Getting grip on the blockmap

[nyfrk]

We need access to the blockmap to be able to tell whether a building can be placed at a specific position on the map.

Possible candidates

BYTE **blockmap = S4_Main.exe + 0x11630E8;

• A possible blockmap is defined as: BYTE **blockmap = S4_Main.exe + 0x11630E8;
  • The precise meaning of the bits in each field is unknown.
  • It is known that there is a road-spawn-counter. If a settler walks on grass this counter is increased and if a certain threshold is reached a dirt road or cobble road is spawned.
  • Objects such as piles or shapes of buildings (including mines) are somehow represented in this map although they do not necessary contribute to road creation
  • Sea (positions where ships can move) or any non-buildable terrain types do not seem to be represented in this map
  • Settlers do not seem to be represented in this map (i.e. no repelling map)
  • Cobbled or Dirt Road tiles that were created using the map editor seem to be represented
  • The repelling masks of buildings is represented ?

A visual representation (heatmap) of the map:

WORD **blockmap = S4_Main.exe + 0x11630D0;

• A possible blockmap is defined as: WORD **blockmap = S4_Main.exe + 0x11630D0;
  • Sea and Land is represented (including coast)
  • Spots that are occupied by buildings (including mines) are represented
  • No piles, settlers or other objects seem to be represented on this map

A visual representation of the map (Test_Trojan map):

BYTE **blockmap = S4_Main.exe + 0x11630D8;

• A possible blockmap is defined as: BYTE **blockmap = S4_Main.exe + 0x11630D8;
  • Objects like trees or CStones are represented with a large blob
  • Spots occupied by buildings are represented
  • Spots owned by a player are represented
  • No Piles or Settlers are represented

A visual representation of the map (Test_Trojan map):

WORD **blockmap = S4_Main.exe + 0x11630E0;

• A possible blockmap is defined as: WORD **blockmap = S4_Main.exe + 0x11630E0;
  • Goods, Trees and CStone Objects are represented at a single position
  • Maps probably coordinates to entity id

Other Remarks

The game uses probably the function at S4_Main.exe + 0x2483F0 for calculating building places with a DynList. Thanks to @oberstrike for this info.