Map Building Basics

A TA map always consists of two components: the TNT (the actual terrain) and the OTA (parameters, start positions, mission settings).

The cell logic

• 1 map “unit” = 512×512 pixels = 16×16 cells of 32×32 pixels.
• An “8x8” map = 128×128 cells = 4096×4096 pixels of terrain.
• Elevation: TNT stores a height per cell; TA interpolates hills and valleys from it.

Tools

• TAE (TA Editor / Mission Editor) — Cavedog’s own editor, buggy in early versions, but the classic.
• Annihilator — community tool for maps and mission design, much more stable than TAE.
• Terragen + converter — render realistic landscapes in Terragen, then convert to TNT.
• YankTherm / TA:HPI tools — to pack TNT/OTA into a UFO/HPI archive.

The workflow (classic)

1. Design the terrain base shape (heightmap, waterline).
2. Apply textures (ground, cliffs, water, feature placement).
3. Fill in the OTA file: start positions, wind (critical for energy balance!), gravity.
4. Pack into UFO/HPI, drop into the TA folder, test.
5. Balance check: start positions fair? Metal extractors symmetric? Wind decent?

What the pros watch out for

• Start positions: the .schema in the OTA defines 2/3/4-player setups.
• Metal: place metal extractors symmetrically, but keep some variation (map control).
• LOS bug: Cavedog’s original LoS table (v1.1) has a bug — limits sight to 288px. Community patches exist (McnTerra-NS.ufo contains a corrected table).
• Water: “acid” in the OTA makes water toxic; water level shapes entire play styles (hover maps!).

Sources (partly offline, but archived)

• TA Map Design Guide (1999)
• YouTube: How To Make Maps For TA
• File Universe: map-building tools live under “Utilities”.