Introducing SAMM -=[A FREE Mini-Map in the style of UOAM]=- {Update 10/12/16}

*****
10/29
As of R35, SAMM is not tracking. This is due to some fundamental changes in the way SOTA reports the player data. I will have an update out to resolve this issue and address several others by the end of the week.

Thank you for your continued support and patience.

RLM
Elryin Silvertree
*****
10/21
The Website is back up and running.

*****
10/19
Currently the site is down... please use the download links available in this post until I can get the site back up.

Thanks,

RLM
Elryin Silvertree
******

****UPDATE****
Unfortunately I am not here to tell you that there is a new version of the SotA Mini-Map... At least not one I would call released... So instead, I am calling it a BETA!

Additionally, from this point forward, all correspondence regarding the SotA Mini-Map will take place on our new website. (Hosted on a slow POS of a server in the basement of the one web host in the nation that is still on dialup)

We appreciate your patience with any issues you have while attempting to retrieve the program or visit our site while we work out this web host issue.

Currently the site is crude and incomplete, but give me some time and I will make some steady progress (slow, but steady)... It's just me over here...

The downloads in this post will remain active for a while and I will make sure to come back to the forums to announce any major new features (like auto changing maps...).

Come give us a visit at the new site!

Thank you all for your support

Royal Lord Marshal
Elryin Silvertree

***********************************************

Good Day my fellow travelers,

I am Royal Lord Marshal Elryin Silvertree. Founder of the Silvertree Society, the Silvertree Consortium, and The New Brittanian Fighters League.

Through the Silvertree Community Group, I have worked over the last several months to bring you the first working Mini-Map program for Shroud of the Avatar...

There are a lot of features that are still being worked on and fine tuned, so some functionality may appear as if it is available, but unfortunately it may not be functioning.

This program is very basic and at this point in time it is still in development (should be nothing new to you guys) so it's a little rough, not full featured, and limited to only a few select maps.

They are as follows: -=[Updated 9/30]=-

Spoiler

NOVIA Overworld
Ardoris
Brittany Alleys
Brittany Central
Brittany Fields
Brittany Wharfs
East Reach Gap (Not Tracking Properly)

HIDDEN VALE Overworld
Braemar
Owls'Head

Don't worry though, more maps are coming soon. First on the horizon are: -=[Updated 9/29]=-

Spoiler

-=[Novia]=-
Aerie
Brittany Estates
East Reach Gap
Etceter
Nightshade Pass
Resolute
Sanctus Spine
Solania
Soltown
Spite
Superstition Canyon
Vauban Pass
Vertas Pass


-=[Hidden Vale]=-
Kingsport
Northshire
Owl's Nest Mine
Ravensmoor
Wanton's Folly
Ruined Keep

Features to look forward to in the future: -=[Updated 9/29]=-

Spoiler

Opacity Control
Updater
Client/Server - Allow up to 25 players to connect and share locations and other info
Don't Track Player
Map Positioning (when not tracking)
Resize map when in Borderless
User defined labels
Waypoints (with/without vector display)
Auto Switching Maps (dependant on Portalarium supplying necessary data)

Though I have not confirmed this (don't have a Linux box setup right now) it is possible that this app is supported in Linux using mono... In the coming weeks, I will setup a box and try to do a full port... Stay tuned.

SotA Mini-Map (SAMM):

Spoiler: Program

The installer is pretty basic, though it does require administrator privileges to run.

The "I use Steam" and "Launch When Complete" options are functional... (sort of)... The launch feature definitely works, but the Steam option may only work if you have steam installed on the C:\ drive and have not messed with its folder/path structure (even then, it may still not work).


This installer could take a significant amount of time depending on the size of your program files directory and the speed of your HDD/System... Be patient, it will finish (its searching for the install dir of SOTA)...

The installer will automatically create a new folder called "SAMM" in the directory it was executed from.


Currently there is no uninstaller... So if you decide you "don't want this POS on your computer anymore", just delete the SAMM folder (located wherever you executed the installer from).

The programs Executable is located in the SAMM directory, however if you accidentally launch the installer when you already have the program installed, it will offer you the option to launch the program.


SotA Mini-Map Main:
If you have SOTA installed in the default directory the installer should automatically select the install directory for you, if it is not, then you will have to select the game directory before you will be able to use the program.

You will be prompted...

The path you are looking for is the Shroud of the Avatar folder (or wherever the CurrentPlayerData.txt file is located). For me it was "D:\Program Files (x86)\Portalarium\Shroud of the Avatar".


Well here she is in all her glory... Ok... it's nothing spectacular, but it works.

There may be some areas of some maps that simply just do not match up... there are several reasons for this but most of them are out of my control completely. For the most part however, the maps are remarkably accurate considering the amount of time I had to put into acquiring and then modifying them to work...

If you notice a major difference in the location between bordered and borderless modes, please feel free to use the feedback link located in the help menu and let me know with as much detail as you can.



Holding CTRL and Left Clicking on the map will cause it to go into "borderless" mode (image shown below also has the menu hidden).

When the menu is hidden, a Right Click on the map will show the menu.

Try not to zoom in past 30 or out past -8 as it will most likely crash the program (future bug fix).


SotA Mini-Map Settings:
In the settings you will see a few options, all of them work except for "Remember Location". This will be one of the first things fixed going forward, because as you will soon learn, it can get rather annoying without it.

So now I want to say thank you to everyone over at SotaMap.com for the excellent maps and Dame Lori for the Runic Font used in this program.

Spoiler: Thank You

So where can you get such a wonderful program you ask?

Well you can get the download from right here:

Spoiler: Download

Well you will be able to... as soon as I am given an OK from someone at Portalarium

[UPDATE] - Good News.... I got an informal OK from Berek... So I will have the installer link up later today (after I get home from work) after I fix a small bug that he noticed...

[UPDATE] - I have made an adjustment to the program to fix (I hope) the inability to close the program if using the File menu...

Without further ado...
-=[Old versions will be archived and the link removed 24hrs after a new version is made available.]=-
SotA Mini-Map v2.1.5.1

SotA Mini-Map v2.1.5.6

SotA Mini-Map v2.1.6.0

SotA Mini-Map v2.1.6.1

Spoiler: Change Log

v2.1.5.6 -> v2.1.6.0
Maps
I will Update this tomorrow...

v2.1.5.1 -> v2.1.5.6

Fixed - Never ending box issue (I hope... Again...)
Fixed - Auto install for D:\ drive installations
Fixed - Not being able to enter the install dir upon first install
Fixed - Auto install wrong path name if using Steam
Changed the way the program handles settings changes

Added Uninstall Feature to the installer

Started adding Opacity control.

I will update/edit this post as more information is available... Please stay tuned...

Thanks,

Royal Lord Marshal
Elryin Silvertree

@Berek @Lord British @DarkStarr

 

Unable to close down settings menu when game isn't launched, selecting "save and exit" just pops up error boxes quickly in succession when trying to click the "can't find player location" message shut (after that a blank map pops up then come many, many error boxes).

Have to close using task manager, first time was able to close it from applications tab but second time I tried this I had to find process in process list to close because it wasn't listed in applications tab

 

Thanks lollie.

I am working on this as we speak... this is part of the issue Berek found I think...

By chance are you using Steam?
What is the path that you have set for the SOTA install dir?

Also feel free to use the feedback option if you can launch the program and have setup a default email service for Windows, or shoot me an email to sota.minimap@gmail.com if not

 

Yes I'm using Steam, and the path is default path (which the installer automatically found as it was written in settings without me having to add it).

C - program files (x86) - etc

 

Looks nice so far.

Hidden Vale, Novia , Ardoris worked extremely nice

Problems with the map in Owl's head tho. don't sync up properly.

 

I am still working on the scaling (the later maps have a different scaling model so they are better... except for Ardoris that one is kinda sloppy)...

Try it in borderless mode (or bordered if you are already borderless) scaling is different...

I will move all the maps over to the new model tomorrow as well as add several more maps.

 

No worries A+++ on the release!! Looking forward to seeing this grow!

 

Woot ! More map porn !
Truly amazing. Congratulations and thanks Elryin ... and Jakub !
I hit the "like" button, but if there was a "lick" button I'd be lapping

 

This looks really really good.

Would amazing if a future feature could see multiple players logging in showing locations and tags (like uo cartographer/automap)

 

Looking good, issue with error boxes gone!

 

Thanks.

I am currently looking into creating the client/server relationship for this. It is a ways off still especially considering the rough state and limited feature list that I currently have, but it is on my radar!

 

Finally, a mini-map that has the spirit of UOAM. I am helping Elryin develop this map program, and more features are yet to come. Always creating this program in the image of the old UOAM program. It is a work in progress, but it will get where it needs to be. Please leave feedback for us so we may keep adding more features the community wants, and fix bugs as they are discovered.

 

Ok so.. I LOVE IT !

Comments are:

Map resizing is not possible in borderless mode.
Possible to drag and move the map in the box?
And i'm sure it's on the list but auto detect map change would be great

Keep up the GREAT WORK!

I'm guessing you guys won't mind if we tell folks about his on NBNN

Laz

 

Thank you for the Kind words and the feedback.

Point 1, this is a limitation created by the Windows form architecture (I will look into a workaround).
Point 2, This is also something I want to do. I have some of the supporting code written, just have to get some other things taken care of first... (namely, more maps)
Point 3, This requires some changes to the CurrentPlayerData.txt file from @Portalarium ... I am hoping the new release brings this with it...

Please tell everyone about this program... Especially new players.

Oh and just so everyone knows, by the end of the week I plan to have all of the starting cities in as well.

I will also be posting a new version later today with more maps and some scaling fixes for some existing maps.

 

The new update is posted... I will post a change log tomorrow, but it is mostly just maps and related stuff...

a couple of the maps might be off in either bordered or borderless mode... or both... I will put up a new update with a new set of maps, probably tomorrow about the same time...

 

The newest version of SAMM is available in the download section of the main post.

Unfortunately yesterday I had a bank of RAM fail, on top of some trouble with downloading the game and was not able to get all the maps that I wanted in. In fact I was only able to update Ardoris to make the tracking more accurate to match the rest of the maps. Now all of the available maps (except East Reach Gap) should be properly tracking.

I have been set back a day or so, but I still plan on getting the starting cities in tonight... Additionally, I will be putting up a new website to give SAMM a better platform from which to reach the public. Like the map program itself, the site will be a little rough at first, but given a little time it will get better.

There will be some more exciting news coming in the near future...

Stay tuned!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Royal Lord Marshal
Elryin Silvertree

 

So I think I may have the server stuff working... Check the OP for more info...

Also if you let me know which maps would be best for you, and if you might be willing to escort me in the areas (if they are real nasty [4+ skulls]) when I configure the maps, I might be able to expedite the process... (once the starting cities are done).

 

@Elryin Silvertree @coder1024 So I've just noticed today there are mutliple different map projects. Seems like it would be more efficient to all work together on one open source project instead of three separate projects especially since it seems like you guys have the similar goals. Also @Umuri probably has feature cross over as well. Anyways, I look forward to the progress on all three projects but would much rather see a more efficient faster combined effort. On a different note hopefully, the SotA devs can make those changes to the location output file that we need to actually make these kinds of tools work better. Anyways, I look forward to see how this progresses.

@Elryin Silvertree what language are you using to make SAMM? So far I got it to "install" but when I try to open it nothing happens.

 

Thanks for checking it out @Link_of_Hyrule. To touch on your points a bit if I may...

I have not spoken with any of the other community members but I would love to work with them. As of right now I am the only one working on SAMM and the WebSite, and the Forum, and.... well you get the picture... I do have one person that is helping with getting maps and doing some testing for me (but he is on vacation for 2 weeks), other than that, it's just me. I am sure a collaboration of all the skills and talents would benefit the community the most.

I am always reachable via email to talk about combining our efforts.

To answer your other question (about SAMM)...
I wrote it in C# using Visual Studio 2013 Pro. It is a WinForm project.

If you send me an email with a more in depth description of your scenario I will see if I can track down the issue... If you can include the version of SAMM, OS, if you use steam, the directory your CurrentPlayerData.txt is in, and where you installed the program from... Also what are you doing to launch it now that it is installed (i.e. did you run the SotA Mini-Map.exe or did you launch it from the installer (SAMM Installer.exe)

 

Thanks for your quick reply. I'm going to try and get your tool working later today. It was pretty late last night when I was trying it.

I hope you took no offense to my post as I'm sure you put a lot of work into this project.

@coder1024's map tool is also C# and made in Visual Studio so it seems like you guys could figure something out. I think he would definitely be willing to work together. Also, you can find the source here https://github.com/coderx400/sota-mapper