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--- manual:subwaysim:map_construction:create_level [2025/12/11 15:18] – created dcs
+++ manual:subwaysim:map_construction:create_level [2025/12/15 12:08] (current) – dcs
@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 **Important:** No spaces, no special characters, and no umlauts.
+{{:manual:subwaysim:map_construction:createlevel4.png?nolink&300|}}
 ----
@@ Line 28: / Line 30: @@
   * Enable the required checkboxes (as shown in the screenshot).
   * Click **OK**.
+{{:manual:subwaysim:map_construction:createlevel5.png?direct&1000|}}
+{{:manual:subwaysim:map_construction:createlevel1.png?nolink&500|}}
 Unreal Engine will now convert your world into streamed partitions.
@@ Line 35: / Line 40: @@
 Since the map is new, it will be completely empty — no Landscape and no lighting.
+----
+===== Setting the GameMode =====
+Another important step when preparing a new level is assigning the correct **GameMode**.
+Without this step, SubwaySim 2 will not recognize that your map should run using the Lua-driven systems required for modding.
+To set the GameMode:
+  * Open the **World Settings** panel
+    (found in the top-right menu under **Settings → World Settings**).
+  * In the World Settings, search for **GameMode Override**.
+  * Set the GameMode to: **BP_LuaGameMode**
+{{:manual:subwaysim:map_construction:createlevel6.png?direct&1000|}}
+This tells SubwaySim 2 that your map uses the Lua-based gameplay framework, ensuring that scripts, interactions, and mod functionalities behave as expected in-game.
 ----
@@ Line 48: / Line 71: @@
 Loaded regions appear **blue** and allow you to place assets.
+{{:manual:subwaysim:map_construction:createlevel8.png?nolink&400|}}
 ----
@@ Line 53: / Line 78: @@
 ===== Adding Basic Lighting for Editing =====
-To work inside the editor, add temporary lighting:
+To work comfortably inside the editor, SubwaySim 2 provides a dedicated **editor-only lighting setup**.
+Instead of manually placing individual lighting actors, we use a predefined Blueprint called **BP_Sky**.
-  * **SkyAtmosphere**
+This Blueprint contains the complete temporary lighting setup required for editing maps inside Unreal Engine.
-  * **Directional Light**
-  * **Skylight**
-Add them via the green **Add ( + )** button.
+To add editor lighting:
+  * Open the **Content Drawer**
+  * Navigate to the following path inside the **SubwaySim2_Modding** plugin:
+SubwaySim2_Modding / GameFramework / EditorTimeOnly
+  * Drag **BP_Sky** into your level
+{{:manual:subwaysim:map_construction:createlevel2.png?direct&1000|}}
+Once placed, the Blueprint automatically provides:
+  * Sky atmosphere
+  * Sun / directional lighting
+  * Ambient skylight
+This lighting setup allows you to properly see and edit your map while working in the editor.
 <WRAP center round info 800px centeralign>
-Because SubwaySim 2 uses its own Core lighting system, lighting placed in your modded map will appear *in addition* to the game's lighting and will not react to in-game time.
+SubwaySim 2 uses its own internal Core lighting system at runtime.
-For development purposes, you can still use temporary lighting in the editor.
+For licensing reasons, this system cannot be included in the Modding SDK.
+The **BP_Sky** Blueprint is therefore used only for editor work.
+When the map is loaded in the game, this Blueprint is automatically removed and replaced by the game's native lighting system.
 </WRAP>
-For more realistic preview lighting, enable **Real Time Capture** in the Skylight settings.
+You can use the settings inside **BP_Sky** to roughly preview different times of day while editing.
+These changes are only visual aids for development and do not affect the final in-game lighting.
-Adjust the **Directional Light** rotation (Y- and Z-axis) to simulate different times of day.
+{{:manual:subwaysim:map_construction:createlevel3.png?nolink&300|}}
 ----
-===== Disabling Editor Lighting Before Export =====
+===== Editor Lighting Behavior in Game =====
-Before exporting your map to SubwaySim 2, these editor lights must be disabled so they do not appear in the game.
+No additional steps are required to disable editor lighting before exporting the map.
-To do this:
+Although BP_Sky is used as an editor lighting helper, it must not remain active during gameplay, as it would conflict with SubwaySim 2’s internal lighting system.
-  * Select **SkyAtmosphere**, **Directional Light**, and **Skylight**.
+For this reason, **BP_Sky destroys itself at runtime**:
-  * In the Details panel, disable **Visible**.
+  * Inside the BP_Sky Blueprint, the **Event BeginPlay** triggers a **Destroy Actor** node.
+  * This ensures that BP_Sky exists only for editing inside Unreal Engine, but is removed immediately when the level starts running.
-This hides the lights in the game while keeping them available for further editing.
+This ensures that:
-When editing again, simply enable **Visible** to restore the lighting.
+  * The editor lighting setup never remains active in the final game
+  * The in-game lighting system remains fully controlled by SubwaySim 2
 ----
+===== Creating a Landscape =====
+To continue building your map, you will need a **Landscape** as the foundation for terrain, tracks, and world geometry.
+To create one, switch to the **Landscape Mode**, which you can find in the mode selection at the upper left of the editor.
+Alternatively, you can open it using the shortcut:
+**【⇧ Shift】 + 【2】**
+Once you enter Landscape Mode, the editor will automatically detect that your level does not yet contain a landscape and will display a large grid of **green tiles**.
+These tiles represent the area where the base landscape will be created.
+Before generating the landscape, verify that all settings match the provided screenshot.
+Correct settings are essential to ensure compatibility and proper terrain behavior.
+After confirming the settings, click **Create**.
+Your landscape will now be added to the world.
+{{:manual:subwaysim:map_construction:createlevel10.png?direct&1000|}}
+----
+===== Expanding or Reducing the Landscape =====
+Landscapes in Unreal Engine are flexible and can be expanded or reduced in size.
+To modify your landscape:
+  * Switch to the **Manage** tab within Landscape Mode.
+  * Use **Add** to place new tiles.
+  * Use **Delete** to remove tiles.
+**Important:**
+You can only add landscape tiles at the **outer edges** of the existing landscape.
+Extending the terrain from the center is not possible.
+{{:manual:subwaysim:map_construction:createlevel11.png?direct&1000|}}
+----
+===== Next Steps =====
+With your landscape created, your map is now ready to be expanded further — whether by placing objects, adding environment details, or laying tracks.
+For additional guidance on how to bring assets from other SDK plugins into your own mod, refer to: [[manual:subwaysim:map_construction:migrate_assets|Migrating Assets into a User Plugin]]
+{{page>manual:footer}}