
Dark Overlord's GUI User Manual
===============================
A Dungeon Keeper II Map Generation Utility for use with Mark Kinkead's
DK2 Mapper Map Complier.
* PLEASE NOTE * that this program DOES NOT generate a playable map for
Dungeon Keeper II (DK2), it only generates an ASCII Text Map suitable to
be compiled into a working map using Mark Kinkead's DK2 Mapper program.

DISCLAIMER
==========
I DO NOT warrant this program being suitable for any purpose. Upon installing
this program you do so AT YOUR OWN RISK. If something happens to your system
after you install this program, too bad, don't blame me.
This is UNSUPPORTED software, as I don't have time to answer any questions.
If you wish to send a legitimate bug report or a specfic question NOT covered
in this manual, feel free to do so, but I can't guarentee a reply.

This is FREEWARE, in other words, your not a customer.
I started this Mapper GUI as a help to myself, others that saw it hounded me
to make it publicially available. I am doing so against my better judgement.
I don't have a very good 'social' attitude <smile>, so all I can say to
things like "It dosen't work","I can't get it to work" or "You wrote it, so
you HAVE to help me" is DELETE IT and get on with your life.

"It works here"..and that all 'I' really care about..

This program IS NOT recommended for the computer-illiterate that don't know
how to copy a file or what a 'DOS Promt' is.
Email to the effect of "How do I use it?", "You can't Spell" etc, will be
givin all the time it deserves. None!

SO, That said amd if your still here..on with the manual.

===================
Release 1.0b (beta)
===================
DOES NOT support the newest functions in DK2 Mapper 1.1
HERO-BANDS, HEROES, AREAS, HERO_GATES, TRIGGERS, SCENARIO_DESCRIPTION
But has references to them and works with DK2 Mapper 1.1.
Either the Alpha Version of the full release will support these.

GETTING STARTED
---------------
Ok, I assume you have started up the GUI with no problem and staring at it
wondering whats next.
Surfice it to say if you DON'T use comman sense and follow the restrictions
stated here , it wont work. The is not a bunch of error checking here to make
sure your doing it right.
NOTHING will work very well if you don't load of start a map.

Lets start with a simple new 2 player 50x50 map.
Click the 'NEW' button on the screen.
Enter the Maps Name in the box provided. (ie: Test)
** Do not use an extension like .map - Just the name
** Use only characters A-Z,a-z and 1-9
The '2 player' button is alreay set.
To set the map size click the scroll bars set it to 50 x 50.
Click 'Setup'.

The 'MAP DATA' Grid will fill with different color blocks, see the
color key below to see what they represent. At the moment you have
a 50x50 map that is filled with diggable rock.
This is displaying the TOP LEFT 25x25 blocks of your map.

Below it you will see some smaller blocks marked 'MAP SECTION", this
is the current 25x25 block of the map you are viewing and working on.
Click the block in MAP SECTION directly to the right.
The display will show the next 25x25 block section, since this is a
50x50 map you will see the Map Border for the end of the map.
Click the block to the left to go back to where you were.

CURSOR POSITION
---------------
Click anywhere on a 'MAP DATA' Block, you will notice that the Cursor
Postion in X,Y coordinate notation will change to where the cursor is.
Unfortunatly due to programming issue, the block will not be highlighted.
As you move around, look in the 'Current Cell Details' box, this will show
you all the information known about that block.

EXECUTING AN EDITING COMMAND
----------------------------
This basically works with any command you will see in the 'Command List'
that will show during editing.
Right now you ARE NOT in Edit mode.
Click the checkbox that says 'Editing Mode is OFF'
** NO EDITING ** can take place unless this is ON!
It will change stating editing mode is 'On'.

Let execute a command to add some solid rock to the upper left of our
map.
Click the 'Radio Button' that says 'BASIC TERRAIN'
In the 'Command List' you will see a list of commands.
Click on 'Place Solid Rock'
*** IMPORTANT ***
Make sure below the 'Command List' it says 'Command Selected'.
Move the mouse onto the MAP DATA Grid and click on the first BROWN top left
cell. The Cursor Position should read X:1 Y:1
Press the 'spacebar' key.

If all was selected right as above, the block should change to the color
shown for SOLID ROCK.
Click on thar cell again and the 'Current Cell Details' should state
'Solid Rock - No Tunneling'

Add a few more at positions X:1,Y:2 and X:2 Y:1
ALL editing is done the same way as you just did

Lets add a row of gems under the solid rock.
Click 'Place Gem Square' in the Command List
Move to X:1, Y:3 - Press the space bar
Move to X:2, Y:2 - Press the space bar
Move to X:3, Y:1 - Press the space bar

Ok!, No a VERY IMPORTANT NOTE...You can mess things up if you don't
ahere to the following!

Click "NEUTRAL TERRAIN ITEMS" Button
NOTICE that below the command list it says '* NO * Command Selected'.
** ANYTIME ** you click on ANYTHING other than the MAP DATA grid you
deselect the editing command.
PRESSING THE SPACEBAR now will activate the last thing you clicked on.
To see what I mean..press the space bar now.
You will see you are 'clicking' the NEUTRAL TERAIN ITEMS button.

Click "Claimed Square" in the Commands List Box.
You will see at the bottom of it 'Command Selected'.
If you press the 'spacebar' now you will add that item to the map at the
coordinates show by the Cursor Position X,Y.

All the Map Editing commands work the same way.
You should use common sense on placing items, like placing a thing in the
center of a Dungeon Heart will probubly crash the game.

Speaking of Dungeon Hearts. THESE are a special editing item.
To Place a Dungeon heart.
1.) Click on the MAP DATA grid to set the postion of the where the
UPPER LEFT CORNER of the Heart will be (ALL dungeon hearts are a 5x5 square
block)
2.) Click the 'Set Dungeon Heart' for the keeper you wish.

IE: Set the Cursor Position to X:4 Y:4 but clicking on the MAP DATA Grid
at that position.
Click on the "1" button under 'Set Dungeon Heart'.
This sets the Dungeon Heart on the map for Player #1.

The following Information below between the "*" is only of use to those that
have experience writing maps in ASCII for DK Mapper.
****************************************************************************
DK2GUI automatically select the next available map character, when it
encounters an edit item requireing one. Above the Map Command listings it
states "Item Descriptors Available", this is how many characters it has left
to chose from. Clicking LIST will show all the currently assigned characters.
****************************************************************************

PLACING DOORS,THINGS,TRAPS and CREATURES
========================================
Placing of these items is exactly the same as placing terrain items.
Most are self explanatory.
On the MAP DATA GRID:
A BOLD '#' denotes a Door
A BOLD 'X' denotes a Thing
A BOLD '%' denotes a Trap
and a BOLD '@' denotes a creature

The is no way to change the above once they are placed without deleting
the item in question.

FILLING AN AREA.
================
You can fill a stated area with any TERRAIN item.
'5x5' button : To make quick rooms enter the TOP LEFT CORNER of the room
in the 'UP LEFT' boxes next to the FILL Button and press the '5x5' button
a 5x5 room square filled with that attribute will be created at that position

By entering values in the 'UP LEFT' box and the "LO RGHT' box and clicking
the FILL button you can fill an area with a desired attribute.

LOADING SAVED GUI MAPS
----------------------
GUI Maps are saved as the exact ASCII File use by DK2 Mapper to generate the
map.
** IT WILL NOT LOAD ** other ASCII Maps with out first converting them to
depict the code used in DK2GUI, I am working on a convertor at this time.

To have a nosy around a small 150x150 map, click LOAD, go to the DK2GUI
Maps directory and 'Double Click' on 'just_playin.gui'

This is a totally unbalanced working 4 player map. Keeper 1 has MASSIVE
advantages.

All other functions in DK2GUI are self-running or self-explainatory
Check the Menu at the top of the form, if something dosent do anything
it means I havent gotten around to it yet.

You can check my web sites File Directory for current upgrades.

Cheers
Dark Overlord
http://dk2.nzwl.org.nz/
overlord@nzwl.org.nz































































































