Encounter Maps - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Encounter Maps

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
xhazerdusx
Nov 24, 2009 9:47:42 Anyone know of any tools to generate tactical maps for encounters like the ones present in Dungeon magazine adventures? I'm writing an adventure for my campaign and I'd like to be able to make the maps on my PC and print them out. I'm trying to make my adventures into a nice format for archiving purposes.

Edit: The actual program they use for Dungeon mag would be nice, but not necessary.
#2
mcpatriot
Nov 24, 2009 15:42:25 I'd like to know if such an app exists as well.
#3
AaronOfBarbaria
Nov 24, 2009 22:56:18 Use of Photoshop (or GiMP) can pretty easily duplicate the feel and aproximate the look of most maps that can be found in the magazines/adventure modules.

It's all about getting the right patterns/textures and using the right layer effects, with the process at it's most basic being to lay down a layer filled with the "floor" that you want, and place a layer over it that is the generic grey/brown "blank area" on the maps, use a layer mask to show the floor through that layer, and some layer styles (a beveled edge and a black inner glow) to make the edges of the top layer look like walls.

I would actually be surprised if the WotC paid map artists used a different sort of program to do their work.
#4
pakman
Nov 25, 2009 22:18:31 I use visio for my encounter maps. I can easily import graphics, and drag and drop map elements.

Many use photoshop, or other graphical arts programs.

~ Pak

#5
loki-angel
Nov 26, 2009 1:43:28 I use Campaign Cartographer and Dungeon Cartographer: www.profantasy.com/
You can make some handy maps with this program and its very easy.
#6
Elothan
Nov 27, 2009 1:49:41 I use either Masterplan or gimp theese days.. offcource I helps that I make those old TSR style blue things. Pretty simple.
#7
likao
Nov 27, 2009 15:39:20
Anyone know of any tools to generate tactical maps for encounters like the ones present in Dungeon magazine adventures? I'm writing an adventure for my campaign and I'd like to be able to make the maps on my PC and print them out. I'm trying to make my adventures into a nice format for archiving purposes.

Edit: The actual program they use for Dungeon mag would be nice, but not necessary.

I also use Campaign Cartographer (with the Dungeon Designer add-on) from ProFantasy. I'm not much of a map-maker, or CAD operator, but I found it fairly easy to generate 5' : 1" battle maps to use for 4E.

Here's an example of a small dungeon I put together to learn the tool.

Similarly, here's a regional map I created while learning to use the base product.

#8
fatmanfeedbag
Jan 19, 2010 10:37:20 Have you guys seen DTiles? It's awesome for creating battle maps:

www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products...
#9
vman3force
Jan 19, 2010 16:41:26 I took scans of all the dungeon tile sets, cut them apart in photoshop, saved each tile as a seperate file, and then use photoshop to put them together in any combination i want. it lets me use duplicates of the same tile, and prints out to scale.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 xhazerdusx Nov 24, 2009 9:47:42	Anyone know of any tools to generate tactical maps for encounters like the ones present in Dungeon magazine adventures? I'm writing an adventure for my campaign and I'd like to be able to make the maps on my PC and print them out. I'm trying to make my adventures into a nice format for archiving purposes. Edit: The actual program they use for Dungeon mag would be nice, but not necessary.
#2 mcpatriot Nov 24, 2009 15:42:25	I'd like to know if such an app exists as well.
#3 AaronOfBarbaria Nov 24, 2009 22:56:18	Use of Photoshop (or GiMP) can pretty easily duplicate the feel and aproximate the look of most maps that can be found in the magazines/adventure modules. It's all about getting the right patterns/textures and using the right layer effects, with the process at it's most basic being to lay down a layer filled with the "floor" that you want, and place a layer over it that is the generic grey/brown "blank area" on the maps, use a layer mask to show the floor through that layer, and some layer styles (a beveled edge and a black inner glow) to make the edges of the top layer look like walls. I would actually be surprised if the WotC paid map artists used a different sort of program to do their work.
#4 pakman Nov 25, 2009 22:18:31	I use visio for my encounter maps. I can easily import graphics, and drag and drop map elements. Many use photoshop, or other graphical arts programs. ~ Pak
#5 loki-angel Nov 26, 2009 1:43:28	I use Campaign Cartographer and Dungeon Cartographer: www.profantasy.com/ You can make some handy maps with this program and its very easy.
#6 Elothan Nov 27, 2009 1:49:41	I use either Masterplan or gimp theese days.. offcource I helps that I make those old TSR style blue things. Pretty simple.
#7 likao Nov 27, 2009 15:39:20	Anyone know of any tools to generate tactical maps for encounters like the ones present in Dungeon magazine adventures? I'm writing an adventure for my campaign and I'd like to be able to make the maps on my PC and print them out. I'm trying to make my adventures into a nice format for archiving purposes. Edit: The actual program they use for Dungeon mag would be nice, but not necessary. I also use Campaign Cartographer (with the Dungeon Designer add-on) from ProFantasy. I'm not much of a map-maker, or CAD operator, but I found it fairly easy to generate 5' : 1" battle maps to use for 4E. Here's an example of a small dungeon I put together to learn the tool. Similarly, here's a regional map I created while learning to use the base product.
#8 fatmanfeedbag Jan 19, 2010 10:37:20	Have you guys seen DTiles? It's awesome for creating battle maps: www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products...
#9 vman3force Jan 19, 2010 16:41:26	I took scans of all the dungeon tile sets, cut them apart in photoshop, saved each tile as a seperate file, and then use photoshop to put them together in any combination i want. it lets me use duplicates of the same tile, and prints out to scale.