Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 LordTyranicus Jan 06, 2015 13:20:34	Hi,   The group that I RPG with is getting ready to start up 5th ed for the first time, and we're looking to modify the way we play. With previous RPGs we've simply used the Chessex grid mats and markers to draw in maps, etc. However, this time around we're looking at purchasing a flat screen TV to play on, and as the DM I'm trying to find the best program to develop maps with.   Mind you we're not playing 100% virtual. We're all wargamers (Warhammer, Warmahordes, etc.) so we're definitely still using our tabletop minis and dice as we simulate combat and explore. Realistically all I want is for the map to be displayed on screen.   So from the small bit of research I've done, it seems like Battlegrounds might be a good program to go with, but I want to make sure I haven't missed anything that might be better. I'd like to have something where I could have all my maps premade, and then have the various sections not appear until the group actually enters those areas. I would also have to make sure the sqaures appear appropriate to the bases of the models (25mm, just like the Chessex maps). And of course, a program that has a large variety of objects and artwork to use is always preferable.   So any advice for which program would work best for simulating such map environments? Also, are there any really great programs that have surfaced for tracking combat, characters, etc? I know the official program was scrapped, and so the closest thing I've found thus far has been DM Minion.
#2 RasmusNord Jan 06, 2015 22:37:32	Campaign Cartographer with its Dungeon addition fits the bill. But it is if you want to go all in! I'm a newbie, but it is very cool.
#3 El_Condoro Jan 07, 2015 1:08:50	For tracking initiative, combat effects, hit points and all characters I use Fantasy Grounds. For creating maps, Campaign Cartographer and Dungeon Designer as mentioned, although Photoshop and the free GIMP are good if you are proficient with them.
#4 CFK Jan 07, 2015 3:33:42	I just started working on something for myself, what a coincidence!   My goal for creating something like this is to create a 2 screen process. The DM has 1 screen and on the table another screen is mounted into a table. The DM can create a map by dragging pre-made tiles into a grid-like map, rotating them as needed and adding things like traps or other, pre-made items to interact with. When the DM is done he/she can select an "UPDATE" function. When the function is called the map is transported to the screen on the table.   A fog-of-war like shroud cover the part the party are not yet able to see. Prefferably, when a door opens, only the line of sight is visable, not the entire room (Something thats hard to do with a normal battlegrid map). The players do need to have there miniatures on the table-screen. So the software doesn't know where they are. But the DM can click-and-drag them on his/her map. I'm not sure what to do about the monsters though. They can be software tokens or normal miniatures. I'm leaning more towards miniatures. I'm not skilled enough to make moveable monsters on the map so it won't make a real advantage.   One feature I have my sights on, is a line of sight checker. When a character or monster wants to do something, the programm should be able to check it's line of sight to see if it's possible and if the check should be made with dissadvantage or not.   Then there is a AOE function. The DM should be able to select a spell level, then the spell name, then the point of origin and last the position of the blast. The function then creates the AOE on the map.   I'm sure there should be 99 other ideas i'll have before it's done, but i'm focussing on these 4 fuctions: - Tile dragging and dungeon creation, - Fog of war with line of sight, - Line of sight checker, - AOE visuallisation.
#5 Sanndor Jan 07, 2015 7:40:56	Ok,  I am sure there are many ways of doing this but this is my thought.   Personally I have, and use, Campaign Cartographer 3(all 3 parts, Overland, Dungeon, City) to create maps.  It's pretty clunky and can be a pain in the rear at times but with a little effort you can get some fairly decent results.  Once you have the maps,  I think Roll20 could cover the rest of your needs.  You could run it on a laptop as the DM where it gives you different layers and a fairly large library of monster icons, furniture, etc.  Then it also has the ability to set up dynamic lighting which gives you a fog of war and line of sight ability or you can just go with the easy mode which is reveal map sections one at a time by deleting the fog of war via a selection tool.  With the layers you can keep monsters and whatnot on the DM layer and move them to the player layer as they are encountered.   Then you would need a second Laptop/PC connected to the flat screen.  Then that PC could be logged in to the Roll20 campaign as a player giving them the view of the player layer/map.   The Cons to this approach... you need 2 internet connected PCs/laptops to do this CC3 is not cheap Roll20 has a subscription if you want the dynamic lighting(but is free if you do not care about dynamic lighting).     The Pros..., you can create very detailed and professional looking maps Access to either dynamic lighting or at least a fog of war that can reveal the map peice by peice multiple layers so the DM can have all his secrets and only reveal them at the right time. DM has the ability to draw directly on the map in roll20 during play (can circle things or draw in lines or whatever to help players visualize what you are talking about) Players can drawn/notate directly on the map during play.  (label stuff for future reference, draw lines or arrows to illistrate what the are planning to do) drag and drop in monsters and items into your maps at will.    Techically if you do not want to, or can't afford CC3,  you can create dungeons directly in Roll20 and/or download free maps off the net.  Create the basic dungeon, drop in items and monsters as needed, and if you don't use the dynamic lighting this would be 100% free.  It's more time consuming and difficult but you can still produce some fairly decent dungeon maps in it.   Just my 2cp
#6 El_Condoro Jan 08, 2015 2:13:24	If you want a quick and easy Internet and free map try Pyromancer's tool. Www.pyromancers.com
#7 Ironxxx Jan 08, 2015 6:28:07	I've used VTTs and mapping software for a couple of years now. We started using Maptools http://www.rptools.net/?page=maptool which, while it has it's faults, is free and has great fogging and LOS features, excellent Layer options including a Hidden layer for keeping GM info and items, tools for creating tokens and tracking initiative and a great community. You can macro to your hearts content if you're technically minded or just install other users creations. It's also very easy to add any new tokens, new maps and mapping objects. Finally you can also export maps, layer by layer if neccesary, into image manipulation programs like GIMP to add effects and shadowing and so on. However, it is about to be replaced by its successor, Mote, a successfully kickstarted VTT which includes multiple audio playback among its many new features.   We  switched to the aforementioned Roll20 recently which is also very good. With the subscription its got great LOS features though its map creation elements are lacklustre compared to maptools. It does have a great Marketplace though and its constantly updated. Its also got powerful API scripting which is accessible with the sub which is fantastic. Its very stable, very easy to connect to and practically instant to load a map to a players PC, unlike maptools. It also uses Soundcloud for music and FX which works really well.   So if I were you I'd download Maptools (free) until Mote is available, use GIMP (free) to jazz your maps up and try Roll20 out for free to see what you think before paying the subscription. I do think if you're just using two computers and two screens in the same room then you could just use Maptools.   Here's some more useful links   Character and monster tokens http://immortalnights.com/tokensite/ (many are free, plus Devin can create ones for you based on your characters)   Downloadable maps from www.RPGMapshare.com (free maps) and marketplace.roll20.net for lots of things but especially great for objects and map tiles.   You can also check deviantart, loads of stuff on there.   Hope that helps
#8 Zalbarthemad Jan 08, 2015 7:14:02	Maptools all the way. Once you get a hang of it and whichever framework you're pick it becomes automatic and you can focus on playing instead of mechanics.
#9 Noctaem Jan 08, 2015 8:01:21	Maptools is my personal favorite, the amount of customization available to both player and DM in the program are just amazing.  The only thing is that this program can also be daunting to learn at first.
#10 LordTyranicus Jan 08, 2015 18:19:30	Thanks for all the replies. I've been making maps with Pyromancer's Tools the past couple days and I love the look of them, but the lack of FoW, etc. makes it a little hard to use for once we start playing.   Will definitely try out Maptools, however from what has been said it almost sounds like multiple computers are needed as what the players see is different from what I would see. Is that pretty much how it works, or is there a way to do it with only a single computer? The plan was to use the TV as an extended or mirrored monitor for my single laptop, so whatever would be seen on there would be seen on the screen the players would be using as a map.    Also, any tutorials for starting out with Maptools?
#11 Zalbarthemad Jan 15, 2015 20:18:05	There's plenty of tutorials for maptools on youtube. You can also, as a DM, click a button and see exactly what the players see.   For what you want to do you'd need at least 2 computers.
#12 PSusac Jan 15, 2015 20:29:06	The problem with Campaign Cartographer is you pretty much need an autocad degree in order to use the thing.  It's very unintuitive.   I tried Roll20 and I haven't been able to learn it yet.  It's not bad, but I haven't had the time to divote to the thing.   I'm using Powerpoint.  I pirated my Cartographer clip art into it, and it works great.  I can even use animations to simulate fog of war, have components move on my map etc.  It works great.  That said, I took a course in powerpoint at the community college, so I'm pretty good at making the thing do what I want it to do.  One nice thing you can do in powerpoint is create a template that let's you set the size of the slide to equal the size of the screen, so one inch on the slide = one inch on the screen.
#13 Ninja_Ferret Jan 15, 2015 20:39:19	I am looking into something like this as well. Is it possible to print off pages of maps to place on a table instead of using a monitor or something?