When designing a map in the early stages, it is good idea to draw a map draft in paint or gimp. Although it is not required, I find it extremely helpful to condense an idea description into a visual image. I usually draw one even if later in Zeroeditor I decide to change the design. These are the steps I follow when making a map.
Typical Stages Of Map Design
1. Idea/Brainstorming
2. Map Drafting + Development Notes
3. Compiling, Organizing, and Modifying Assets (ODF, MSH, REQ)
4. Creating World in Zeroeditor and building LUA
5. Munging & SPTesting
6. Online Multiplayer stability testing with friends
Here are 2 examples of Map Drafts I made that didn't make it past the drafting stage:
(https://www.swbfgamers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FJBhkL.png&hash=bc89cf3d813343411a407314a8d27b85641cd5aa)
(https://www.swbfgamers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fe7zO2.jpg&hash=5b55718ef67ebf6063762327b70955eaac50207a)
could this thread please be moved to modding tutorials board?
Very nice! If I ever decide to make a map (if/when I can get zeroeditor to work on a windows emulator) I will follow this!