View source for Help:Adding custom maps

Adding new maps to TF2Wiki is a two step process. You should complete both sections even if the information for the main '''Custom Map''' article is basic. Don't worry though; it's not all that difficult to do.

==Adding the map to the list==

Firstly you will need to add the map to the [[Custom maps]] list. You do this by going to the [[Custom maps]] page and clicking on the '''''Edit''''' link at the right hand side of the map type section ([[Custom maps#Capture The Flag|CTF]], [[Custom maps#Control Point|CP]], or [[Custom maps#Other|Other]]).

Once in the ''edit'' mode, scroll to the bottom of the textbox. Enter a new line, and then type:-

<pre>
{{Map-stub|
</pre>

By entering this you are effectively saying "I want to use the ''Map-stub'' template". When you use templates, all you need to do is provide the information and the site will take care of the layout formatting. This information is entered by typing the use of parameters (don't panic, this will become clear in a second).

The '''''Map-stub''''' template has several parameters:-
*'''mapname''' - The name of the map you are adding
*'''image''' - the image filename of the screenshot you should have uploaded (via the [[Special:Upload|Upload]] link on the left hand Toolbox)
*'''developer''' - The name of the developer of the map
*'''description''' - Basic description of the map (summary)
*'''downloadURL''' - Download URL of the map file (adding filesize information is useful if you have it). Note you can provide several links, see below for further information.
*'''externalURLs''' - Any additional links to other sites, i.e. developers website, guides, reviews etc.

You enter the parameters by simply typing a pipe (|), the parameters name followed by an equals sign, and then the information.

Example:-

<pre>
|mapname=Stronghold
</pre> 

It is useful to sometimes add multiple pieces of information in the parameter - for instance, when you have multiple download links. This is easily achieved by concatenating the information.

Example:-

<pre>
|downloadURL=[http://www.map-factory.org/download/cp-lazytown link1 (5.24MB)] [http://www.hl2world.com/bbs/dload.php?action=download&file_id=2682 link2 (5.24MB)]
</pre>

Will produce:-

<pre>
Download: link1 (5.24MB) link2 (5.24MB)
</pre>

After you have entered all the parameters (you can leave them blank if you don't have any information, for instance externalURLs) enter two parenthesis brackets - '''}}'''

That's it, make sure you use the '''Show Preview''' to review the section you have just entered. Once you are happy with the information, click the '''Save Page'''

==Creating the main Custom Map article==

Now on to adding the actual maps article page. To do this you will need to start a new '''article'''. On the [[custom maps]] list page, you should now see the map you have just added. 

[[Image:Ss_Custom_Map_List.png|center|frame|Click on the title of box to create a new [[:Category:Custom_Maps|custom map]] article]]

Click on the title on box, this should open up a new article for you to enter the map details on.

Once again you will need to use a template to enter the maps details. In the textbox you need enter a new line, but instead of the '''<nowiki>{{Map-stub</nowiki>''' you should type:-

<pre>
{{Custom Map
</pre>


The '''''Custom Map''''' template has the following parameters:-
*'''TYPE''' - The ''type'' of map (i.e. [[Custom maps#Capture The Flag|CTF]], [[Custom maps#Control Point|CP]], or [[Custom maps#Other|Other]])
*'''IMAGE''' - the image filename of the screenshot you should have uploaded (via the [[Special:Upload|Upload]] link on the left hand Toolbox)
*'''DEVELOPER''' - The name of the developer of the map
*'''INFO''' - Basic description of the map (summary)
*'''VERSION''' - Currently released version of the map
*'''DOWNLOADLINK''' - Download URL of the map file (again, adding filesize information is useful if you have it)
*'''ADDITIONALLINKS''' - Any additional links to other sites, i.e. developers website, guides, reviews etc.
*'''GOAL''' - The aim of the map
*'''LOCATIONS''' - A list of all the locations that feature on the map
*'''STRAT''' - Strategies used on the map

As you will (hopefully) be entering quite a bit more text on the full article, it maybe useful to know that you can enter multiple lines. So instead of:-

<pre>
{{Custom Map|TYPE=CTF|IMAGE=Ctf_mach.jpg
</pre>

You can enter them on separate lines as long as they are separated by the pipe '''|''' character like so:-

<pre>
{{Custom Map
|TYPE=CTF
|IMAGE=Ctf_mach.jpg
</pre>

Again, after you have entered all the parameters you will need to end the template by entering two parenthesis brackets:-

<pre>
}}
</pre>

Preview your work by clicking the '''Show preview''', once your happy with it click the '''Save page'''.

By doing this, you have just completed a [[custom maps|custom map]] entry on to TF2 Wiki. We look forward to reading your strategies and thank you for contributing to the Wiki.