I have made a single player map for Generals with way points, build lists, scripts, etc. What i can't figure out from the World Builder Guide is how can I now test/play that map in single player mode? Do I need to make a campaign, and if so how do I do that?

Here is the info I received to make skimish map work...
To add AI to a multiplayer map, the first thing you need to do is make sure that each player has enough area for their base. If the base area is too small, the AI will stop building after it runs out of space.

Now, you need to create the base areas. Make sure that you have the player start position waypoints placed on your map in the middle of each base area. Now click on the Trigger Area Tool (more commonly referred to as the Polygon tool) and click on the very outside of the base area, on one of the corners. Now, find the corner next to it and click. Continue in this manner to draw the outside of the base area. When you are finished, click the first point to close the loop. Now where it says 'Area Name', click on the drop-down list and select "OuterPerimeter#", where # is the player number who will be using that area (ex. OuterPerimeter1).

Next, create another area inside the first one, leaving a little bit of space for where the AI will build defenses and send units to defend. Make sure this area is big enough for the AI to build its structures. Name this area "InnerPerimeter#" where # is the player number who is in that area.
After that, every player will need three ways to attack the enemy. These are created as waypoint paths. Click somewhere outside Player 1's OuterPerimeter and, without releasing the mouse button, drag it inside Player 1's base. Name the waypoint path "Flank1". Now do the same thing on another side of Player 1's base, and this time label it "Backdoor1". Do this again on each of the bases, changing the number to correspond with the player's base you are bringing the path into.

When you have finished all of that, click on the Trigger Area Tool, and click on the very corners of the map, making a big box around it. Name this trigger area "Skirmish World".

Now, create an area that encompasses mostly everything that is not a base area. Call it "CombatZone". The AI will only capture derricks and refineries if they are inside this area.

Lastly, add the Skirmish Teams. Go to Edit -> Player List. Click "Add Skirmish Teams" and then click OK.
And there you have it. You should now have basic computer AI functionality added to your multiplayer skirmish map.

Hey Drummin,

That's good advice and I have done that, but What I was trying to do was take a map that has been designed with all the features you mentioned and make it the first mission in a campaign. So generally, in terms of build sequence and complexity, there are 4 phases: 1) build the basic map, 2) make it a skirmish map by adding waypoints and polygons, 3) make it a single player map by adding scripts and teams, 4) and make it a campaign (by adding ???). So I have progressed my map through three of the four stages but I don't know how to make my single player map a campaign.

Hey Tsmolskow,

I'm suprised knowone has replied. There must be people here that have made mission maps... come on.

I've never made one but I would imagine it's a matter of changing the view/play area size as you reach certain goals, spawning units etc.

Sounds like a fun new chalenge to script.
Hope someone steps up to help you.

Hey Drummin,

Thanks, I'm a little surprised too, but in the mean time I have begun to figure it out myself. It's a long process of trial and error, plus looking at other map designs in world builder, but I think I'm starting to get it. Maybe I'll write a tutorial to help share what I learn once I get it all going

Sorry I didn't reply sonner, I was on Christmas vaction & didn't get to the internet much.

You can go the simple route, just save you map & select it from the Custom Maps list to test it. All single player maps appear at the top of this list.

If you'd like your map in place of one of the campaigns, that goes into game modifying. If you'd like to do this, let me know how much you know about INI file & BIG file first.

Thanks for the reply.

Yes I have tested it as a custom map, and it's working good.

I would like to learn how to make a campaign, and I have done some INI and BIG file modifications and experimentation to make some minor mods.

Okay then. But you'll have to modify one of the 3 campaigns with your maps. Creating a new button that lets you play your own campaign is far beyond my modifying knowledge.

1) Copy & paste your maps into the "Maps" folder in the Zero Hour game directory. (If you don't see a "Maps" folder, then just create one with that name.)
2) Extract the "Campaign.ini" file from the INIZH.big file to it's corresponding folders as you see in the BIG file.
3) Open the Campaign.ini file & scroll down the GLA, USA, & China campaigns.
4) Choose which campaign to over right.
5) If you have 3 maps named, Mission1, Mission2, & Mission3, change the campaign from:

(Assuming your moddifing the USA campaign.)
To:
(I removed the intro movies because you probably wouldn't want them.)

Save the file & that campaign should work!

If you'd like to change the text of the campaign button, follow these steps:
1) Download the Generals.str file from the <> topic that I uploaded.
2) Put it in the "Data" folder in the game directory.
3) Use the Find program (ctrl+F) & type, CAMPAIGN:USA & hit, "Find Next"
4) Change the word USA inside the quotes to the name you want displayed.

Save the file & that should work! This will also change the text you see in your mission start saved games.

That's awesome! You're the Man!