GIMP Map Making for Dummys

GIMP is free to download and has handled just about everything I've thrown at it. I made my banner with it, for example. It has proved to be a very powerful tool for all my image editing needs. I tried to simplify this tutorial as best as I could. Starting off, I was very eager to make maps and having to learn everything step by step was about as frustrating as someone collapsing that tower of mine. Ten steps is sort of a lot, but I'll try to keep away from the technical jargon and make it as clear as possible. I will answer any questions about my tutorial if you are unsure about anything at all. You can PM me (start a conversation) with your question. But enough of this nonsense, it's MAP MAKING TIME.

Spoiler: Step 1: Setting Dimensions

Open up GIMP. File > New. Set the height and width of your map here. Press OK.
NOTE: Thanks to the "Map Making Tutorial" thread, I learned if the map is too small, that shit will start collapsing if you so much as dig up ONE dirt block. Freaked me the hell out the first time. I also learned maps start kicking people at around 500(w) x 200(h) if they're on a server. Choose map size wisely.

Spoiler: Step 2: Pixel Grid

A blank will come up with the dimensions you chose.



Image > Configure Grid.



The default is 10x10, but we're editing PIXELS :D, so change it to 1x1. Hit OK.

Spoiler: Step 3: Pixel Grid

View > Show Grid
Checkmarking this option will get the 1x1 grid configuration you inputted and place it over your image. This will make all the individual pixels stand out when you're zoomed in.



It should look like this now (mind you, I zoomed in a little because 100x100 grid lines makes the little box look solid black!)

Spoiler: Step 4: Pixel Grid

View > Snap to Grid
This will make your life EASIER. This allows the pencil tool to snap to the individual grid boxes when your placing dirt, stone, ladders, everything that makes up your map. Nice, clean editing.

Spoiler: Step 5: Palette & Brush

A bit of prep, but now you're finally able to actually make your map. A palette is very useful. You will find yourself alternating between the color picking tool and the pencil. I thought a lot of stuff for maps was unnecessary, like team doors (?) so I made my own palette with what I found necessary.
MY PALETTE. It's missing a lot of stuff. Trees have four different colors (base, trunk, fork, top) which are the four green squares on the bottom left of my palette.



Don't forget to set your "brush" to pixel. Fourth one on top row.

Spoiler: Step 6: Finished Map

I used a big brush just for making a quick chunk of land to serve as an example for this tutorial. Let's pretend this is your finished map.

Spoiler: Step 7: SAVING GAME, PLEASE DO NOT TURN OFF CONSOLE

File > Save As
Wherever you installed KAG on your computer, you need to go to KAG > Base > Maps and save your map there. Make sure you save it as png, by clicking on "Select File Type (By Extension)" on the bottom of that window and highlighting png. I named my map "Hill".

Spoiler: Step 8: You've done this step, MILLIONS of times

Start KAG.

Spoiler: Step 9: Console

Solo > Sandbox
Press the "Home" key on your keyboard. Mine is above the arrow keys. This will open the console, where you type shit in, and magic starts happening o_o Type in /loadbitmap <whutever you named your map>, but for this example, it's /loadbitmap Hill

Spoiler: Step 10: Fuck Yeah, I made a map

Voi-fucking-la. Your map is now in KAG land. This was a magical moment for me: seeing a pixelated mess of colors on GIMP shape into a beautiful map when loaded onto KAG.

Coming soon: GIMP Banner Making for Dummys :)

 

Nice, I gots to make me some maps.