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

Module Map Suggestion

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
kinevon
Apr 13, 2009 2:49:06 Just as an idea, mainly from a couple of places:

How about printable maps at 1 square = 1 inch size, with the monster positioning notes removed.

Sources:
Lack of access to some of the older Dungeon Tile sets used in some modules, especially in the quantities needed for some pieces.

Similar maps being available for the SWSE Dawn of Defiance campaign.
#2
Keithric
Apr 13, 2009 11:08:31 That would be great, especially since these are pdfs and it could just be an optional bit at the end... though many maps would look pretty awful as far as page arrangement goes (okay, so it's 26 squares long and 4 or so wide from y squares as it sorta winds 1 through 12... so that's 8 pages for 1.5 pages worth of tiles - but that's an extreme sewer-ish example)

As a suggestion - try clicking on the map for a module and trying to copy/save the image. I did that the other day for a map in one of the LFR mods and it actually stripped off the DM notes. I'm guessing multiple image layers and I picked the right one ;)

I haven't experimented with other modules to see if it follows, but if it doesn't... boy it would be nice if it worked every time
#3
bgibbons
Apr 13, 2009 11:59:05
How about printable maps at 1 square = 1 inch size, with the monster positioning notes removed.

That's kind of missing the point that the entire reason for forcing LFR authors to do their maps with Dungeon Tiles is to encourage DMs to buy Dungeon Tiles.

It isn't because WOTC thinks Dungeon Tiles are actually applicable to every situation or because LFR authors all just really like the tiles. Look at Dungeon Magazine adventures, for example; Menace of the Icy Spire has maps that accurately show the location and can be copied and blown up if you really like (though you'd have to edit things to remove DM notes). In contrast, LFR gets "Use these tiles, but pretend that the stone pillar is a tree and the pool of water is actually only 10' wide instead of 15'. Sorry, we're not allowed to actually show the actual terrain."

This isn't the LFR campaign staff's fault; they're simply making the best of a bad situation. Unfortunately, therefore, any suggestion to LFR staff on how to make things better is futile.

I would far rather have hand-drawn malformed maps in modules than pictures of out-of-print dungeon tiles that turn into gray blobs when printed in black-and-white and don't even match the described terrain. I'm sure I'm not the only one, but unfortunately my vote (or even that of LFR campaign staff) isn't the one that counts.

-- Brian Gibbons.
#4
Keithric
Apr 13, 2009 20:20:05 I'll actually say that LFR using dungeon tiles is one of the reasons why I'm happy to run an online LFR weekly game - it's a _breeze_ to make the maps that way.
#5
gomeztoo
Apr 14, 2009 14:55:32
I haven't experimented with other modules to see if it follows, but if it doesn't... boy it would be nice if it worked every time

Won't work as sweetly with Dalelands adventures (not the layering, anyway), because those maps are all merged layers (png files). So you would need a bit of editing to get rid of those.

Gomez,
who can get quite creative with dungeon tiles... but yes, would prefer not to be dependent on them
#6
Keithric
Apr 14, 2009 16:52:07 Ah well - was worth asking.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 kinevon Apr 13, 2009 2:49:06	Just as an idea, mainly from a couple of places: How about printable maps at 1 square = 1 inch size, with the monster positioning notes removed. Sources: Lack of access to some of the older Dungeon Tile sets used in some modules, especially in the quantities needed for some pieces. Similar maps being available for the SWSE Dawn of Defiance campaign.
#2 Keithric Apr 13, 2009 11:08:31	That would be great, especially since these are pdfs and it could just be an optional bit at the end... though many maps would look pretty awful as far as page arrangement goes (okay, so it's 26 squares long and 4 or so wide from y squares as it sorta winds 1 through 12... so that's 8 pages for 1.5 pages worth of tiles - but that's an extreme sewer-ish example) As a suggestion - try clicking on the map for a module and trying to copy/save the image. I did that the other day for a map in one of the LFR mods and it actually stripped off the DM notes. I'm guessing multiple image layers and I picked the right one ;) I haven't experimented with other modules to see if it follows, but if it doesn't... boy it would be nice if it worked every time
#3 bgibbons Apr 13, 2009 11:59:05	How about printable maps at 1 square = 1 inch size, with the monster positioning notes removed. That's kind of missing the point that the entire reason for forcing LFR authors to do their maps with Dungeon Tiles is to encourage DMs to buy Dungeon Tiles. It isn't because WOTC thinks Dungeon Tiles are actually applicable to every situation or because LFR authors all just really like the tiles. Look at Dungeon Magazine adventures, for example; Menace of the Icy Spire has maps that accurately show the location and can be copied and blown up if you really like (though you'd have to edit things to remove DM notes). In contrast, LFR gets "Use these tiles, but pretend that the stone pillar is a tree and the pool of water is actually only 10' wide instead of 15'. Sorry, we're not allowed to actually show the actual terrain." This isn't the LFR campaign staff's fault; they're simply making the best of a bad situation. Unfortunately, therefore, any suggestion to LFR staff on how to make things better is futile. I would far rather have hand-drawn malformed maps in modules than pictures of out-of-print dungeon tiles that turn into gray blobs when printed in black-and-white and don't even match the described terrain. I'm sure I'm not the only one, but unfortunately my vote (or even that of LFR campaign staff) isn't the one that counts. -- Brian Gibbons.
#4 Keithric Apr 13, 2009 20:20:05	I'll actually say that LFR using dungeon tiles is one of the reasons why I'm happy to run an online LFR weekly game - it's a _breeze_ to make the maps that way.
#5 gomeztoo Apr 14, 2009 14:55:32	I haven't experimented with other modules to see if it follows, but if it doesn't... boy it would be nice if it worked every time Won't work as sweetly with Dalelands adventures (not the layering, anyway), because those maps are all merged layers (png files). So you would need a bit of editing to get rid of those. Gomez, who can get quite creative with dungeon tiles... but yes, would prefer not to be dependent on them
#6 Keithric Apr 14, 2009 16:52:07	Ah well - was worth asking.