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

Large Format Maps

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
snarfmaster
May 26, 2009 14:01:17 Does anyone know of any programs that will let you create a custom 1" grid map and print it on a large format printer. I have access to a plotter printer at work and I'd love to be able to print out full size pre-printed maps for my adventures.
#2
DragonsWrath
May 26, 2009 19:39:44 I'm slightly confused.

Do you just want a blank grid? If so, that's a piece of cake.

1) Open your favorite Word editor. I'm going to assume you have MS Word.
2) Insert a table with X columns and Y rows, where
X = (the width of your paper in inches) - 1
Y = (the height of your paper in inches) -1
3) Select the entire table. In my version, a small cross appears at the top right when you hover there.
4) Somehow find the Table Properites option.
5) Set the height and width for all cells to be 1"
6) Adjust the size of your paper, and set margins to .5 inches on all sides.
7) Print

If you want a map with actual stuff on it, here's a shortcut.
1) Open Excel
2) Ctrl+A, or hilight the number of rows/columns you need.
3) Right-click near the left side. Set row height for 57
4) Right-click near the top. Set column width for 14
5) Ctrl+C
6) Open Paint. Ctrl+V
7) Use a photoshop variant to delete all the white spaces.
8) Paint over/under the lines. Yay!
#3
snarfmaster
May 27, 2009 9:50:13 I'm looking for a tool, that uses tiles and terrain for dungeon style maps that will output a large map similar to the one you'd get in the premade adventures.

Otherwise I understand I can just make a huge paint file and import everything myself.
#4
gamerprinter
May 27, 2009 17:53:15 I'm a pro fantasy cartographer, and I use Xara Xtreme as my preferred graphics app. Although I use it for all my mapping, its not a mapping tool, per se, rather a graphics tool like Corel Draw or Illustrator. I use lots of photo and image textures, I also scan in hand-drawn work that is shaded and labeled in Xara.

Since I also run Gamer Printshop, I print large format maps all day long, including maps of my design.

I also use 3D apps, GIMP and other tools to make the foilage, seamless textures and other assets to mapping.

But most of the dedicated mapping apps can do it as well, though many just export a usable file you will need to print from Photoshop or RIP software.

At the Cartographers' Guild there is a list of available mapping and graphics apps for mapping (including Xara), as well as tutorials for all the apps, and more. To download stuff you'll need to join the site though - best, and best behaved forum on the net.

GP

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 snarfmaster May 26, 2009 14:01:17	Does anyone know of any programs that will let you create a custom 1" grid map and print it on a large format printer. I have access to a plotter printer at work and I'd love to be able to print out full size pre-printed maps for my adventures.
#2 DragonsWrath May 26, 2009 19:39:44	I'm slightly confused. Do you just want a blank grid? If so, that's a piece of cake. 1) Open your favorite Word editor. I'm going to assume you have MS Word. 2) Insert a table with X columns and Y rows, where X = (the width of your paper in inches) - 1 Y = (the height of your paper in inches) -1 3) Select the entire table. In my version, a small cross appears at the top right when you hover there. 4) Somehow find the Table Properites option. 5) Set the height and width for all cells to be 1" 6) Adjust the size of your paper, and set margins to .5 inches on all sides. 7) Print If you want a map with actual stuff on it, here's a shortcut. 1) Open Excel 2) Ctrl+A, or hilight the number of rows/columns you need. 3) Right-click near the left side. Set row height for 57 4) Right-click near the top. Set column width for 14 5) Ctrl+C 6) Open Paint. Ctrl+V 7) Use a photoshop variant to delete all the white spaces. 8) Paint over/under the lines. Yay!
#3 snarfmaster May 27, 2009 9:50:13	I'm looking for a tool, that uses tiles and terrain for dungeon style maps that will output a large map similar to the one you'd get in the premade adventures. Otherwise I understand I can just make a huge paint file and import everything myself.
#4 gamerprinter May 27, 2009 17:53:15	I'm a pro fantasy cartographer, and I use Xara Xtreme as my preferred graphics app. Although I use it for all my mapping, its not a mapping tool, per se, rather a graphics tool like Corel Draw or Illustrator. I use lots of photo and image textures, I also scan in hand-drawn work that is shaded and labeled in Xara. Since I also run Gamer Printshop, I print large format maps all day long, including maps of my design. I also use 3D apps, GIMP and other tools to make the foilage, seamless textures and other assets to mapping. But most of the dedicated mapping apps can do it as well, though many just export a usable file you will need to print from Photoshop or RIP software. At the Cartographers' Guild there is a list of available mapping and graphics apps for mapping (including Xara), as well as tutorials for all the apps, and more. To download stuff you'll need to join the site though - best, and best behaved forum on the net. GP