Hey, just thought a bit: why not use general Neverwinter wiki to post our helpfull stuff? I took the liberty of posting an article of known issues on foundry (you can edit it of course!): http://neverwinter.gamepedia.com/Known_issues_with_Foundry
I also linked it in the main article about quest making: http://neverwinter.gamepedia.com/Foundry_quick_start
But there are many more articles that could be improved. Be sure to check them out and fill with details.
If you aren't willing to put 1000+ details into an outdoor map, please don't use a blank starter map -- use a Detailed map and add appropriate stuff to personalize it.
I forget the precise name, but there is a 'rocky cliff' large block that is great for creating different surfaces or blocking off parts of your map. Change the angles a bit to create inclines. It's a little blocky looking, but with other details it can seem fairly natural part of the landscape.
If players are going to be high up, be aware that it's easy to start seeing gaps in the terrain and the edge of the sky box. First try to see if any of the 'horizon' Backdrop elements will help.
If not:
Use Water Plane - 1000x1000, turn it 90 degrees to make a wall. Place it to cut off the ugly parts of the edge of the world.
Use Fog backdrop element. If you don't want the fog element to be all that noticeable, use 'very light.'
This will turn the Water Plane into a solid color, based on whatever fog you are picking.
The effect will cause the ground horizon to fade to whatever color fog, and extend up to a much more stable line against the sky.
You can use a fog detail instead of backdrop for high towers, if you don't want to use the effect at ground level. Blue MIGHT work for that sense of 'stuff lost in the distance haze.'
Campaign: The Fenwick Cycle NWS-DKR9GB7KH
Wicks and Things: NW-DI4FMZRR4 : The Fenwick merchant family has lost a caravan! Can you help?
Beggar's Hollow: NW-DR6YG4J2L : Someone, or something, has stolen away many of the Fenwicks' children! Can you find out what happened to them?
Into the Fen Wood: NW-DL89DRG7B : Enter the heart of the forest. Can you discover the secret of the Fen Wood?
0
zovyaMember, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Hero Users, Neverwinter Guardian Users, Neverwinter Knight of the Feywild UsersPosts: 0Arc User
edited June 2013
Nice tips Zahinder. I have a large map with this problem. Going to try some of these ideas.
Don't know if this one is mentioned, but for one way patrols just add an extra patrol point to the final patrol point, adjust it's X or Z value by 2 points and the patroller will turn and face whatever direction you want at the end of its patrol. Kind of basic but often overlooked.
Basically, you can add 'map markers' and soft objectives by placing Contact NPCs with appropriate names.
Recommended approach:
Be sure to mention to the player at some point that you have map markers, particularly if a soft objective is launched (like 'hunt along the red trail for a stealthy approach to Mount Doomydoom')
Place the NPC at -10 terrain, place an invisible 5' cube at -15 terrain. Be sure to set the NPC Contact, ignore-all.
This marker is only visible within 250 feet of the player.
You can do all sorts of things this way -- like if you are trying to unlock an elaborate door as a sidequest, you could have a contact say 'Find the red button' and you do that, then once you do, the Component Completion or Dialog makes first map marker invisible and makes 'Connect red button to blue lever' visible.
Or... whatever.
Alternatively, you could mark different houses on a map.
Campaign: The Fenwick Cycle NWS-DKR9GB7KH
Wicks and Things: NW-DI4FMZRR4 : The Fenwick merchant family has lost a caravan! Can you help?
Beggar's Hollow: NW-DR6YG4J2L : Someone, or something, has stolen away many of the Fenwicks' children! Can you find out what happened to them?
Into the Fen Wood: NW-DL89DRG7B : Enter the heart of the forest. Can you discover the secret of the Fen Wood?
Comments
I know, it's rebumpulous isn't it?
Act 1: Nightmare on Market Street
Act 2: My Best Friend's Evil Wedding
http://neverwinter.gamepedia.com/Known_issues_with_Foundry
I also linked it in the main article about quest making:
http://neverwinter.gamepedia.com/Foundry_quick_start
But there are many more articles that could be improved. Be sure to check them out and fill with details.
Siegebreaker - NW-DGDPWV2U5 - story about the ambush, escape and great rescue of the city.
I'm a streamer and I know it!
Post can be deleted. Problem too complex, will post in separate thread.
Now featured!
'A wayward child' is currently taken down for upgrades
If you aren't willing to put 1000+ details into an outdoor map, please don't use a blank starter map -- use a Detailed map and add appropriate stuff to personalize it.
I forget the precise name, but there is a 'rocky cliff' large block that is great for creating different surfaces or blocking off parts of your map. Change the angles a bit to create inclines. It's a little blocky looking, but with other details it can seem fairly natural part of the landscape.
If players are going to be high up, be aware that it's easy to start seeing gaps in the terrain and the edge of the sky box. First try to see if any of the 'horizon' Backdrop elements will help.
If not:
Use Water Plane - 1000x1000, turn it 90 degrees to make a wall. Place it to cut off the ugly parts of the edge of the world.
Use Fog backdrop element. If you don't want the fog element to be all that noticeable, use 'very light.'
This will turn the Water Plane into a solid color, based on whatever fog you are picking.
The effect will cause the ground horizon to fade to whatever color fog, and extend up to a much more stable line against the sky.
You can use a fog detail instead of backdrop for high towers, if you don't want to use the effect at ground level. Blue MIGHT work for that sense of 'stuff lost in the distance haze.'
Wicks and Things: NW-DI4FMZRR4 : The Fenwick merchant family has lost a caravan! Can you help?
Beggar's Hollow: NW-DR6YG4J2L : Someone, or something, has stolen away many of the Fenwicks' children! Can you find out what happened to them?
Into the Fen Wood: NW-DL89DRG7B : Enter the heart of the forest. Can you discover the secret of the Fen Wood?
Sticky?
Hope I will accomplish to get it online... servers seem to have problems again. Gosh... I fear to loose all my work or something.
A CURIOUS DISAPPEARANCE by Sphecida: NW-DDLEOFL2Q
A CRY UNANSWERED by obsidianw0lf: NW-DGNBAX3RD
SIEGEBREAKER by ash4all: NW-DGDPWV2U5
Siegebreaker - NW-DGDPWV2U5 - story about the ambush, escape and great rescue of the city.
I'm a streamer and I know it!
Basically, you can add 'map markers' and soft objectives by placing Contact NPCs with appropriate names.
Recommended approach:
Be sure to mention to the player at some point that you have map markers, particularly if a soft objective is launched (like 'hunt along the red trail for a stealthy approach to Mount Doomydoom')
Place the NPC at -10 terrain, place an invisible 5' cube at -15 terrain. Be sure to set the NPC Contact, ignore-all.
This marker is only visible within 250 feet of the player.
You can do all sorts of things this way -- like if you are trying to unlock an elaborate door as a sidequest, you could have a contact say 'Find the red button' and you do that, then once you do, the Component Completion or Dialog makes first map marker invisible and makes 'Connect red button to blue lever' visible.
Or... whatever.
Alternatively, you could mark different houses on a map.
Wicks and Things: NW-DI4FMZRR4 : The Fenwick merchant family has lost a caravan! Can you help?
Beggar's Hollow: NW-DR6YG4J2L : Someone, or something, has stolen away many of the Fenwicks' children! Can you find out what happened to them?
Into the Fen Wood: NW-DL89DRG7B : Enter the heart of the forest. Can you discover the secret of the Fen Wood?