Map Merger

Before any change to a map, it is good to use the Map Merger tools. In a nutshell, it rewrites the map to minimize differences between different versions of the map (DreamMakers map editor rewrites a lot of the tile keys). This makes the git diff between different map changes much smaller. More recently a new way of laying out the map was invented by Remie, called TGM, this helps to further reduce conflicts in the map files.

This is good for a few reasons

1) Maintainers can actually verify the changes you are making are what you say they are by simply viewing the diff (For small changes at least)

2) The less changes there are in any given map diff, the easier it is for git to merge it without running into unexpected conflicts, which in most cases you have to either manually resolve or require you to remap your changes

However - to do all this is going to require you to put some elbow grease into understanding the map merger tool.

If you have difficulty using these tools, ask for help in #coderbus

Using the tools

1. Install Python 3.5 or greater	If you don't have Python already installed it can be downloaded from: [1] - make sure you grab the latest python 3, again, it must be 3.5 or greater
2. PATH Python	This step is mostly applicable to windows users, you must make sure you ask the windows installer to add python to your path.	[2]
3. Prepare Maps	Run "Prepare Maps.bat" in the tools/mapmerge/ directory.
4. Edit your map	Make your changes to the map here. Remember to save them!
5. Clean map	Run "Run Map Merge - TGM.bat" in the tools/mapmerge/ directory.
7. Check differences	Use your git application of choice to look at the differences between revisions of your code and commit the result.
8. Commit	Your map is now ready to be committed, rejoice and wait for conflicts.

Contribution guides
General	Development, Downloading the source code / hosting a server, Guide to git, Game resources category, Guide to changelogs
Database (MySQL)	Setting up the database, MySQL
Coding	Understanding SS13 code, SS13 for experienced programmers, Binary flags‎, Text Formatting, Guide to signals
Mapping	Guide to mapping, Map merger, Exploration Ruins
Spriting	Guide to spriting
Wiki	Guide to contributing to the wiki, Wikicode