Forge question

Not exactly, but I think you if you open a random map in galaxy forge, it will generate a single instance of a random map, that you can then save into a premade map (at least in the Diplomacy version). So you would just need to add the other planets.

Otherwise, you can copy an existing random map and paste it into the "MapDesigner" folder. You can then go into the in game map designer and just increase the number of planets in the various planet groups, or add a solar system or two.

I guess if you feel confident you could also open one of the random maps in Notepad, there you can copy and paste say all the code for a solar system to add another one. Just be careful to include all the lines in a section and to update all the counts.

goafan for the notepad method you would also have to alter/adjust the planet/star/phase lanes/wormholes identification numbers AND locations for the copied sections.

harpo

If all OP wants is a random map with more planets, he could just make a copy of the random map and increase the minCount and maxCount of all the planetGroups, and then paste it into his GalaxyForge folder so the game loads it without overwriting anything.

pretty sure in a random that is not necessary.

ring
starRadiusRange
minPercentage 0.3
maxPercentage 0.7
militiaColonizationPerc 0
planetGroupCount 1
planetGroup
minCount 9
maxCount 9
planetTypeCount 1
planetType "WeightedRandom"

you can simply add a ring with desired planets and update the ring count. I have customized most of the randoms in SOA without issue.

here is 1 colonized planet in a ring

ring
starRadiusRange
minPercentage 0.3
maxPercentage 0.7
militiaColonizationPerc 1
planetGroupCount 1
planetGroup
minCount 0
maxCount 1
planetTypeCount 1
planetType "RandomXClass"

mincount 0, maxcount 1 gives the map a chance at not having one. 
starRadiusRange, the star is at 0 and homeworlds are at 1, so 0.3 is where the typical pirate base is to almost as far out as the homeworld. The planet will be somewhere in that range with random connections. 

For a fixed map yes. Not for a random map, or at least there isn't as much of that so it should be tolerable.

I made the comment that I did as there is (IN the STOCK maps) a large singlestar random map that does NOT use the mapdesigner structure, but for the map designer maps then it is just a copy and paste, and adjust the stars counts.

harpo