ZenMap

ZenMap

WARNING: 

Please be sure to have character backups before using this mod on an existing world.
Existing character map exploration data will be reset.

Designed for low-map games where you do not want universal map access but would like the map to only be available at the cartography table ~ OR ~ from a crafted item.

Admins in God mode can always view the map from anywhere.

NOTE: Pairs excellent with ZenCompass they were designed together.

When viewing the map from the Cartography Table, the map is locked to the location of the table itself. That means you can't pan the map. You can only see the area around the Cartography Table, and the zoom is limited based on the age of the table.

When you create a Cartography Table, it automatically begins exploring the surrounding area. It takes a few game days to fully reveal the area. Check back with the table regularly. You will see the explored area expanding. The time delay is intentional as to prevent the player from carrying the crafting materials around and crafting a table whenever they want to see the map. Instead, you have to intentionally place a table where you want to collect map information on the surrounding area and fortify it against destruction. If the table is destroyed, then it's revealed area is lost. A new table needs to be created, and time needs to pass before the area is explored fully again. You can change the location of your table without destroying it using the ZenRedecorate mod.

This creates an immersive play experience where you can get lost, maps become useful and spread out. No world view. Orientation and direction and paths become important. (Install ZenPath for reduced stamina usage on paths)

This also means that your own exploration radius is irrelevant. The table itself is what defines revealed areas of the map, not your character.

TIP: Tables are shown on the map as the House icon. They are named "Town" by default. The table is represented by the house icon on the map because it is intended to reflect the idea of a town or home since maps are important things. You can rename the table if you would like. The chosen name you select will be reflected on the map pin representing the table. The rename function can be blocked with a ward.

Charting New Area: Time Remaining

First Day: Small Mapped Area

Last Day: Max Mapped Area

TIP: You can display the map icon labels by holding Shift (or Gamepad Y)

Craftable Map Items

You can craft a portable map item and carry it with you from any table. The item is a static copy of the map table that it was copied from. It will not update as you move around. NOTE: you can turn craftable map items off if you would like to only allow the map from the cartography table.

By default, the Parchment required to craft maps is not available until the Artisan Table can be created. This is to give the player some time to experience the game with only having map access from the Cartography Table and thereby make the discovery of the Parchment a nice reward for progression.

How they work:

Once you have crafted a Parchment, take it to the Cartography Table and select Record Discoveries to create a copy of the map and store it as an item in your inventory. The map item you just created is a static snapshot of that Cartography Table's explored area. If you travel to a new area and look at the map you created, it will still show the same world area copied onto it when it was crafted. Just like a real paper map, not a GPS. This means that even if the table is destroyed, the copied map you created will persist. However, it's a little bit magical. Pins active at the time it was crafted will be copied to the map. New pins added after creation will not be visible. However, it's a live map of the area it's focused on, if a tracked object moves, then the pin will move too. However, the explored area is static. Its view is fixed on a specific area of the world and will never change.

What pins are visible?

Your mount, and pins that you attach to signs, are visible only to you on the Cartography Table. When you craft a Map Item, any pins visible at the time of creation are copied to the Map Item that you craft.

Automatically tracked objects such as ships and carts are visible to everyone at the Cartography Table. They are copied to the Map Item when it is crafted. Tracked objects created after crafting the Map Item are not visible on the Map Item, you must recraft the Map Item to make them visible.

Tombstones are visible to all players at the cartography table. They are copied to the Map Item when it is crafted, new tombstones do not automatically appear on the portable Map Item, but they do appear on the Cartography Table.

Boss alter pins are never copied to the crafted Map Item and are not visible on the shared Cartography Table. They are always per-player and private. This ensures new players do not have the location of bosses spoiled by accident. Use a sign pin to share the location if desired.

Special pins such as Traders and the Start Temple are always visible on all maps for all players.

Usage:

Pressing the Map button on your Keyboard or Gamepad will open the map in your inventory. In the case where you are carrying multiple maps, then pressing the map button will open the last one you used. You can open them manually by Right-Clicking on them or pressing X on Gamepad.

TIP: You can rename any maps you are carrying by pointing at the item and pressing Shift + Left-C