Map Programs - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Map Programs

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Guiltl3ss
Sep 25, 2008 19:37:45 What are some good map creation programs? Im tired of paint, haha. Thanks!
#2
rhen
Sep 25, 2008 19:51:07 I use GIMP.

It has about the same learning curve as Photoshop but can do anything that PS can and, best of all, it's completely free.
#3
Guiltl3ss
Sep 25, 2008 19:57:27 Free is good. Thanks!
#4
Cailte
Sep 25, 2008 20:06:28 What about dedicated cartography programs?

Is there one out there that can pull in a jpg and render it into its map format?

I have a campaign setting (or 2) that I hand drew in the early 90's that I'd love to get a good digital representation for. Especially for breaking it up into smaller more detailed chunks. (Because globe sized map is not great for detail.)
#5
Guiltl3ss
Sep 25, 2008 20:22:11 I know of Campaign Cartographer...thats about it, haha.
#6
battleaxefield
Sep 25, 2008 20:32:01 You might try tiled. It's free and really helps with the one inch square block style of terrain, and you can touch it up with the gimp. To be honest with you though, I usually can find an already-drawn map here that will fit my needs just fine and looks a lot better than anything I could create.
#7
indyjoe
Sep 25, 2008 21:19:58 I'll second (or third) GIMP. Further, I took the time to create some hex brushes that match the late 80s/early 90s TSR hex maps. Here's the link to the brushes and instructions for using them to relatively quickly create maps with GIMP: http://inkwellideas.com/?page_id=9
#8
tancread
Sep 26, 2008 4:59:49 Regardless of the software you choose the Cartographers Guild is filled with good ideas and tutorials for making great maps. The tutorials there cover a lot of ground and everyone is willing to lend a hand to beginners, it is an awesome place.
#9
die
Sep 26, 2008 13:32:50 I like playing around with several different programs

AutoREALM is a free one
I like Fractal Terrains
and Fractal Mapper
Hexmapper and its support group
Wilbur

mainly because I can't draw at all
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IMAGE(http://www.geocities.com/i_ate_breakfast/lolmap.JPG)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Guiltl3ss Sep 25, 2008 19:37:45	What are some good map creation programs? Im tired of paint, haha. Thanks!
#2 rhen Sep 25, 2008 19:51:07	I use GIMP. It has about the same learning curve as Photoshop but can do anything that PS can and, best of all, it's completely free.
#3 Guiltl3ss Sep 25, 2008 19:57:27	Free is good. Thanks!
#4 Cailte Sep 25, 2008 20:06:28	What about dedicated cartography programs? Is there one out there that can pull in a jpg and render it into its map format? I have a campaign setting (or 2) that I hand drew in the early 90's that I'd love to get a good digital representation for. Especially for breaking it up into smaller more detailed chunks. (Because globe sized map is not great for detail.)
#5 Guiltl3ss Sep 25, 2008 20:22:11	I know of Campaign Cartographer...thats about it, haha.
#6 battleaxefield Sep 25, 2008 20:32:01	You might try tiled. It's free and really helps with the one inch square block style of terrain, and you can touch it up with the gimp. To be honest with you though, I usually can find an already-drawn map here that will fit my needs just fine and looks a lot better than anything I could create.
#7 indyjoe Sep 25, 2008 21:19:58	I'll second (or third) GIMP. Further, I took the time to create some hex brushes that match the late 80s/early 90s TSR hex maps. Here's the link to the brushes and instructions for using them to relatively quickly create maps with GIMP: http://inkwellideas.com/?page_id=9
#8 tancread Sep 26, 2008 4:59:49	Regardless of the software you choose the Cartographers Guild is filled with good ideas and tutorials for making great maps. The tutorials there cover a lot of ground and everyone is willing to lend a hand to beginners, it is an awesome place.
#9 die Sep 26, 2008 13:32:50	I like playing around with several different programs AutoREALM is a free one I like Fractal Terrains and Fractal Mapper Hexmapper and its support group Wilbur mainly because I can't draw at all Show