Question

[Darkshooter1986]

So i have kind of been hitting a brick wall on how to approach map making. Like how to start a map. Should i work on terraining and placement of buildings, doodads, units and so on first before tackling triggers?

 

[Uncle]

It all depends on what kind of map you're making. That being said, triggers generally revolve around the terrain of the map, so the terrain should probably exist first.

 

[FeelMyRash]

I usually make the units and abilities first so that I've got something to base the terraim off (and also cause I'm not so good at terraining). Plus its also easier to test general balancing without a bunch of hills and trees in the way (in my experience).

But like Uncle above said, it depends on what kind of map you're making.

 

[Pyrogasm]

I suggest a rough pass on the map at first to get started. Basically do an "ehhh maybe that sucks but it's okay for now" attempt at all aspects of the map. Divide the map area with terrain, place things approximately where they should be, add a couple doodads so your eyes don't hurt but don't worry about that stuff, rudimentary units with generic abilities, the most basic triggers to get essential functionality going even if it leaks or is laggy or sucks, and anything else that occurs to you. But don't get bogged down in the details: think broad strokes!

Hopefully this allows you to see your map's potential as a finished idea. With this rough sketch you can then focus efforts in a specific area for a while and not feel like you have no idea of the bigger picture of your map and if you're wasting time.

 

[ThompZon]

But don't get bogged down in the details: think broad strokes!

Agree, "rapid prototyping" is the way.
Also, if there is a specific idea that you haven't done before in Warcraft 3, try it out early in the most simple way possible, then extend on it. Possibly in its own map.

What I mean by "rapid prototyping" is make a small amount of terrain, doodads and units (just enough to test out core consepts), make a simple version of the "core triggers" and try to make it easy so you can see if the idea seems fun.
Then refine.

 

[Lordul Dracula]

A very important aspect of map making is that you first need an idea of what you want to do: you want to make a map with new races; battle arena; horror campaign. So, from my point of view, this is the first thing you should do as a map maker. Because if you want to make a campaign you will have to learn to make missions and cinematic, but if you want to make new races you won't need these things.