Homebrew World Mapping Program? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Homebrew World Mapping Program?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
xhazerdusx
Jun 11, 2009 14:23:54 I'm currently designing a homebrew campaign setting and I'd like to start making maps for it. I'd like to make a world map, regional maps, etc.

Anyone know of a good (preferably free) program that could help with this?

If not, what methods do you use to start making maps?
#2
DragonsWrath
Jun 11, 2009 20:58:01 I'm a fan of RPG Maker 2003.

It's stupidly simple, and works very well for world maps. The only real problem is that it doesn't support any sort of print function, so you have to printscreen and photoshop the different images together.

This shouldn't be too hard, but if you don't have a freeware Photoshop variant, check out GIMP and Paint.NET
Google either/both of those and you should have no trouble.

For an example of what RPG Maker 2003 looks like, check out this thread:
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1201483
\
;)

Apparently RPGM03 is not free, and I somehow acquired an illegal copy. Not sure how I stumbled upon it, but now that I know I don't plan on advertising it as freeware. I'm editing this post since someone bumped the thread. :/

#3
Jurgen_Hubert
Jun 12, 2009 5:01:01
This shouldn't be too hard, but if you don't have a freeware Photoshop variant, check out GIMP and Paint.NET
Google either/both of those and you should have no trouble.

I second GIMP. Inkscape is also very useful, and also free. I made a bunch of cartography tutorials for them.
#4
turtlshellz
Jun 12, 2009 5:09:48 You could also try out Autorealm - it is a free map maker that supports both dungeon, city and world maps. Not the best program but it is the best that I have found that is free at least. Just google it, I am at work right now and dont have access to the site, sorry.
#5
xhazerdusx
Jun 12, 2009 10:34:14 Thanks for the suggestions so far.

I remember reading some time ago about a program that did maps with hexes. Select a map dimension, drop water into water hexes, etc etc. Anyone familiar with such a program? I figure I can use that then clean it up using those nice sounding tutorials someone just posted here.
#6
turtlshellz
Jun 13, 2009 5:20:17 If I remember right - it has been awhile since I used my copy of it - Auto-Realm has that sort of a function. But then again so does Campaign Cartographer :P
#7
gamerprinter
Jun 27, 2009 13:59:13 Here's an extended list of Map Making Software from a list on the Cartographers' Guild - there are very many choices at your disposal, some free, some not.

List of Map Software

GP

PS: I think there's a program called Hexagrapher that does what you're asking, but most apps can do that to, though working on a hex only paradigm, is pretty clunky for effective mapping. I am a pro fantasy cartographer, so I know.
#8
xhazerdusx
Jun 28, 2009 12:27:11 Oh, are you, Gamerprinter? Awesome!

What programs do you use? Or do you not use one specific program?
#9
chapien
Jun 28, 2009 12:58:01 Well, there IS Campaign Cartographer 3 (this is what I use), made by ProFantasy, but is unfortunately not free. But you can still check it out at profantasy.com
#10
gamerprinter
Jun 28, 2009 22:47:30
Oh, are you, Gamerprinter? Awesome!

What programs do you use? Or do you not use one specific program?

Yes, I am! ;)

I use Xara Xtreme Pro - a vector based drawing program, but I'm pretty sure, I'm the only one who uses it for mapping! Its very much like Illustrator, Serif Drawplus, CorelDraw and many other applications, but it ain't free, although the Lite version only costs about $49 and is perfectly usable to create maps with, there are many cheaper alternatives.

I use Xara because I run my own graphic design studio, and while I also use Photoshop, for vector work I far prefer Xara - its quick to learn, easy to use and extremely fast.

While I use Xara for most of my mapping, I even use it to composite the final design even if I'm using GIMP, or doing hand-drawn stuff that's scanned in. I also use 3D apps, exotic apps like PD-Particles and a couple others.

There are many great apps out there, you just need to find what fits your budget and your design style. I have some tutorials using Xara for maps at the Cartographers' Guild, if you're really interested.

GP

PS: Hazerdus, do you know me? or of me? From where?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 xhazerdusx Jun 11, 2009 14:23:54	I'm currently designing a homebrew campaign setting and I'd like to start making maps for it. I'd like to make a world map, regional maps, etc. Anyone know of a good (preferably free) program that could help with this? If not, what methods do you use to start making maps?
#2 DragonsWrath Jun 11, 2009 20:58:01	I'm a fan of RPG Maker 2003. It's stupidly simple, and works very well for world maps. The only real problem is that it doesn't support any sort of print function, so you have to printscreen and photoshop the different images together. This shouldn't be too hard, but if you don't have a freeware Photoshop variant, check out GIMP and Paint.NET Google either/both of those and you should have no trouble. For an example of what RPG Maker 2003 looks like, check out this thread: http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1201483 \ ;) Apparently RPGM03 is not free, and I somehow acquired an illegal copy. Not sure how I stumbled upon it, but now that I know I don't plan on advertising it as freeware. I'm editing this post since someone bumped the thread. :/
#3 Jurgen_Hubert Jun 12, 2009 5:01:01	This shouldn't be too hard, but if you don't have a freeware Photoshop variant, check out GIMP and Paint.NET Google either/both of those and you should have no trouble. I second GIMP. Inkscape is also very useful, and also free. I made a bunch of cartography tutorials for them.
#4 turtlshellz Jun 12, 2009 5:09:48	You could also try out Autorealm - it is a free map maker that supports both dungeon, city and world maps. Not the best program but it is the best that I have found that is free at least. Just google it, I am at work right now and dont have access to the site, sorry.
#5 xhazerdusx Jun 12, 2009 10:34:14	Thanks for the suggestions so far. I remember reading some time ago about a program that did maps with hexes. Select a map dimension, drop water into water hexes, etc etc. Anyone familiar with such a program? I figure I can use that then clean it up using those nice sounding tutorials someone just posted here.
#6 turtlshellz Jun 13, 2009 5:20:17	If I remember right - it has been awhile since I used my copy of it - Auto-Realm has that sort of a function. But then again so does Campaign Cartographer :P
#7 gamerprinter Jun 27, 2009 13:59:13	Here's an extended list of Map Making Software from a list on the Cartographers' Guild - there are very many choices at your disposal, some free, some not. List of Map Software GP PS: I think there's a program called Hexagrapher that does what you're asking, but most apps can do that to, though working on a hex only paradigm, is pretty clunky for effective mapping. I am a pro fantasy cartographer, so I know.
#8 xhazerdusx Jun 28, 2009 12:27:11	Oh, are you, Gamerprinter? Awesome! What programs do you use? Or do you not use one specific program?
#9 chapien Jun 28, 2009 12:58:01	Well, there IS Campaign Cartographer 3 (this is what I use), made by ProFantasy, but is unfortunately not free. But you can still check it out at profantasy.com
#10 gamerprinter Jun 28, 2009 22:47:30	Oh, are you, Gamerprinter? Awesome! What programs do you use? Or do you not use one specific program? Yes, I am! ;) I use Xara Xtreme Pro - a vector based drawing program, but I'm pretty sure, I'm the only one who uses it for mapping! Its very much like Illustrator, Serif Drawplus, CorelDraw and many other applications, but it ain't free, although the Lite version only costs about $49 and is perfectly usable to create maps with, there are many cheaper alternatives. I use Xara because I run my own graphic design studio, and while I also use Photoshop, for vector work I far prefer Xara - its quick to learn, easy to use and extremely fast. While I use Xara for most of my mapping, I even use it to composite the final design even if I'm using GIMP, or doing hand-drawn stuff that's scanned in. I also use 3D apps, exotic apps like PD-Particles and a couple others. There are many great apps out there, you just need to find what fits your budget and your design style. I have some tutorials using Xara for maps at the Cartographers' Guild, if you're really interested. GP PS: Hazerdus, do you know me? or of me? From where?