# Step by Step Guide

Transform any real-world location into a Farming Simulator map with this comprehensive guide. Maps4FS automates the complex terrain generation, letting you focus on the creative aspects of map making.

## 🛠️ Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the necessary tools and system requirements:

### Required Software

* **Giants Editor** ([Download here](https://gdn.giants-software.com/downloads.php))
  * For **Farming Simulator 25**: Use Giants Editor 10.0 or later
* **Maps4FS** - Either [web version](https://maps4fs.xyz) or [local installation](https://maps4fs.gitbook.io/docs/setup-and-installation/local_deployment)

### Optional Tools (for Advanced Features)

* **Image editing software** (for texture customization)

### System Requirements

* **RAM**: 8GB minimum, 16GB+ recommended for larger maps
* **Storage**: 5-10GB free space per map project
* **CPU**: Multi-core processor recommended for faster generation

## 🎯 Main Settings Overview

Understanding the core settings will help you make informed decisions during map generation:

### Game Selection

Choose **Farming Simulator 25**:

* **FS25 (Recommended)**: Full feature support, active development

⚠️ **Important**: Match your Giants Editor version to your target game!

### Location Coordinates

* Use **decimal format**: `45.2673, 19.7925` ✅
* **NOT** degrees-minutes-seconds: `45°16'02.3"N 19°47'32.9"E` ❌
* Get coordinates from [Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps) or [OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org)
* **Center point**: Coordinates mark the map center, not a corner

### Map Size Selection

Choose wisely based on your experience and hardware:

* **2x2 km**: Perfect for beginners, manageable scope
* **4x4 km**: Good balance of size and detail
* **8x8 km**: For experienced modders with powerful hardware
* **16x16 km**: Expert level, may have compatibility issues

💡 **Beginner Tip**: Start with 2x2 km! Large maps require exponentially more work to complete.

### DTM Provider

Select the best elevation data source for your region:

* **SRTM30Provider**: Global coverage, 30m resolution
* **Higher quality providers**: Available in some regions, better detail
* Maps4FS automatically shows available providers for your location

### Map Rotation

* Rotate to optimize the map orientation
* Consider prevailing wind direction and terrain features
* Useful for aligning fields with cardinal directions

## 📋 Step-by-Step Process

### Step 1: 📍 Choose Your Location

1. Open [Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps) or [OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org)
2. Navigate to your desired farming area
3. Right-click and copy coordinates in decimal format
4. **Tip**: Look for areas with visible agricultural fields for best results

### Step 2: 📏 Configure Map Settings

1. **Set coordinates**: Paste your decimal coordinates
2. **Choose map size**: Start with 2x2 km for your first map
3. **Select game version**: FS25 recommended
4. **Pick DTM provider**: Use the highest quality available for your region
5. **Set rotation** (optional): Align fields optimally

### Step 3: ⚙️ Adjust Generation Settings

Configure key settings for your needs:

#### Essential Settings

* **Add Trees**: Enable for realistic forests
* **Add Grass**: Fill empty areas with vegetation
* **Farmland Margin**: Adjust farmlands boundaries
* **Fields Padding**: Space between fields
* **Forest Density**: Lower = denser forests
* **Generate Background**: Enable generation of background terrain
* **Generate Water**: Generate meshes for water planes

#### Quality vs. Performance

* **Dissolve Textures**: Enable for final maps (slower generation)
* **Random Plants**: Enable for natural-looking vegetation
* **Download Satellite Images**: Enable for background terrain

📖 **Learn More**: Check [Generation Settings](https://maps4fs.gitbook.io/docs/understanding-the-basics/generation_settings) for detailed explanations.

### Step 4: 🚀 Generate Your Map

1. Review all settings one final time
2. Click **Generate** and wait for processing
3. **Processing time**: 1-5 minutes depending on size and settings
4. Monitor progress and check for any error messages

### Step 5: 📥 Download and Extract

1. Download the generated `.zip` file
2. Create a dedicated project folder on your computer
3. Extract all contents to this folder
4. **Map Structure**: Learn about included files in [Map Structure](https://maps4fs.gitbook.io/docs/map-components/map_structure)

### Step 6: 🌎 Background Terrain (Automated)

Background terrain is fully automated.

1. ✅ Enable **Download Satellite Images** in satellite settings
2. ✅ Enable **Generate Background** in background settings
3. 🎯 Maps4FS automatically creates ready-to-use `background_terrain.i3d` files
4. 📁 Find them in `your_map/assets/background/` after generation
5. 🚀 Simply import the `.i3d` file directly into Giants Editor!

### Step 7: ⛰️ Import Background Terrain

No Blender needed!

1. Open your map in Giants Editor 10.0+
2. Go to `File` → `Import...`
3. Navigate to `your_map/assets/background/`
4. Select `background_terrain.i3d` and import
5. Done! The terrain is automatically textured and positioned

### Step 8: 🌊 Water Planes (Automated)

Water planes are fully automated.

1. ✅ Enable **Generate Water** in background settings
2. 🎯 Maps4FS automatically creates a ready-to-use `polygon_water.i3d` file
3. 📁 Find them in `your_map/assets/water/` after generation
4. 🚀 Import the `.i3d` file directly into Giants Editor
5. ⚙️ Configure water properties in Giants Editor (see [Water Planes guide](https://maps4fs.gitbook.io/docs/advanced-topics/water_planes))

### Step 9: 📂 Open in Giants Editor

1. Launch Giants Editor (correct version for your target game)
2. Open the main `.i3d` file from your extracted map
3. **First load**: May take several minutes for large maps
4. Save immediately as a Giants Editor project so the editor will create required files.

### Step 10: 🌾 Configure Fields

1. **Auto-generated fields**: Already placed based on real agricultural data
2. **One-click painting**: Use field info layer to paint terrain textures
3. **Adjust boundaries**: Modify field shapes if needed
4. **Learn more**: [Fields Documentation](https://maps4fs.gitbook.io/docs/map-components/fields)

### Step 11: 🏠 Add Farmlands

1. **Pre-configured farmlands**: Generated automatically around fields
2. **Ownership zones**: Set up buyable land areas
3. **Price configuration**: Adjust land values in farmlands.xml
4. **Detailed guide**: [Farmlands Documentation](https://maps4fs.gitbook.io/docs/map-components/farmlands)

### Step 12: 🏘️ Buildings (Automated)

Buildings are fully automated.

* ✅ Automatically placed in appropriate land use areas (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.)
* 🎯 Buildings selected based on OSM area categories and building schema
* 📁 Ready-to-use building placement - no manual work required
* ⚙️ Customize building types and placement rules via [Buildings Schema](https://maps4fs.gitbook.io/docs/understanding-the-basics/buildings_schema)
* Buildings must be placed manually in Giants Editor
* No automated building placement system available

### Step 13: 🗺️ Overview Map (Automated)

Overview map is fully automated.

* ✅ Automatically generated when **Download Satellite Images** is enabled
* 📁 Perfect `overview.dds` created with satellite imagery
* 🎯 Correct dimensions and compression applied automatically
* Use satellite imagery for overview\.dds
* Resize and format according to game requirements
* Follow [DDS Conversion Guide](https://maps4fs.gitbook.io/docs/advanced-topics/dds_conversion) for proper formatting

### Step 14: ✨ Polish and Customize

Your map is now playable but needs finishing touches:

* **Enhance buildings**: maps include automatic building placement; add additional custom farmhouses, shops, and industrial areas as needed
* **Road network**: Connect fields and improve accessibility
* **Decorative objects**: Trees, rocks, and environmental details
* **Lighting**: Set up proper day/night lighting
* **Audio**: Add ambient sound zones
* **Ground collision map**: Create it via Giants Editor (Scripts -> Shared scripts -> Map -> Create Ground Collision Map)

## 🎮 Testing Your Map

### Initial Testing

1. **Load test**: Ensure map loads without crashes
2. **Performance check**: Monitor FPS in different areas
3. **Vehicle test**: Drive around with various equipment
4. **Field operations**: Test plowing, seeding, and harvesting

## 🚀 Next Steps

### Publishing Your Map

1. **Mod testing**: Ensure compatibility with popular mods
2. **Multiplayer testing**: Verify network performance
3. **Documentation**: Create user guides and changelogs
4. **Community**: Share on ModHub, farming forums, or Discord

### Advanced Features

* **🆕 Presets System** ([Local Deployment](https://maps4fs.gitbook.io/docs/setup-and-installation/local_deployment) only): Save and manage multiple configurations with the [Presets](https://maps4fs.gitbook.io/docs/additional-features/presets) feature
* **🆕 License Plates** : Automatic country-specific license plates with customizable prefixes - see [License Plates](https://maps4fs.gitbook.io/docs/map-components/license_plates)
* **Custom crops**: Add specialty farming options
* **Production chains**: Create unique economic systems
* **Seasonal content**: Weather-specific map variants
* **Scripted events**: Dynamic gameplay elements

## 📚 Additional Resources

### Video Tutorials

📹 [Complete YouTube Playlist](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPbJZ0HoiDE\&list=PLug0g7UYHX8D1Jik6NkJjQhdxqS-NOtB9) - Step-by-step video guides

### Documentation

* 📖 [FAQ](https://maps4fs.gitbook.io/docs/getting-started/faq) - Common questions and troubleshooting
* 🔧 [Generation Settings](https://maps4fs.gitbook.io/docs/understanding-the-basics/generation_settings) - Detailed setting explanations
* 🗺️ [Map Structure](https://maps4fs.gitbook.io/docs/map-components/map_structure) - Understanding generated files
* 💡 [Workflow Optimization](https://maps4fs.gitbook.io/docs/getting-started/workflow_optimizations) - Best practices and tips

### Community Support

* 💬 [Discord Server](https://discord.gg/wemVfUUFRA) - Get help and share your progress
* 🐛 [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/iwatkot/maps4fs/issues) - Report bugs or request features
* 🌐 [OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org) - Improve source data for better maps

***

**Congratulations!** You now have a complete, playable Farming Simulator map based on real-world terrain. The foundation is set – now let your creativity flourish as you build the farming paradise of your dreams!