Advice concerning Maps for a bought adventure [Archive] - Wizards Community

Advice concerning Maps for a bought adventure [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Satrek
03-24-08, 03:05 AM First of all, this being my first post, I hope I didn't miss anything while searching and browsing through the forums.
Now, my question relates to the Expedition to the Demonweb Pits adventure setting. I intend to play it through with my group, no abridges version, and as such I want to be prepared just in case they decide they want to see every encounter there is. I should also note that we're using miniatures.

Every encounter has a small map provided, which is obviously way too small for any kind of miniature one could handle without forceps. Of course, one might scan these, edit out the DM-only material, and try to scale it thus that it prints out properly.
And I know one might just draw all those maps up on graph paper, but we'd enjoy some color in our maps, and personally I think I'd go nuts from drawing all those strands of webbing in order to make the maps look real enough.

Now, my question is this: is there an easier way to do this?
herrdoktor
03-24-08, 04:14 AM not sure if this is really helpful, but...
my group uses a large laminated sheet (gridded with 1in x 1in squares for minis) and wet erase markers (for combat - small maps for rp if we need 'em ('this is how the mansion is laid out')).

personally, i hate it when an adventure has names/etc. on its maps, since 1) it clutters them up and 2) it makes it harder to adapt them to your own adventure (i know the numbered rooms thing is annoying while trying to look up what the heck it means, but it's annoying when people can't help but keep looking at the room called the 'Room of the Infernal Stain,' when it's supposed to be the cleric of Pelor's bedroom)
Satrek
03-24-08, 04:21 PM The idea is good, but I don't think it will work well in this case, since some maps can or will be reused, and drawing them up as the players walk through the Demonweb would slow things down too much - especially if someone decides they forgot something in the last room just when it has been whiped...

I'll keep that option in mind, though, I just need to find a place that sells apropriate mats arround here, here being germany, where the inch isn't that common ;).
herrdoktor
03-24-08, 11:00 PM well, you could always just draw the lines onto poster paper and then get that laminated (i assume that's how my friend made his)
Positronica
03-25-08, 10:19 AM Do you have any of the Dungeon Tile sets? If so, use the online tile mapper at hordlings to recreate the provided maps as best you can ahead of time, and then make a print out to use as an assembly guide while you are planning.
Kouk
03-25-08, 10:28 AM http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1007082

Similar issue.
mvincent
03-25-08, 03:24 PM one might scan these, edit out the DM-only material, and try to scale it <snip>
is there an easier way to do this?1) Instead of scanning, just go here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/4map/20070430a)
2) You could probably just leave in the DM information (which is mostly miniature placement anyway)
3) For scaling:
..a) Use MSword (or similar word processor) with the rulers (view->ruler) showing and the print margins (file->page setup->margins) set to minimum.
..b) Use the 'crop' tool (on the picture toolbar) to work with just a small part of the map.
..c) Using resize, align the map's grid with the inch markers on the ruler
..d) Using 'crop' again, expand (uncrop) the picture to take up a full page (8"x10"), then print that section.
..e) To print another section of the map easily, just crop one-side of the picture all the way in, then uncrop the opposite side. Continue until you've printed out the complete map.
..f) Tape the sections together
Satrek
03-25-08, 04:14 PM Thanks for the feedback, I'll certainly look into getting a sheet or two laminated.

@Kouk: Hm... point taken, it is indeed a lot of work. I agree that it probably is not worth it regarding the players' response as opposed to a good verbal description. Maybe I will switch to drawing up a quick reference map. I want to test both methods first, I'm also investigating Dundjinni for a bit of mapping on the sides, but you have a strong argument there.

@mvincent: sounds like a good way of getting them to print properly. I knew of that galery, but I figured they were too small to print out properly. On second glance, I think I'll give them a try.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Satrek 03-24-08, 03:05 AM	First of all, this being my first post, I hope I didn't miss anything while searching and browsing through the forums. Now, my question relates to the Expedition to the Demonweb Pits adventure setting. I intend to play it through with my group, no abridges version, and as such I want to be prepared just in case they decide they want to see every encounter there is. I should also note that we're using miniatures. Every encounter has a small map provided, which is obviously way too small for any kind of miniature one could handle without forceps. Of course, one might scan these, edit out the DM-only material, and try to scale it thus that it prints out properly. And I know one might just draw all those maps up on graph paper, but we'd enjoy some color in our maps, and personally I think I'd go nuts from drawing all those strands of webbing in order to make the maps look real enough. Now, my question is this: is there an easier way to do this?
herrdoktor 03-24-08, 04:14 AM	not sure if this is really helpful, but... my group uses a large laminated sheet (gridded with 1in x 1in squares for minis) and wet erase markers (for combat - small maps for rp if we need 'em ('this is how the mansion is laid out')). personally, i hate it when an adventure has names/etc. on its maps, since 1) it clutters them up and 2) it makes it harder to adapt them to your own adventure (i know the numbered rooms thing is annoying while trying to look up what the heck it means, but it's annoying when people can't help but keep looking at the room called the 'Room of the Infernal Stain,' when it's supposed to be the cleric of Pelor's bedroom)
Satrek 03-24-08, 04:21 PM	The idea is good, but I don't think it will work well in this case, since some maps can or will be reused, and drawing them up as the players walk through the Demonweb would slow things down too much - especially if someone decides they forgot something in the last room just when it has been whiped... I'll keep that option in mind, though, I just need to find a place that sells apropriate mats arround here, here being germany, where the inch isn't that common ;).
herrdoktor 03-24-08, 11:00 PM	well, you could always just draw the lines onto poster paper and then get that laminated (i assume that's how my friend made his)
Positronica 03-25-08, 10:19 AM	Do you have any of the Dungeon Tile sets? If so, use the online tile mapper at hordlings to recreate the provided maps as best you can ahead of time, and then make a print out to use as an assembly guide while you are planning.
Kouk 03-25-08, 10:28 AM	http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1007082 Similar issue.
mvincent 03-25-08, 03:24 PM	one might scan these, edit out the DM-only material, and try to scale it <snip> is there an easier way to do this?1) Instead of scanning, just go here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/4map/20070430a) 2) You could probably just leave in the DM information (which is mostly miniature placement anyway) 3) For scaling: ..a) Use MSword (or similar word processor) with the rulers (view->ruler) showing and the print margins (file->page setup->margins) set to minimum. ..b) Use the 'crop' tool (on the picture toolbar) to work with just a small part of the map. ..c) Using resize, align the map's grid with the inch markers on the ruler ..d) Using 'crop' again, expand (uncrop) the picture to take up a full page (8"x10"), then print that section. ..e) To print another section of the map easily, just crop one-side of the picture all the way in, then uncrop the opposite side. Continue until you've printed out the complete map. ..f) Tape the sections together
Satrek 03-25-08, 04:14 PM	Thanks for the feedback, I'll certainly look into getting a sheet or two laminated. @Kouk: Hm... point taken, it is indeed a lot of work. I agree that it probably is not worth it regarding the players' response as opposed to a good verbal description. Maybe I will switch to drawing up a quick reference map. I want to test both methods first, I'm also investigating Dundjinni for a bit of mapping on the sides, but you have a strong argument there. @mvincent: sounds like a good way of getting them to print properly. I knew of that galery, but I figured they were too small to print out properly. On second glance, I think I'll give them a try.