Tutorial #2 - Building Bridges In Final Alert2

How to make both high and low bridges...written by Lion & RVMECH

Low Bridges: Low bridges are used on flat map areas, but you can combine both low and high bridges in your map. Low bridges are the easiest of the two types to make. The other (high type) can be a bit tricky at times. If you are making, for example, a map with a river running from top to bottom, you will want a way for the troops to cross the river. Making low bridges is very easy with Final Alert. Actually, only two steps are involved after you have made your river.

Step #1: Take a look at the picture before you start. Now select Special Overlay>Bridges>Low Bridges in the left menu. After you have selected low bridges, choose where you want your bridge to cross the river. Start at point "A" as shown in the example pic. Hold down your left mouse button, (click n drag) to point "B". When you get to point "B", release your mouse button and your bridge will be made automatically for you! Just make sure you cross the river so both ends of your bridge sit on solid ground. Told ya that would be easy.

Step #2: One more step to go. In the example pic you see a finished bridge, or what it should look like after step #1 is complete. Now add bridge repair huts so the bridge can be repaired if it gets damaged during the game. Go to Buildings>Other> in the left menu. Find the Bridge Repair Hut and place it near the bridge. See the example pic that shows the placement location for your repair huts. Just remember to keep them no more than a tile or two away, else they won't work. Don't place them directly on the bridge either. And don't place em in the water =) Keep in mind engineers must have clear access to the repair huts, and they can't swim!

High Bridges: We will assume that the cliffs have been made and that the terrain has been lifted and all is right with the world. You must know how to level cliffs before you can continue on with this tutorial. Also, if your a beginner, we suggest you start with a short bridge until you get the hang of making them and how they are to line up, etc.

Step #1: Select the Bridges menu from the overlay selection menu. (Click pic to your left.) Place the "front" side of the bridge in the cliff. It has to align exactly with the cliff face as shown in the pic. Don't embed it or leave it hanging in space. It should look like the one in the example picture. Then you'll know you have the placement correct. Same thing applies if your making cliffs on a temperate map. Our example shows an urban environment. Only cliff pieces running in a 45 degree angle will work for the bridges because the bridge pieces themselves are in a 45 degree angle. You'll understand all this once you make your first bridge.

Step #2: Select the backside piece and place it opposite of the "front". It has to align with the cliff EXACTLY. If you make a mistake, the undo feature in the edit menu will not get you back where you need to be. You will have to place overlay back over the misplaced bridge and then repair the cliff first before going on. It also has to align with the "front" piece. This can be tricky.. try it with short bridges first and then gradually work on out to longer bridges. This will be clear in the next step. Click on the example picture for a full view.

Step #3: Now we're ready to connect the two bridge sections and complete our bridge. Before you proceed any further, look at the screenshot so you have an idea of what will take place. Now look in the scroll down menu on the left side of the editor, select Special Overlay>Bridges>High Bridges.  When your ready, click on the center of the "front piece" towards the inside with your mouse pointer, then hold down the left mouse button and DRAG the line you see on the map to the opposite side of your bridge and release the left mouse button when you get to the center inside of the "back" piece. If it was done correctly it should look like the one in the screen shot. If not, select edit in the top menu and choose undo...start over again. If your two bridge pieces are not lined up correctly then you won't be able to make a straight line to connect to the centers of the bridge pieces. Practice makes perfect. Just keep trying. Always start with a short bridge until you get the hang of it.

Step #4: Now you need a way to repair the bridges if they get damaged or destroyed in battle. Do not forget this step. Go to Buildings>Other> in the left menu. Find the Bridge Repair Hut and place it near the bridge. It cannot be placed on the edge of the cliff or it will not work. It cannot be placed on the bridge itself or it will not work. It must be placed near the bridge within a tile or two. You can place it kinda catty-cornered from the bridge corner if you want. (See the example picture.) Congrats! You just made a high bridge. This technique works for both paved and wooden bridges. In other words, if your building cliffs for a temperate or snow map the same thing applies.