How to share your maps with the world.

[Sir Dendrik]

Hello map making community, I've been having a problem making a PDF file for my maps:

I render the map into 3D and then print using CutePDF. A small box comes up to indicate printing has initiated, and it appears in front of the 3D map.

Here's the problem: When the PDF file is created, the 3D picture of the map still has that dialogue box in front of it, effectively covering the 3D rendering.

Has anyone else experienced this and/or does anyone know how to fix this?

A thousand thank yous.

 

[lefton4ya]

Look a few posts back Sir Dendrik

It's the dialog generated by the PDF printer. The one that says now printing page 1...2...3...etc. It appears centered on the monitor, and when VS goes to grab the screenshot for the PDF, that dialog is centered on the map, thereby causing it to be in the finished PDF file.

icebear77, I have asked Zzzzz, the creator of VirtualScape, and his answer is here.
In short, the best and fastest way to fix the problem is to render your map in 3D and print from the 3D screen. Let me know if it works .

That problem still occurs, but if I grab the dialog quick enough to drag it off the screen, it works fine. I just have to be quick.

Thanks for assisting me. Maybe Zzzz will get it fixed in the next release.

I was having the same problem as icebear77 and the answer given in the link from Longheroscaper wasn't working for me so I kept plugging away at it and I came up with something that did work for me.

Windows XP:
-Select the "Start" button
-Open "Printers & Faxes"
-Right click on "CutePDF Writer"
-Select "Properties"
-Select "Advanced"
-Select "Print directly to the printer" radio button (This should uncheck "Spool print doc. so program finishes printing faster")
-Select "Apply" button
-Select "OK" button
Note: This will effectively freeze the printer prompt windows in place allowing you time to move them before the program takes a snap shot of your image for the PDF.

VirtualScape: (Have both the 2D window and 3D image window open)
-Select "File"
-Select "Print"
-Select "CutePDF Writer" from the drop-down box if it isn't already.
-Select "OK" button
*The "Save As" window will appear - DO NOTHING at this time except drag the window to the side.
**Take the "VirtualScape" window that was behind the "Save As" window & move it completely off the screen.
***Minimize the VirtualScape program window.
****NOW, go back to the "Save As" window, enter a file name, and select "Save".

Your new PDF has now been created, saved, and, hopefully, without any unwanted windows in the middle of your images. If the VS part doesn't work the first time, try it again. Every once in a while it doesn't take the first time for some reason. I hope this helped.

 

[Griffin]

Hello map making community, I've been having a problem making a PDF file for my maps:

I render the map into 3D and then print using CutePDF. A small box comes up to indicate printing has initiated, and it appears in front of the 3D map.

Here's the problem: When the PDF file is created, the 3D picture of the map still has that dialogue box in front of it, effectively covering the 3D rendering.

Has anyone else experienced this and/or does anyone know how to fix this?

A thousand thank yous.

That always happens to me to, and I don't know how to stop it, so I just prepare for it and then paint it out later with Gimp or Microsoft Paint.

 

[Griffin]

Thanks for the Lefty.

 

[Griffin]

OK, here is my question then: I recently started using the lap top while my wife uses the desk top, and now when I take pics of high quality maps, the entire map goes black. What can I do?

 

[Sir Dendrik]

Thanks for your help, everyone.

 

[xraine69]

OK, here is my question then: I recently started using the lap top while my wife uses the desk top, and now when I take pics of high quality maps, the entire map goes black. What can I do?

Mine does too. It has to do with the video card I believe.

 

[Griffin]

OK, here is my question then: I recently started using the lap top while my wife uses the desk top, and now when I take pics of high quality maps, the entire map goes black. What can I do?

Mine does too. It has to do with the video card I believe.

I believe you are right.

 

[Typhon2222]

I've just installed VirtualScape, and I have to say, it's amazing.

Only one question: is it possible to change the grid orientation of the hexes? As it is now, the grid is so arranged that straight lines of hexes run horizontally. Can this be rotated, so that the straight lines run vertically instead?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Cavalier]

I've just installed VirtualScape, and I have to say, it's amazing.

Only one question: is it possible to change the grid orientation of the hexes? As it is now, the grid is so arranged that straight lines of hexes run horizontally. Can this be rotated, so that the straight lines run vertically instead?

Thanks in advance.

Nope. But when you preview the map, you can rotate it.

 

[Typhon2222]

Thanks Cav.

Have ordered 14 of your Lexan mats within the last week, by the way. Gotta have duplicates!

 

[Typhon2222]

Me again, I'm afraid, with another question.

Whenever I use the print command, along with the CutePDF application, to create a PDF of the building instructions, the 3D "photo" of the map which appears on the first page is always marred by the Print dialog box, which somehow makes it into the PDF.

For example, see the first page of these building instructions: http://www.heroscapers.com/community/downloads.php?do=file&id=2931

How do I keep the blasted thing out?!

 

[Arcus]

Me again, I'm afraid, with another question.

Whenever I use the print command, along with the CutePDF application, to create a PDF of the building instructions, the 3D "photo" of the map which appears on the first page is always marred by the Print dialog box, which somehow makes it into the PDF.

For example, see the first page of these building instructions: http://www.heroscapers.com/community/downloads.php?do=file&id=2931

How do I keep the blasted thing out?!

I downloaded some of your maps today, and I noticed the same thing. I worked out a "work-around" for this issue on page 8 of this thread. I hope it works for you. I've been look for this info all day to send it to you and when I finally found it, here you are posting that very question. The irony....

 

[Typhon2222]

Me again, I'm afraid, with another question.

Whenever I use the print command, along with the CutePDF application, to create a PDF of the building instructions, the 3D "photo" of the map which appears on the first page is always marred by the Print dialog box, which somehow makes it into the PDF.

For example, see the first page of these building instructions: http://www.heroscapers.com/community/downloads.php?do=file&id=2931

How do I keep the blasted thing out?!

I downloaded some of your maps today, and I noticed the same thing. I worked out a "work-around" for this issue on page 8 of this thread. I hope it works for you. I've been look for this info all day to send it to you and when I finally found it, here you are posting that very question. The irony....

Arcus, you're a wonder and a marvel! Thanks so much for thinking of me, and for having written that beautifully detailed set of instructions on page 8 in the first place.

Edit: Drats! I just tried to give you some rep points, but the system tells me I need to spread the love around further before giving to you again.

 

[Arcus]

Me again, I'm afraid, with another question.

Whenever I use the print command, along with the CutePDF application, to create a PDF of the building instructions, the 3D "photo" of the map which appears on the first page is always marred by the Print dialog box, which somehow makes it into the PDF.

For example, see the first page of these building instructions: http://www.heroscapers.com/community/downloads.php?do=file&id=2931

How do I keep the blasted thing out?!

I downloaded some of your maps today, and I noticed the same thing. I worked out a "work-around" for this issue on page 8 of this thread. I hope it works for you. I've been look for this info all day to send it to you and when I finally found it, here you are posting that very question. The irony....

Arcus, you're a wonder and a marvel! Thanks so much for thinking of me, and for having written that beautifully detailed set of instructions on page 8 in the first place.

Edit: Drats! I just tried to give you some rep points, but the system tells me I need to spread the love around further before giving to you again.

My pleasure and thanks for trying!

 

[Typhon2222]

It's the dialog generated by the PDF printer. The one that says now printing page 1...2...3...etc. It appears centered on the monitor, and when VS goes to grab the screenshot for the PDF, that dialog is centered on the map, thereby causing it to be in the finished PDF file.

icebear77, I have asked Zzzzz, the creator of VirtualScape, and his answer is here.
In short, the best and fastest way to fix the problem is to render your map in 3D and print from the 3D screen. Let me know if it works .

That problem still occurs, but if I grab the dialog quick enough to drag it off the screen, it works fine. I just have to be quick.

Thanks for assisting me. Maybe Zzzz will get it fixed in the next release.

I was having the same problem as icebear77 and the answer given in the link from Longheroscaper wasn't working for me so I kept plugging away at it and I came up with something that did work for me.

Windows XP:
-Select the "Start" button
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Your new PDF has now been created, saved, and, hopefully, without any unwanted windows in the middle of your images. If the VS part doesn't work the first time, try it again. Every once in a while it doesn't take the first time for some reason. I hope this helped.

Arcus, I finally got around to trying this trick, and it worked PERFECTLY. No more unwanted print-dialog windows in my build instructions.

 

[lefton4ya]

Came up elsewhere, but if you use google picassa and want to put images from there to here, it is difficult, so I figure I'd post the instructions here:

In picasa web, pull up a photo, then click "Link to this photo" on the right, then check "Image only (no link)", and select your size of your image, then copy the Embed image link and put on a thread by pressing the

button and then pasting the embed image link. Unfortunately there is no way to embed high-res images from picasa to anywhere, but you can link to picasa web version of your image for high res by copying the "Link" from picass web and pasting in the

box.

 

[Shockma Ranyk]

Just used this to start my map thread, and it was great! Thanks, LongHeroscaper!

 

[Shockma Ranyk]

How do I get a picture of my map on the first page of the download PDF? I can't for the life of me remember how I did it the first time.

 

[Carnival Man]

It's the dialog generated by the PDF printer. The one that says now printing page 1...2...3...etc. It appears centered on the monitor, and when VS goes to grab the screenshot for the PDF, that dialog is centered on the map, thereby causing it to be in the finished PDF file.

icebear77, I have asked Zzzzz, the creator of VirtualScape, and his answer is here.
In short, the best and fastest way to fix the problem is to render your map in 3D and print from the 3D screen. Let me know if it works .

That problem still occurs, but if I grab the dialog quick enough to drag it off the screen, it works fine. I just have to be quick.

Thanks for assisting me. Maybe Zzzz will get it fixed in the next release.

I was having the same problem as icebear77 and the answer given in the link from Longheroscaper wasn't working for me so I kept plugging away at it and I came up with something that did work for me.

Windows XP:
-Select the "Start" button
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Your new PDF has now been created, saved, and, hopefully, without any unwanted windows in the middle of your images. If the VS part doesn't work the first time, try it again. Every once in a while it doesn't take the first time for some reason. I hope this helped.

Arcus, I finally got around to trying this trick, and it worked PERFECTLY. No more unwanted print-dialog windows in my build instructions.

Bah! I've tried several times to print out a map with an unfouled cover picture but each time I minimize the program & hit save I get the image of whatever is up in the background (a slice of HS'ers, or my desktop, etc.) It seems simple enough but I can't make it work.

 

[The CEE]

As an inexperienced map maker, I found this thread to be an excellent guide and a very handy resource. I commend you, LongHeroscaper, for the time and effort you put into this. However, after reading through the first post multiple times I still do not understand how to insert a 3D picture of a map into the first page of the building instructions. Any help someone could give me would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mad_wookiee]

As an inexperienced map maker, I found this thread to be an excellent guide and a very handy resource. I commend you, LongHeroscaper, for the time and effort you put into this. However, after reading through the first post multiple times I still do not understand how to insert a 3D picture of a map into the first page of the building instructions. Any help someone could give me would be greatly appreciated.

The easiest way is to simply have the image that you want on the front page open in VS when you print the map. VS will render that image when the map is printed. An alternative way that's a bit more complicated but gives imho better results is to export the image to a file, add your title and any caption that you want directly in the image using a program like gimp, and then print both the image and the build instructions into one file.

 

[The CEE]

As an inexperienced map maker, I found this thread to be an excellent guide and a very handy resource. I commend you, LongHeroscaper, for the time and effort you put into this. However, after reading through the first post multiple times I still do not understand how to insert a 3D picture of a map into the first page of the building instructions. Any help someone could give me would be greatly appreciated.

The easiest way is to simply have the image that you want on the front page open in VS when you print the map. VS will render that image when the map is printed. An alternative way that's a bit more complicated but gives imho better results is to export the image to a file, add your title and any caption that you want directly in the image using a program like gimp, and then print both the image and the build instructions into one file.

Is it possible for you to go into more detail on this step? I am not familiar with how to do this.

 

[Shockma Ranyk]

As an inexperienced map maker, I found this thread to be an excellent guide and a very handy resource. I commend you, LongHeroscaper, for the time and effort you put into this. However, after reading through the first post multiple times I still do not understand how to insert a 3D picture of a map into the first page of the building instructions. Any help someone could give me would be greatly appreciated.

The easiest way is to simply have the image that you want on the front page open in VS when you print the map. VS will render that image when the map is printed. An alternative way that's a bit more complicated but gives imho better results is to export the image to a file, add your title and any caption that you want directly in the image using a program like gimp, and then print both the image and the build instructions into one file.

So all you have to do is print the pdf file when you also have a window open with a picture of the map? That seems a little too simple and I don't get how that would work.

 

[mad_wookiee]

What pdf converter are you using?