How to make mapart [UPDATED]

[Good Old Mr. Wilson]

How to make mapart - An updated guide by Mr. Wilson

I have decided to improve on the existing guide to making map art made by Nulz on here, and hopefully more people will start trying out creating maps for the server.

Step one: Finding an image to use
Maps are 128x128 pixels, with each pixel representing one block. Therefore, for one map, when looking for an image to use, you should use an image that is 128x128. You could also use a slightly larger image and shrink it down, but obviously it would look worse. A 2x2 map mapart would be 256x256 pixels etc.

Step two: Downloading Schematica
Schematica is a Forge mod that allows blueprints to be placed down in game to make building easier. Schematica makes the mapart-making process faster.
To download Schematica you will need to download:

• Latest version of Forge Mod Loader: https://files.minecraftforge.net/
  
• Latest version of Schematica: https://minecraft.curseforge.com/projects/schematica
  
• Latest version of LunatriusCore: https://minecraft.curseforge.com/projects/lunatriuscore
  

Step three: Convert your image into a Schematic
The program that most people use to convert their images into Schematics is called SpriteCraft, although you can usually get better results using a program called MapGenerator by RedstoneHelper (SpriteCraft uses the colors of the block itself to change an image to a schematic while MapGenerator uses the colors the blocks appear on a map). Here is a comparison between the two programs. https://imgur.com/a/f6hJf

MapGenerator can be downloaded through the following links:

• The original MapGenerator by RedstoneHelper (NoGUI): https://www.reddit.com/r/Minecraft/comme...ap_art_in/
  
• A custom version of MapGenerator featuring a GUI made by ItsTims https://www.dropbox.com/s/vfcwtzdtz89mzl...3.zip?dl=0
  

To use MapGenerator, you put the image you unzip it and place the picture you want to convert into the MapGenerator folder. Then you can convert it through MapArtGUI.jar, and the schematic will be placed in the 'out' folder. [EDIT: Do not tick 'Print Info' because the out folder will not be created if you do]

If for some reason you would prefer SpriteCraft, it can be downloaded here.:

• SpriteCraft http://diamondpants.com/spritecraft/
  

The full version is free but donations are accepted.
To use SpriteCraft, you unzip the file, open SpritecraftFull.jar. There is an options button in the right corner, and in there you will need to select 'Top View' and you can decide what blocks SpriteCraft can use. Then you can browse for your picture, select it and click 'Create Minecraft Blueprint' to convert it into a Schematic.

After loading up Forge with LunatriusCore and Schematica enabled, a 'schematics' folder will be made in your .minecraft folder. Here you should place the Schematics.

NEITHER OF THESE PROGRAMS HAVE OPTIONS TO USE CARPETS, SO YOU WOULD NEED TO LOAD IN THE SCHEMATIC INTO A WORLD WITH WORLDEDIT OR MCEDIT AND CHANGE THE WOOL TO CARPET. WOOL COLORS AND CARPET COLORS APPEAR THE SAME ON MAPS

Step four: Make a platform
You will need to make a platform in order to build your map, and it is best to make a map at the area you want to make your mapart so you can put it in your offhand and lign up the corner of the platform with the corner of the map. To create your platform you could build it in the sky using your own blocks, flatten an area (plains is best for this) or turn part of an ocean to stone using lava buckets. For platforms on oceans. this may be a useful video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yclto8jZ...e=youtu.be

Step five: Gather resources
Before building your map you should gather the materials. A lot of the blocks in the schematic are usually wool/carpet. Luckily for you, carpet has been able to be duped for a very long time, and Mojang seems to not care. Here is a carpet duper design https://imgur.com/a/oNIgy
Edit: Just found this video of an MCEdit filter that easily changes the wool or clay to corresponding carpet colours. https://youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu....6mPT4ZyrT4
Step six: Build your map
Now you are ready to build your map. Load up Forge with Schematica and LunatriusCore, and if your .schematic file is in your schematics folder in .minecraft, you can press / on the numpad and select it. You need to align it, so press - on the numpad and move the Schematic onto your platform.

MAKE SURE THAT THE TOP OF THE SCHEMATIC WHEN LOOKED AT FROM ABOVE IS FACING NORTH OR ELSE YOUR MAP WILL BE UPSIDE DOWN OR ROTATED IN A WRONG DIRECTION

Now you can use the semi-transparent blueprint overlay to either build the map yourself or use the printer function in schematica. Bear in mind that printer can leave quite a few ghost blocks.

Once you get all that building out of the way, you will hopefully have a good looking mapart that you and/or others can enjoy. Hopefully this guide will get a lot more people making mapart, because the final result can be extremely satisfying. If you have questions, reply and I will try to answer.
Enjoy.

[AmusingGoose]

Really good tutorial, thanks.

[_Remnant_]

This is actually extremely informative for anyone trying out mapmaking, good work

[_Remnant_]

Except the mapmaker program doesn't work.

[Good Old Mr. Wilson]

Except the mapmaker program doesn't work.

It does work, I just did some testing, and it doesn't make an out folder if you tick 'Print Info'.

[whz2g9]

Good work I like to see things like this =]

[Good Old Mr. Wilson]

Just added a YouTube link to a MCEdit addon to convert the wool or clay to carpet very easily. https://youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu....6mPT4ZyrT4

[Nulz]

Much better guide than the one I made.

Heres the link to the program from mine though
https://mega.nz/#!ykxkjI5L!ndOQgoqZ840I_...Dk15Zwc6zU
You may or may not get better results. Its the one I used for my first map art.