Introduction

This application converts typical topgraphic maps into plot data that can be used to build maps for the video game Civilization IV.

Selecting a Map

Overwrite the input/map.jpg file with the topographic map .jpg that you wish to convert.

Included is a example_topographic_map.jpg of Britain that can be used for reference.

Colors

The script interprets red as mountains, yellow as hills, and green as plains when it's converting to Civ4 plot data.

Size

It also creates a tile for each pixel, so it's important to degrade the resolution of your image appropriately. (That way, it doesn't take your warrior taking 750 years to cross the map.) You'll notice that the included Britain map is 128x85 pixels.

Aspect Ratio

A Civ4 map must follow one of the allowed aspect ratios in order to load. It doesn't have to be one of these exact sizes, but it still must follow the same ratio.

e.g. Since an allowed aspect ratio is 8x5, a map can be 800x500.

The standard map sizes and their aspect ratios are as follows:

1. 40x24 (5x3)
2. 52x32 (13x8)
3. 64x40 (8x5)
4. 80x48 (5x3)
5. 100x60 (5x3)
6. 128x80 (8x5)
7. 160x100 (8x5)

Create Plot Data

Generate the plot data and save it to a generated output directory with either of the following commands.

If using Python

1. Run python convert_topographic_map.py.

If using Docker

1. Run docker build -t civ4-map-from-topography ..
2. Run docker run -it --rm --name civ4-map-from-topography -v "/$(pwd)/output:/src/output" civ4-map-from-topography on Mac, or docker run -it --rm --name civ4-map-from-topography -v "C:\Users\<user>\git\civ4-map-from-topography\output:/src/output" civ4-map-from-topography on Windows (replacing <user> with your root user).