olePigeon
Veteran Member
For all you Ultima V fans out there (my favorite of the series.) This one took me a while. My source file for the actual map is about 50 layers or so because it's every glyph + font used on the map. This is the original Apple II version. Since no one ever extracted the tileset for the Apple II version, I had to make it by hand by taking many, many screenshots. I then shaved about 25% of the total work by replacing other auto-generated maps with "patterns" of each of the glyphs. The only problem is that the auto-generated maps will only show "grass," but it doesn't differentiate between all the different glyphs for grass that include things like the shoreline. Same with "shallow water," which includes rivers. But the rivers have 12 different glyphs for each part. So after doing a generic pattern fill, I had to go back in and draw in all the coastal lines, rivers, hills, deserts, and forests, as they all had varying glyphs for their respective terrain types. Took me about a week of work. I started to dream in Ultima V maps after a while :D
However, because each of the individual glyphs have been localized, I can also replace them with other versions such as the C64 and DOS tilesets which have already been extracted. Would still take some time as I'd have to go through all the different layers, but it'd only take me a couple hours versus an entire week.
I couldn't get Illustrator to work correctly given the size of the map file, and it was limited to 300 dpi for raster images. So I composited it using Photoshop. 600 dpi so it doesn't loose the detail of the actual map. Fortunately since it's only 6 colors, it's only 1.6MBs in size despite its gargantuan dimensions.
If you decide to have it printed, let the printer know not to lower the DPI. Keep it at 600. If you drop it any lower it'll start anti-aliasing the map area and it'll look crummy. Make sure to download the actual file. Below is just a preview.
If you like the poster and decide to print one out, I wouldn't mind a donation. Just PM me for my PayPal if you feel like it's worth something to you.
If you would like to see a C64 and/or DOS version, send me a PM. If there's enough interest I'll put one together.
Here is the most up-to-date version.
However, because each of the individual glyphs have been localized, I can also replace them with other versions such as the C64 and DOS tilesets which have already been extracted. Would still take some time as I'd have to go through all the different layers, but it'd only take me a couple hours versus an entire week.
I couldn't get Illustrator to work correctly given the size of the map file, and it was limited to 300 dpi for raster images. So I composited it using Photoshop. 600 dpi so it doesn't loose the detail of the actual map. Fortunately since it's only 6 colors, it's only 1.6MBs in size despite its gargantuan dimensions.
If you decide to have it printed, let the printer know not to lower the DPI. Keep it at 600. If you drop it any lower it'll start anti-aliasing the map area and it'll look crummy. Make sure to download the actual file. Below is just a preview.
If you like the poster and decide to print one out, I wouldn't mind a donation. Just PM me for my PayPal if you feel like it's worth something to you.
If you would like to see a C64 and/or DOS version, send me a PM. If there's enough interest I'll put one together.
Here is the most up-to-date version.
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