assuming you have sins 1.16/entrenchment 1.02,  the galaxy forge maps NEED to be placed here for xp
C:\Documents and Settings\'user name'\Local Settings\Application Data\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\GalaxyForge

or here for vista/windows 7
C:\Users\'user name'\AppData\Local\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\GalaxyForge.

NOTE the first two folders after the 'user name' are hidden , so to see them you must first click on 'tools' then 'folder options', then 'view', then click on 'show hidden files& folders' then click ok, then you will be able to browse your want to the folder. I suggest when you find the folder that you create a shortcut to it on the desktop

also the galaxy forge maps only show up in the galaxy forge tab of map types

the instant defeat for maps in the programs galaxy folder is because ALL players NEED home planets, or it is a mapdesigner map in the galaxyforge/galaxy folder.

for the not being able to update the map you will get this problem if you are running ViStA & save the map in the OLD program files galaxy folder which is for the ironclad games supplied maps ONLY, but will not have it happen if you save in the new GalaxyForge folder, and galaxy forge does remember where it has last worked.

hope this helps

harpo