Cartagraphy [Archive] - Wizards Community

Cartagraphy [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
JamesDruidDM
11-16-05, 09:37 PM I think I spelled that wrong, pretty sure theres an O in there but whatever

I know this has been brought up in these threads many many times.

but - for mapping - not dungeon mapping but world mapping what is a good program, I have tried it in photoshop and found that the 12 page (6wide 2 tall) world map I have created just doesnt go with photoshop very well mostly because trying to scan it into the computer is damn near impossible.

So is there anything you guys use for world mapping that is good, and more importanly has a good demo version, I refuse to buy something if the demo is garbage.

Thanks guys/girls
MrFahrenheit
11-16-05, 11:32 PM I just use Paint, lol.

Dark blue for seas and oceans, light blue for rivers, dark green for plains, light green spray paint for forests, tan for mountains, white for snow, yellow for desert and brown for roads.
Benny BBQ
11-16-05, 11:52 PM Well, I'd say this largely depends on your mapping skill. If you're not as good as you'd like to be, don't be to hard on yourself (especially if your PCs don't get to see your maps...).

Personally I draw them by hand on normal printing paper and then scan them for maximal image quality. I usually don't put the name of the places on maps, as I add them later on with a computer program called PhotoStudio 5.5 (apparently, Photoshop is much better, but I'm not as good with it as I wish I were -- I'm slowly improving). I've never seen a demo version of it; it came with our computer. You can do pretty much everything that needs to be done on maps with it.

Ehmm, something else you probably won't want to do is color your maps as you draw them; computer programs usually give a much better result.

The thing that I think would be the most useful to me is an electronic pen (you know, like a mouse, except it's a pen...); apparently, the control it gives you is awesome.

Just remember to make extensive use of the "layer" functions, and the map'll come out good (I wish I sould show you some of the work I've done... I don't know how to put something I have done on a post...).

Good Luck!
Ogmug
11-17-05, 12:42 AM Profantasy software

with only 5 hours work, got this

http://www.geocities.com/ogmug/narush
Nithendil
11-17-05, 01:20 AM Civilization 3, the world building portion of the program (if you do not mind computer generated maps). You can make a decent map in 15 minutes (I added the text with MS paint).

http://members.cox.net/nightspirit/Thelron.JPG
Benny BBQ
11-17-05, 01:46 AM Nithendil, this is rather impressive (in 15 minutes!). I'm going to have to give this a real good look.

Thanks a Lot! :D
WCH
11-17-05, 02:54 AM Here's my map, made in MS Paint using the spraypaint tool and much editing.: http://www.forsakenlegion.com/images/Map.PNG
Fixxxer
11-17-05, 02:55 AM I have tried it in photoshop and found that the 12 page (6wide 2 tall) world map I have created just doesnt go with photoshop very well mostly because trying to scan it into the computer is damn near impossible.

The thing about using Photoshop to do your world is that you really only need the draw the continental outlines by hand. The rest of it should probably be done within the program itself and various layers. I'd suggest scanning your maps in as low resolution greyscale images to remove most of the distractions from them. Afterwards, drag them all to a larger empty document and piece them together. Then create a new layer and use the pen tool (or a stylus, if you have one) to trace the outline of the continents. When you're done, stroke the outline to produce a nice black outline to work with. Then throw the background layer (the layer with all the scanned maps) away. Afterwards, you can create a new layer to fill with water texture as the oceans, lakes and rivers and another new layer for each terrain type you'll use, another for mountains, another for forests, etc. Doing it this way keeps the file size small (by comparison, of course) and allows you to go back and change anything you want later. You think there should be an island that isn't there now? Add it in. Should the forest extend a bit farther? Make it so.

Photoshop is the absolute best tool for mapping as far as I'm concerned (though I suppose any good layer-based program might work). Additionally, combined with Adobe Illustrator, it does wonderul cities and dungeons as well.
braindead345
11-17-05, 04:17 AM The thing about using Photoshop to do your world is that you really only need the draw the continental outlines by hand. The rest of it should probably be done within the program itself and various layers...

Photoshop is the absolute best tool for mapping as far as I'm concerned (though I suppose any good layer-based program might work). Additionally, combined with Adobe Illustrator, it does wonderul cities and dungeons as well.

I disagree with having to draw the map first. Use an actual map of an island or continent and morph it a little (flip it over, rotate it, cut the middle out of the map to change the shape, whatever). You now have an instant map-complete with waterways, mountain ranges and towns. Just boost the scale to make the land mass as large as you want. I would suggest either using small unfamiliar islands or seriously reworking a continent-in other words don't give them something easy to recognize.
Flushpuppie
11-17-05, 04:54 AM well, I've posted it before.

I downloaded the Fearun atlas, sought after the bits of the map I needed for my campaign, and used photoshop to sew them together. You'll get beautiful maps this way. the only thing is that you'll have to use the fearun names. (which are very good too, so I don't care) but if you're a bit of a photoshop artist you'll erase them with no prob.

If you like this idea but don't know how to do it, PM me because I know lots of Photoshop functions adn tricks.

hope this helped!

Job
Strythium
11-17-05, 07:46 AM I use Dundjinni for my mapping needs. You can find it at www.dundjinni.com (http://www.dundjinni.com) .
JamesDruidDM
11-17-05, 03:30 PM thanks, I am a Graphic artist, and I really do want a wacom tablet (the pen thing that lets you draw, just I am poor)

Ogmug that was really good, I think I will take a look into that , I like the boundries for the kingdoms, does that program output in a /\/\/\ cut world format?

Nithendil - is that a game? 3D is nice and all but I dont tjhink my boss would like it if I was playin a game...you know that whole work ethic thing
Fixxxer
11-17-05, 04:08 PM I disagree with having to draw the map first. Use an actual map of an island or continent and morph it a little (flip it over, rotate it, cut the middle out of the map to change the shape, whatever). You now have an instant map-complete with waterways, mountain ranges and towns. Just boost the scale to make the land mass as large as you want. I would suggest either using small unfamiliar islands or seriously reworking a continent-in other words don't give them something easy to recognize.

Granted. It was my assumption that he already had a map and wanted to use that one. Naturally, if you're just working on a brand new map, it would be easier to skip the scanning and do exactly as you said.
Sulaco
11-17-05, 04:32 PM Photoshop. Anything else is...uncivilized.
JamesDruidDM
11-17-05, 04:56 PM I dont think I ever claimed to be civilized ... :)

And yes this is a map I have drawn on graph paper as I said above its 6 pages wide and two pages tall, its fairly big, and scanning just wont work and I dont have 600 hours in photoshop to spend recreating it, and no wacom tablet, I think If I had one of theose I would be ok but seeing as I would have to recrate it digitally from scratch Photoshop will just take to long (and illustrator and I dont get along, I beat it up once ever scince then it wont work)

but I got some good suggestions, I appreciate it as always

:cheer: for you guys
StormCrow42
11-17-05, 05:26 PM You might also be interested in checking out Campaign Cartographer and/or Fractal Terrains from ProFantasy (http://www.profantasy.com/).
primemover003
11-17-05, 06:15 PM Hell just use Google Earth and steal interesting portions of the real world... then photoshop it. It's hard to beat real satellite images of a real planet!!!
scott644
11-17-05, 06:29 PM Fractal Mapper 7.0 works very nicely. It allows you to do a great flat map, and comes with a LOT of options on detail, graphics, and so on. Also came (when I got it) with a fractal world maker that I never used but understand from others who did is even better.
Rabscuttle
11-18-05, 08:59 PM Photoshop isn't as civilized as drawing by hand is civilized.

I draw by hand (on graph paper) because I don't like the look of the computer generated maps - they look too accurate.

I do scan my maps so that I can have different levels of detail to give to the characters.

The only clever thing I've thought to do with maps is fudge the length of a mile to be 1600 yards instead of 1760. It makes it much easier to scale down to the players level from an overview map. I'd expect this works just as well for people who know how to use something more advanced than a pen or pencil.
Bane
11-18-05, 09:42 PM I cheated. I figure my players will never see a world map, or even a continent map. So I used Earth, as it was 2000 years ago. They're in South America, because it has a wonderful variety of climates and terrain types.
WCH
11-18-05, 10:05 PM I cheated. I figure my players will never see a world map, or even a continent map. So I used Earth, as it was 2000 years ago. They're in South America, because it has a wonderful variety of climates and terrain types.Heh... my continent is Antarctica. I took a picture of it, rotated it to get the part I wanted to be North facing up and spraypainted some terrain on it. Looks completely different now.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
JamesDruidDM 11-16-05, 09:37 PM	I think I spelled that wrong, pretty sure theres an O in there but whatever I know this has been brought up in these threads many many times. but - for mapping - not dungeon mapping but world mapping what is a good program, I have tried it in photoshop and found that the 12 page (6wide 2 tall) world map I have created just doesnt go with photoshop very well mostly because trying to scan it into the computer is damn near impossible. So is there anything you guys use for world mapping that is good, and more importanly has a good demo version, I refuse to buy something if the demo is garbage. Thanks guys/girls
MrFahrenheit 11-16-05, 11:32 PM	I just use Paint, lol. Dark blue for seas and oceans, light blue for rivers, dark green for plains, light green spray paint for forests, tan for mountains, white for snow, yellow for desert and brown for roads.
Benny BBQ 11-16-05, 11:52 PM	Well, I'd say this largely depends on your mapping skill. If you're not as good as you'd like to be, don't be to hard on yourself (especially if your PCs don't get to see your maps...). Personally I draw them by hand on normal printing paper and then scan them for maximal image quality. I usually don't put the name of the places on maps, as I add them later on with a computer program called PhotoStudio 5.5 (apparently, Photoshop is much better, but I'm not as good with it as I wish I were -- I'm slowly improving). I've never seen a demo version of it; it came with our computer. You can do pretty much everything that needs to be done on maps with it. Ehmm, something else you probably won't want to do is color your maps as you draw them; computer programs usually give a much better result. The thing that I think would be the most useful to me is an electronic pen (you know, like a mouse, except it's a pen...); apparently, the control it gives you is awesome. Just remember to make extensive use of the "layer" functions, and the map'll come out good (I wish I sould show you some of the work I've done... I don't know how to put something I have done on a post...). Good Luck!
Ogmug 11-17-05, 12:42 AM	Profantasy software with only 5 hours work, got this http://www.geocities.com/ogmug/narush
Nithendil 11-17-05, 01:20 AM	Civilization 3, the world building portion of the program (if you do not mind computer generated maps). You can make a decent map in 15 minutes (I added the text with MS paint). http://members.cox.net/nightspirit/Thelron.JPG
Benny BBQ 11-17-05, 01:46 AM	Nithendil, this is rather impressive (in 15 minutes!). I'm going to have to give this a real good look. Thanks a Lot! :D
WCH 11-17-05, 02:54 AM	Here's my map, made in MS Paint using the spraypaint tool and much editing.: http://www.forsakenlegion.com/images/Map.PNG
Fixxxer 11-17-05, 02:55 AM	I have tried it in photoshop and found that the 12 page (6wide 2 tall) world map I have created just doesnt go with photoshop very well mostly because trying to scan it into the computer is damn near impossible. The thing about using Photoshop to do your world is that you really only need the draw the continental outlines by hand. The rest of it should probably be done within the program itself and various layers. I'd suggest scanning your maps in as low resolution greyscale images to remove most of the distractions from them. Afterwards, drag them all to a larger empty document and piece them together. Then create a new layer and use the pen tool (or a stylus, if you have one) to trace the outline of the continents. When you're done, stroke the outline to produce a nice black outline to work with. Then throw the background layer (the layer with all the scanned maps) away. Afterwards, you can create a new layer to fill with water texture as the oceans, lakes and rivers and another new layer for each terrain type you'll use, another for mountains, another for forests, etc. Doing it this way keeps the file size small (by comparison, of course) and allows you to go back and change anything you want later. You think there should be an island that isn't there now? Add it in. Should the forest extend a bit farther? Make it so. Photoshop is the absolute best tool for mapping as far as I'm concerned (though I suppose any good layer-based program might work). Additionally, combined with Adobe Illustrator, it does wonderul cities and dungeons as well.
braindead345 11-17-05, 04:17 AM	The thing about using Photoshop to do your world is that you really only need the draw the continental outlines by hand. The rest of it should probably be done within the program itself and various layers... Photoshop is the absolute best tool for mapping as far as I'm concerned (though I suppose any good layer-based program might work). Additionally, combined with Adobe Illustrator, it does wonderul cities and dungeons as well. I disagree with having to draw the map first. Use an actual map of an island or continent and morph it a little (flip it over, rotate it, cut the middle out of the map to change the shape, whatever). You now have an instant map-complete with waterways, mountain ranges and towns. Just boost the scale to make the land mass as large as you want. I would suggest either using small unfamiliar islands or seriously reworking a continent-in other words don't give them something easy to recognize.
Flushpuppie 11-17-05, 04:54 AM	well, I've posted it before. I downloaded the Fearun atlas, sought after the bits of the map I needed for my campaign, and used photoshop to sew them together. You'll get beautiful maps this way. the only thing is that you'll have to use the fearun names. (which are very good too, so I don't care) but if you're a bit of a photoshop artist you'll erase them with no prob. If you like this idea but don't know how to do it, PM me because I know lots of Photoshop functions adn tricks. hope this helped! Job
Strythium 11-17-05, 07:46 AM	I use Dundjinni for my mapping needs. You can find it at www.dundjinni.com (http://www.dundjinni.com) .
JamesDruidDM 11-17-05, 03:30 PM	thanks, I am a Graphic artist, and I really do want a wacom tablet (the pen thing that lets you draw, just I am poor) Ogmug that was really good, I think I will take a look into that , I like the boundries for the kingdoms, does that program output in a /\/\/\ cut world format? Nithendil - is that a game? 3D is nice and all but I dont tjhink my boss would like it if I was playin a game...you know that whole work ethic thing
Fixxxer 11-17-05, 04:08 PM	I disagree with having to draw the map first. Use an actual map of an island or continent and morph it a little (flip it over, rotate it, cut the middle out of the map to change the shape, whatever). You now have an instant map-complete with waterways, mountain ranges and towns. Just boost the scale to make the land mass as large as you want. I would suggest either using small unfamiliar islands or seriously reworking a continent-in other words don't give them something easy to recognize. Granted. It was my assumption that he already had a map and wanted to use that one. Naturally, if you're just working on a brand new map, it would be easier to skip the scanning and do exactly as you said.
Sulaco 11-17-05, 04:32 PM	Photoshop. Anything else is...uncivilized.
JamesDruidDM 11-17-05, 04:56 PM	I dont think I ever claimed to be civilized ... :) And yes this is a map I have drawn on graph paper as I said above its 6 pages wide and two pages tall, its fairly big, and scanning just wont work and I dont have 600 hours in photoshop to spend recreating it, and no wacom tablet, I think If I had one of theose I would be ok but seeing as I would have to recrate it digitally from scratch Photoshop will just take to long (and illustrator and I dont get along, I beat it up once ever scince then it wont work) but I got some good suggestions, I appreciate it as always :cheer: for you guys
StormCrow42 11-17-05, 05:26 PM	You might also be interested in checking out Campaign Cartographer and/or Fractal Terrains from ProFantasy (http://www.profantasy.com/).
primemover003 11-17-05, 06:15 PM	Hell just use Google Earth and steal interesting portions of the real world... then photoshop it. It's hard to beat real satellite images of a real planet!!!
scott644 11-17-05, 06:29 PM	Fractal Mapper 7.0 works very nicely. It allows you to do a great flat map, and comes with a LOT of options on detail, graphics, and so on. Also came (when I got it) with a fractal world maker that I never used but understand from others who did is even better.
Rabscuttle 11-18-05, 08:59 PM	Photoshop isn't as civilized as drawing by hand is civilized. I draw by hand (on graph paper) because I don't like the look of the computer generated maps - they look too accurate. I do scan my maps so that I can have different levels of detail to give to the characters. The only clever thing I've thought to do with maps is fudge the length of a mile to be 1600 yards instead of 1760. It makes it much easier to scale down to the players level from an overview map. I'd expect this works just as well for people who know how to use something more advanced than a pen or pencil.
Bane 11-18-05, 09:42 PM	I cheated. I figure my players will never see a world map, or even a continent map. So I used Earth, as it was 2000 years ago. They're in South America, because it has a wonderful variety of climates and terrain types.
WCH 11-18-05, 10:05 PM	I cheated. I figure my players will never see a world map, or even a continent map. So I used Earth, as it was 2000 years ago. They're in South America, because it has a wonderful variety of climates and terrain types.Heh... my continent is Antarctica. I took a picture of it, rotated it to get the part I wanted to be North facing up and spraypainted some terrain on it. Looks completely different now.