Patrician III Map Editor is the official tool to create custom maps for the game. You can find it in Start Menu -> Patrician III -> Map Editor or run Mapeditor.exe inside Patrician III installation folder.
User Interface
Description of user interface
General commands
File
New - Create a new map file (you will be prompted for the number of towns) [CTRL+N]
Load - Load an existing editor file (.kef) [CTRL+O]
Save - save in its current position the editor file you are working on [CTRL+S]
Save as - save the editor file you are working on
Export - convert an editor file (.kef) into a map file (.gmf) [CTRL+E]
Import - convert a map file (.gmf) into an editor file (.kef) [CTRL+I]
Edit
Undo - Classical CTRL+Z. Keyboard shortcut not working because also assigned to Automatically position workshops [CTRL+Z]
Set number of towns - edit towns number (ranges from 16 to 40, when reducing it before you might have to change number of workshops, Hanseatic Towns, Hanseatic Trading Offices, Hanseatic Trading Stations) [CTRL+S]
Automatically position towns - Randomly position remaining towns [CTRL+Z]
Automatically position workshops - Randomly position remaining workshops [CTRL+B]
Set description - Add a description to the map
View
Toolbar - Enable/Disable toolbar
Distribution of towns - View towns names, towns type, workshops number and efficiency
?
Help - Read the help file (Not working on Windows 10, on Windows Vista and later requires WinHlp32.exe, see Microsoft Help)
Info about Map Editor - Version number and copyright
Toolbar commands (from left to right)
New - Create a new map file (you will be prompted for the number of towns)
Load - Load an existing editor file (.kef)
Save - save in its current position the editor file you are working on
Export - convert an editor file (.kef) into a map file (.gmf)
Import - convert a map file (.gmf) into an editor file (.kef)
Set number of towns - edit towns number (ranges from 16 to 40, when reducing it before you might have to change number of workshops, Hanseatic Towns, Hanseatic Trading Offices, Hanseatic Trading Stations)
Automatically position towns - Randomly position remaining towns
Automatically position workshops - Randomly position remaining workshops
View distribution of towns - View towns names, towns type, workshops number and efficiency
Help - Read the help file (Not working on Windows 10, on Windows Vista and later requires WinHlp32.exe, see Microsoft Help)
Map Editing
When a map is opened, you see it in the middle of the editor. To navigate the map use mouse wheel and/or keyboard arrows. On the right you have a panel to show informations like remaining towns and workshops. To add a town click on an empty town spot and set town name and type when asked. To edit an existing town click on its position on the map. In the right panel you will see town properties. There you will be able to modifiy town name, type and map, and assign workshops.
Map file (.gmf) vs. Editor file (.kef)
- .gmf = "compiled" version of the map. Map needs to be in .gmf to be used in game. (Map path: Patrician3folder\Maps)
- .kef = editor file, the "project" of the map
Tip: remember that because of UAC on Win 7 and newer you can't save directly maps into PIII install folder.
Limitations
The Map Editor enforces some limits to avoid in-game problems:
- Minimum towns number is 16
- The map must include at least 12 Hanseatic Towns and 4 Hanseatic Trading Offices.
- You can't have more than a workshop of the same kind in the same town. Example: you can't have 2 Breweries in the same town.
- You can't have more than x businesses of the same kind on the map. Example: if the map has 40 towns you can't produce beer in more than 12 towns.
Brasileiro's Map Adjust
Brasileiro's Map Adjust is an unofficial tool to circumvent above limitations. You can find it on RJospehs.de. Be warned though that some users have reported problems with maps modified with this tool. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.