Map Editor Guide

Learn to master the legendary tool from your dreams.

Introduction

Alien Shooter (2 and ZS2 too) has a map editor, it wasn't very popular, but you could find it.
I've patched the executable to support large screen resolutions (up to 1920x1080, previously it only worked up to 1280x1024)
This guide will help you learn it.
Alien Shooter (1) Map Editor works with:

• Alien Shooter
  
• Theseus
  
• Crazy Launch

Download:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14oSSoroD1N4S-fQE6j_m8iUkvIxF5dIM/view?usp=sharing

Good To Know

Shooter series rely on single objects defined in objects.res, it is possible to add more if you need them.
Single object can contain many links eg.

   Object #1 --- > Object #2 --- > Object #4
                      |
                      |
                      |
                      v
                      Object #3 

This is important to know when you place new entities on the map, some might appear damaged in mapedit but work just
fine in game.

Each map requires player entity (Object #009 in Objects section) placed at least once.

Each map requires script file (mapname+.lgc) to execute in game, without it, you'll get script errors. Just copy existing .lgc map files.

MapEditor is basically base game but with Windows GUI elements attached, it can be launched in game mode by going to
Options-> Run time.

If you mess up your map and want to reset everything, don't use NEW option from FILE, it won't clear anything.
How to:

• Select OPEN, any files
  
• Open any .lgc/not .map file

Advice: Always use SAVE AS option.

Controls & Buttons

You might want to learn these useful shortcuts instead of pushing buttons.

LEFT CLICK

- Place Object

(Hold & Drag)

- Place Multiple Objects

`

- Toggle Item List

SPACE

- Toggles Object Select Mode

NUM +/ NUM -

- Scrolls Between Objects

SHIFT

- Toggle Move Mode

SHIFT + C

- Center Camera


(move mode && selected)

ARROWS

- Move Object


(selected)

Mouse Scroll UP/DOWN

- Change Object Height

RIGHT CLICK

- Add Move Command to Commands Stack of current object

, .

- Change Object Direction/Rotation

ENTER

- Object Properties

BUTTONS

3x3 Grid - Tile Mode
Wall - Wall Building Mode
X - Delete
Arrow Pushing Down - Toggle Snap Mode (automatically puts objects on highest possible value if placed on each other)
Grass - Floor Tiles
Tree - Props
Tank - Objects
Plane - Special Objects
Rails - No Idea
Window - Menu Elements
[R] - No Idea
OBJ - Toggles Object Select Mode
2 Unknown Items?
Arrow Left - Change Object
Arrow Right - Change Object
Hammer - Options
Ladder(?) - Toggle Item List

Quick Start

Place the executable in Alien Shooter directory, choose your resolution and fire it up!
Select object category from the buttons on the panel, select anything and press left mouse button.


To change map properties go to OPTIONS->Map PropertyGamma sliders change ambient colors of current map, FADE defines "blending" of colors.

Object Properties

From left:
Dropbox - Allows to choose any object from the list
Direction - Allows to precisely change direction
Coor - X Y Z of the Object
Army - Defines which army object belongs to, they have pre set relation values, we'll get into that later.
Behave - Allows to change object behaviour on the map

Del/Ins/Down/Up - Buttons related to command stack building, this guide will not cover that, but you can see how it looks like on existing maps.

Tips'N'Tricks

Stuff to make your life easier.

Easy Floor Building

If you use drag'n'place mode without any switches your floor will look like this, which forces to manually slap extra tiles on empty sectors.

Switch on and recreate your floor.

Nice, isn't it?

How To Play Your Map

Save your map in any place, open "AlienShooter.cfg" (exename.cfg for retail), locate [game]
Add:

StartMap=yourmapfilename

Under it.

Launch the game, it should boot straight to your map.


If it crashed, make sure you have mapname+.lgc near .map file ready!

[KH1O]

I love this editor is there a way to add custom models for weapons or aliens?

[mishalun.2]

Hello! I will answer for the author: you need to move the map editor files to the game folder, then everything will work. Good luck!

[Douche the Bag]

Hey appreciate your comprehensive tutorial on how to use the editor, but I seem to have an issue with actually getting it to work. Immediately after running the executable, the editor launches for a brief moment before shutting itself off again. Did I install it properly just by running the installer executable? Do the editor files need to be installed into the base game folder somewhere? Additionally, the moment the settings window appears after running the launcher, an error file is generated wherever the launcher is located, but I don't understand what the error is about.

[lulu40cdcross]

I can confirm it still works well and files are safe. It was very useful to get rid of survival and have a little more fun with this game.
Thanks a lot for this tool ermaccer, you rule dude! =)

[ermaccer]

Sure, go ahead.

[mishalun.2]

Hi, can I write your guide in Russian? I will point you to the Russian version of the manual.

[Schwarztee]

Thank you, the map editor helped me to grind for the achievements <3