Mapping tools and methods - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Mapping tools and methods

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
geradex_acondari
Jun 30, 2008 12:29:40 Maybe I am posting in the wrong place, but this is campaign and adventure related. I am currently working on a campaign, and I am looking for a good consistent way to do both overland maps, and dungeon maps. I could use a computer program, if I knew of a decent one, or pen and paper, if I could devise a decent method for it.
The purpose of this post, is to ask people here what have they found that works, or if they have any recommendations?

If I have posted this in the wrong place I apologize.
#2
theninjad
Jun 30, 2008 18:32:08 For any good map you will need time and skill, in large doses. You can replace the skill with even larger amounts of time, though.

If you have the money, Dundjinni and Campaign Cartographer 3 are both capable of doing amazing things. AutoREALM can be pretty good, too. You need to spend a lot of time mastering these and possibly finding, downloading, and using things that are not in the original program.

The best maps I have ever seen are drawn by hand on graph paper and then edited in Photoshop or a like program. You can make great maps skipping either of those steps, too.
#3
scourn99
Jun 30, 2008 18:53:02 I got this a bit ago after i searched the net for what other people said is good. Hexmapper is the very simple and basic way I see doing it.

http://home.paonline.com/zaikoski/ak/TOOLS.HTM

Has like 12 or so diffrent tiles you can use. I know someone made alot more ones that look much more realistic. Forget wherre i got it from. Googled Hexmapper extra tiles or something.
#4
cyberdrake
Jul 06, 2008 15:57:09 I usually draw my maps first on a sheet of paper to get a general idea of what my map will look like showing the major features and points of interest. once it's done, I jump into Photoshop and create the digital map, I also use Eyecandy filters package to create some of the special effects.

You can view my creations at Dream Weaved Worlds.
#5
cyberdrake
Jul 06, 2008 16:12:57 The first map I've hand drawn was after reading The Lord of the Rings which contained a few hand drawn maps in it which I used as an inspiration. After a few maps, I started to develop my own style. Many years later, I started using Paint and shortly after, Photoshop.

Something you might consider if the maps are for your personal use is to use a game editor (Warcraft 3 for example). An editor like that permits you to create various types of terrain, buildings and NPCs very easily and without any drawing skills. The drawback might be for printing.
#6
doomsought
Jul 06, 2008 21:11:26 Go to staples, CVS or where ever you can find school supplies and get some graphing paper. get out your idea in faint pencil and keep your eraser ready.
The grid is already on there so you only need to trace the lines or go corner to corner on hallways.
For circles just use a compass (also in school supplies)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 geradex_acondari Jun 30, 2008 12:29:40	Maybe I am posting in the wrong place, but this is campaign and adventure related. I am currently working on a campaign, and I am looking for a good consistent way to do both overland maps, and dungeon maps. I could use a computer program, if I knew of a decent one, or pen and paper, if I could devise a decent method for it. The purpose of this post, is to ask people here what have they found that works, or if they have any recommendations? If I have posted this in the wrong place I apologize.
#2 theninjad Jun 30, 2008 18:32:08	For any good map you will need time and skill, in large doses. You can replace the skill with even larger amounts of time, though. If you have the money, Dundjinni and Campaign Cartographer 3 are both capable of doing amazing things. AutoREALM can be pretty good, too. You need to spend a lot of time mastering these and possibly finding, downloading, and using things that are not in the original program. The best maps I have ever seen are drawn by hand on graph paper and then edited in Photoshop or a like program. You can make great maps skipping either of those steps, too.
#3 scourn99 Jun 30, 2008 18:53:02	I got this a bit ago after i searched the net for what other people said is good. Hexmapper is the very simple and basic way I see doing it. http://home.paonline.com/zaikoski/ak/TOOLS.HTM Has like 12 or so diffrent tiles you can use. I know someone made alot more ones that look much more realistic. Forget wherre i got it from. Googled Hexmapper extra tiles or something.
#4 cyberdrake Jul 06, 2008 15:57:09	I usually draw my maps first on a sheet of paper to get a general idea of what my map will look like showing the major features and points of interest. once it's done, I jump into Photoshop and create the digital map, I also use Eyecandy filters package to create some of the special effects. You can view my creations at Dream Weaved Worlds.
#5 cyberdrake Jul 06, 2008 16:12:57	The first map I've hand drawn was after reading The Lord of the Rings which contained a few hand drawn maps in it which I used as an inspiration. After a few maps, I started to develop my own style. Many years later, I started using Paint and shortly after, Photoshop. Something you might consider if the maps are for your personal use is to use a game editor (Warcraft 3 for example). An editor like that permits you to create various types of terrain, buildings and NPCs very easily and without any drawing skills. The drawback might be for printing.
#6 doomsought Jul 06, 2008 21:11:26	Go to staples, CVS or where ever you can find school supplies and get some graphing paper. get out your idea in faint pencil and keep your eraser ready. The grid is already on there so you only need to trace the lines or go corner to corner on hallways. For circles just use a compass (also in school supplies)