Recently I've been experimenting with connecting various 1:1 maps together so that multiple different 1:1 maps can be played on the same profile at the same time. Essentially just like a 'map combo' except it's based on 1:1 maps rather than being based on the default Europe map.
At present I've created connector mods that allow you to use Pomezania and the FSG Map in combination with the Grand Utopia Map, see the image below:
[ external image ]
(from left to right, FSG -> Grand Utopia -> Pomezania)
How does this work?
To briefly summarize how maps in ETS2 work, each map is built on a .mbd file ("Map Binary Data" file iirc). The Defualt Europe map is built on europe.mbd, and any map mod that connects to/edits the default Europe map is also built on the europe.mbd file. Basically, if two maps both share the same .mbd file, they can both be loaded at the same time. This is how 'map combos' for the default map work, they're just a collection of maps all based on europe.mbd.
So with that knowledge, the same technique can be applied to standalone maps, as long as the both share the same .mbd file name then they can both be loaded at the same time on the same profile.
So to make FGS and Pomezania work with Grand Utopia I've simply changed the .mbd file of FSG and Pomezania to be the same as Grand Utopia's .mbd file. (grandutopia.mbd) Add in a few ferry connections and the result is the ability to play Grand Utopia, FSG and Pomezania at the same time, on the same profile. simple!
How can I, the player, make this work?
To make use of the connector mods I've made, you'll need to have a game profile that is running 'grandutopia.mbd'. If you've used Grand Utopia on a profile before, you're all set up and good to go. If you've not used Grand Utopia before you'll have to make a new profile and enable Grand Utopia on it. (There's probably many tutorial videos on YouTube for this if you need help)
Once you've got Grand Utopia running, Download the original Pomezania and/or FSG mods from their respective download links, and download my connector mods for the map mods you wish to use with Grand Utopia.
Then you simply have to enable all the mods on your grand Utopia profile in the correct order (info below)
Connector Downloads and Information:
Pomezania - Grand Utopia Connection:
DOWNLOAD (Google Drive)
Created for ets2 version 1.44, other versions may be compatible but there is no guaranteed support for this
FSG Map - Grand Utopia Connection:
DOWNLOAD (Google Drive)
Created for ets2 version 1.44, other versions may be compatible but there is no guaranteed support for this
How to install
The original mods (Pomezania, FSG and Grand Utopia) are required in order for this mod to run. Please download the original mods from their official download links.
You can use just one connector if you just want to use one other map in combination with Grand Utopia, or you can use both connectors at the same time in order to run all three maps at once.
Recommended Load order for Pomezania & Grand Utopia ONLY:
[top]
Pomezania - Grand Utopia Connection
Grand Utopia
Pomezania
[bottom]
Pomezania can also be placed above Grand Utopia but the background map will look worse
Recommended Load order for FSG & Grand Utopia ONLY:
[top]
FSG - Grand Utopia Connection
All 4 FSG mod files
Grand Utopia
[bottom]
Recommended Load order for FSG, Pomezania AND Grand Utopia:
[top]
FSG - Grand Utopia Connection
All 4 FSG mod files
Pomezania - Grand Utopia Connection
Grand Utopia
Pomezania
[bottom]
Pomezania can also be placed above Grand Utopia
Please Note!
This is still very experimental, I've done a few test drives and the map appears to be stable without crashes. You may find that the maps aren't completely compatible with each other. (Pomezania changes some vanilla assets which causes said assets to change in Grand Utopia/FSG areas too which may create some bugs)
There may also be an increased amount of vegetation based bugs in FSG, this is due to the FSG having to be moved East of it's usual location which affects the game's random vegetation distribution (trees and ect may overlap the road more for example)
Please do not report bugs to the original map authors when using the connectors, check that the bug still occurs on a profile with just the original map mod active first. If you do experience a bug caused by the connectors, post a reply here and I'll see if I can do something about it.
Disclaimer:
This mod only contains map sector files and definition files. No copyrighted content from Pomezania, FSG or Grand Utopia is included in this mod.
The original mods (Pomezania, FSG and Grand Utopia) are required in order for this mod to run. Please download the original mods from their official download links.
All credit goes to the respective mod authors, I do not claim credit or ownership for the work included in this mod or the original mods (Pomezania, FSG and Grand Utopia)
If any of the Authors of the original mods are unhappy with this concept, please reach out and I will be happy to discuss it or remove the mod files.