FC4 PC Map Editor Feedback & Suggestions
Here's some FC4 PC Map Editor feedback & suggestions. For what ever reason I can't access Far Cry Map Making forums when I'm logged in so I'm posting this thread here.
- Object rotation tool
- Apparently the old rotation method (grabbing axes with mouse) got replaced by this weird circle thingy. These circles are probably easier to see on consoles but on PC it is extremely difficult to see what circle rotates what axis. Would it be possible to get back the old rotation method (FC2 & 3 map editors)? To be able to rotate an object you often have to move the camera just to get access to a rotation "circle". This is wasted time.
- Here's a comparison:
- http://i.imgur.com/DGNlHh3.jpg
- Object Multi-selection, object highlight
- The new object highlight animation is almost useless. The animation is too quick and it takes several seconds before it plays again. This makes sorting out multiple objects almost impossible. Take a look at this image:
- http://i.imgur.com/hkrCWw9.jpg
- Which one is better? Left or right (Far Cry 3 or Far Cry 4)? Obviously the left one.
- Object search filter
- This is a great feature. However, it could be greatly improved:
- Instead of performing the filter per key press, only do it after pressing enter. Sometimes writing a bit longer filter takes a while because the UI is lagging. The search function is performed repeatedly after each keypress which often slows down the UI. Oh and guess what? Far Cry 3 Map Editor does this. It doesn't perform the search until Enter is pressed.
- It would be great if the search could be limited to the currently selected folder. Perhaps there could be a checkbox for this option?
- Object search filter does not persist. If you swap to another tool and then get back to object placement, the filter string is still in the textbox but the object list is not filtered anymore.
- Object list
- When a top level directly is selected, it would be great if all the sub directories could be displayed in the object browser. Oh and guess what? Far Cry 3 Map Editor does this.
- While holding down any movement keys (ASDW) and clicking on any UI element (button, item in an item browser, etc.) causes this key to get virtually stuck. You can release it by pressing any movement key or by clicking anywhere in the render box.
- What are object presidencies?
- Why does it take so long to save a map? This used to be almost instantaneous. Now it does all kinds of tricks.
- Backgrounds. Can we get access to these beautiful static mountains as seen in "Ubisoft" PVP maps? "Enable Vista" does this.
- Editor settings
- "Camera stays above terrain" no longer exists. Can we get this option back
- Since there's a config .xml for the editor, perhaps the editor settings could be stored there as well (auto-snap objects, etc)?
Overall, the editor has improved in some areas - like proper in-editor-testing. The modifiers settings are also really cool and should allow the users to create brilliant content. Then there are some changes that were steps backwards - like the object rotation tool and object highlight animation. I hope there's something that can be done. Object rotation tool is one of the most used tools and to be honest it's quite silly that this kind of an implementation was selected. What was wrong with the old one? Same goes for the object highlight animation. I don't believe Ubisoft developers used a map editor with this highlight animation. It's useless. I'm exited about the upcoming features like inviting a friend to your Custom map. I hope we'll also see support for PVP maps. Oh and I wouldn't mind seeing classical gamemodes like Team Deathmatch and Deathmatch (Free For All). Symmetrical gamemodes would be nice too. It's a great engine and it would be a shame not to release its full power.