Map picture generator in sc2?

I notice there are really good pictures of each map that the battle reports are on. Is there a map picture generator that will be with sc2?

I know there will be protection on maps to keep them from being copied, but shouldn't that have nothing to do with being able to review what is on a map outside of a game? I think there should be an in-game map generator that ignores map protection and takes a picture of the map, regardless of what it is. The protection should exist only to keep triggers and code from being stolen, which a picture has nothing to do with that.

Does anyone know if there is a map picture generator already, and how it works? Has blizzard already given information about one, or is this a question we can ask them?

I don't know whether it will be included or not, but I share your thoughts that it should be. With the removal of the black fog of war there's no reason why people shouldn't be able to analyze the maps. Since SC, and SC2, are so rigidly map-based and refuse to do random maps we should be able to look at nice pictures of them to get an idea for it.

At the very least there should be a nice hi-res picture of the map in the game lobby, in case you've never played the map before you can get an idea of what to expect.

I really hope they do put it in...

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Originally Posted by Xyvik

I don't know whether it will be included or not, but I share your thoughts that it should be. With the removal of the black fog of war there's no reason why people shouldn't be able to analyze the maps. Since SC, and SC2, are so rigidly map-based and refuse to do random maps we should be able to look at nice pictures of them to get an idea for it.

At the very least there should be a nice hi-res picture of the map in the game lobby, in case you've never played the map before you can get an idea of what to expect.

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Random maps would be fun for leisure play but would add an element of luck that would take away from the game at higher levels of play.

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Originally Posted by Operatoring

Random maps would be fun for leisure play but would add an element of luck that would take away from the game at higher levels of play.

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m8 read topic again, it says picture generator not map generator.

And for the topic.
Making big pics of maps in SC2 wont be any problem at all since we are in 3D now unlike the first starcraft and can just do like in Warcraft 3.
Set camera to top down view of the map and zoom out for full view of entire map and take a screenshot in editor simply.

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Originally Posted by Zalamander

m8 read topic again, it says picture generator not map generator.

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Originally Posted by Xyvik

Since SC, and SC2, are so rigidly map-based and refuse to do random maps we should be able to look at nice pictures of them to get an idea for it.

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I think he was responding to this post right here, "m8."

He was. And I will gladly defend how a random map can still be considered competitive. I do not at all agree with Blizzard's narrow view that a random map automatically unbalances things for professional play.

But that is waaaay off-topic. Back on topic: if they don't include this picture generator, do you think they'll be a way to work around it and make hi-res pictures of the maps ourselves?

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Originally Posted by Xyvik

He was. And I will gladly defend how a random map can still be considered competitive. I do not at all agree with Blizzard's narrow view that a random map automatically unbalances things for professional play.

But that is waaaay off-topic. Back on topic: if they don't include this picture generator, do you think they'll be a way to work around it and make hi-res pictures of the maps ourselves?

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SCMdraft lets you do that, someone will come along and do it if Blizzard doesn't.
Im more interested in converting replays to avis. Hypercam is total butt and never works.

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Originally Posted by Crazy_Jonny

SCMdraft lets you do that, someone will come along and do it if Blizzard doesn't.
Im more interested in converting replays to avis. Hypercam is total butt and never works.

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Well, there is a huge problem here. For example, ICCUP maps are protected, and can't be opened or have pictures taken of them using scmjpeg or scmdraft, as i've tried to open those maps and get a picture in both programs.

This is sort of what im after, I want starcraft II to allow pictures to be generated of maps, without the maps having to be unprotected. Just because im not a creator of a map, doesn't mean I shouldn't be able to look at it and get a good idea of strategy on the map before playing games on it. Right now, i'm unable to do that in SC1.

Are ladder maps in wc3 able to be opened up in the editor for a overhead shot?

Edit - I have checked World editor and I dont believe its possible to take good pictures of the maps. I have used the camera setting, but it won't go out far enough to take pictures of the full map. Anyone want to show me a full picture done using the cameras on any of the RoC ladder maps?

If its not possible in wc3's editor, you have to wonder if it will be possible in sc2's.

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Originally Posted by Santrega

Edit - I have checked World editor and I dont believe its possible to take good pictures of the maps. I have used the camera setting, but it won't go out far enough to take pictures of the full map. Anyone want to show me a full picture done using the cameras on any of the RoC ladder maps?

If its not possible in wc3's editor, you have to wonder if it will be possible in sc2's.

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Hold Ctrl and roll mouse wheel to increase view range in World Editor then you can get a good visible view of the map no matter how far you zoomed out.

Small version of a pic I made this way of an old war3 lost temple remake I did.
Couldent find any large pic right now and im over remote desktop so I prolly cant start world editor and make any new screen right now.
http://home.no/zalamander/LT-Legacy.jpg