Looking for help to create truly random map

from Sins Forums
I'm looking to create a truly random map, but so far I haven't been able to create what I want.
I've tried both the galaxy forge, and the in game map designer, and can't quite get what i'm looking for.

When I use the Map Designer in game, it always puts the players home planets seperated from the main system planets, and always with two planets next to it.

What i'd like is a random star, surrounded by ~50 "objects", and have it be truly random, with the starting players home planet on one of those planets.

As well, lets say in a 5-star galaxy, each system has a random possibility of having starting players. ie. players won't always start off in the same system, they may start in any of the 5 systems, on any one of the planets within that system.

I've tried taking the Huge (Multi) pre-built .galaxy file, and deleting/copy/pasting entries, but so far, I cant' get the map to work.

Anyone have any ideas on how i'd be able to achieve a truly random galaxy?
modding
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Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
Create a map using the map tool then go to the directory C:\Documents and Settings\[Logon name]\Local Settings\Application Data\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\Galaxy and look for the map you just created. In the file you will see:
extraPlanetGroupCount 2
extraPlanetGroup
minCount 1
maxCount 1
planetTypeCount 1
planetType "Asteroid"
extraPlanetGroup
minCount 1
maxCount 1
planetTypeCount 1
planetType "RandomIceVolcanic"

Change the tag extraPlanetGroupCount 2 to extraPlanetGroupCount 0
Remove all of the text in Bold. This will eliminate the rock on one side volcano/ice planet on the other. You can also change the values of various settings beyond what you could do in the editor.

Important: Once you start messing with the file outside the Galaxy Editor you run an increasing risk of the game crashing if you try to look at it with the galaxy editor. It does not mean the map is bad. It should still play fine.

You will have to tinker with the various settings that control planet radius to get a map that looks good. I have noticed that all of my planets are abit farther apart then I would like. I am still messing with the settings for space lanes.

Later

Paul9000