On the Fly Mapping Software - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

On the Fly Mapping Software

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
soccastar001
Feb 24, 2011 1:03:31 I'm looking for mapping software that I can use DURING play to map out dungeons quickly.

Does anybody have any suggestions for software that I can use that is quick and easy to use so I can draw maps during play without too much headache and will allow me to save and reopen files so I can expand upon previously drawn maps as a replacement to doing them by hand on graph paper.

I've never used the big-name programs like CC3 or Dundjinni but they seem more suited to making pretty maps for printing out and using for a campaign than easy on-the-fly mapping.
#2
slobo777a
Feb 24, 2011 2:39:44 I'd recommend going tile-based. Buy some basic tile sets (if you have time it is cheaper to find some pre-made .pdfs, print and cut them out). I mostly use Skeleton Keys tiles, but there's loads of options.

I usually plan out the tiles on my floor at home before play. Then I photograph the map from above, and I can print the photo out as an overview map (including scribbled notes for trap locations etc).

You *could* do the same on the fly, just dropping tiles on the table when you need to expand the map. Snap it with your phone or camera when you need to clear the space. Then you have a record of what you made. I don't do that for dungeons, but I do tend to ad-lib wilderness tiles this way.

Edit: There are probably tile-composing software options. Your issue then is usually how to get the new piece of dungeon you have designed in front of the players without delaying play. I expect a few VTs might do this quickly.
#3
soccastar001
Feb 24, 2011 7:00:41 I'm looking for options as a player for mapping what the DM is telling us (which is why I posted to the Player forum :P). What your suggesting doesn't sound very quick or easy for my purposes. Any other suggestions?
#4
slobo777a
Feb 24, 2011 11:37:40 Sorry, thought you were a DM, I should of paid attention to the forum heading.

It's actually an unusual practice for players to map for their characters nowadays. I remember it fondly from 1e :-) It's very unlikelyfor you to find software for players to note maps, because many players view book-keeping work that their characters would do in reality a bit of a chore, and most DMs tend to agree and hand-wave return journeys and the like. Of course if it's a major piece of plot that you are exploring/mapping an area or you simply enjoy the immersion, that's great!

Pen and paper IMO would still be quickest. You could probably set up an iPad or other touch-screen device with graphics software if you want to benefit from the digital age. Choices in graphics software like "snap to grid" will help you in regular dungeon environments. Having a library of brush shapes for different vegetation, mountains etc will help you make outdoor maps which are quick to read (and even pretty to look at if you spend some time sourcing the material)

"Unlikely" doesn't mean "impossible". Perhaps someone else knows something that will help more . . .
#5
mock26
Feb 24, 2011 19:20:47 Just about any program with a Grid and Snap feature would work, and while not necessary the ability to use Layers would help greatly. I have used Photoshop for this and I created a grid where each square represented 10', set the grid to 50% transparent, and then created a blank layer below it. This blank layer was where I mapped. For corridors and regularly shaped rooms I would use the rectangle marquis (select) tool to draw out the shape and then filled the shape. You can do this with or without the Snap feature. Having it on is great but you often have to turn it off for irregularly shaped rooms. And for those I simply use the Pencil tool to draw it out.

Another good program for doing this is Campaign Cartographer. While it is primarily a tool for the DM for designing detailed maps it actually works very well for mapping on the fly. It just requires a little bit of set up time beforehand. The nice thing about it is that it has a great Grid tool that allows you to customize it various sizes and different drawing tools (such as rectangle, circle, polygon, curved polygon, etc.) that can be quickly set to draw solid or "hollow."

All in all having the ability to draw on different layers is the most important feature in making this the easiest way to do it.

Now, if you do not have a good graphics program you can actually do this with Microsoft Paint. It is not as effective because it does not have layers, but once you create your grid you can simply use the line tool to draw the areas you visit and if need be use the Bucket tool to fill in areas in the grid.
#6
magniloquent
Feb 26, 2011 13:54:32 It is all the rage in PBP games and takes seconds to arrange. Try this and see if you don't like it.
#7
SteelMirror
Mar 03, 2011 21:57:20 It costs money, but not much as long as you don't ask for super high resolution. And the maps are pretty!

www.rpgobjects.com/tiamat/

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 soccastar001 Feb 24, 2011 1:03:31	I'm looking for mapping software that I can use DURING play to map out dungeons quickly. Does anybody have any suggestions for software that I can use that is quick and easy to use so I can draw maps during play without too much headache and will allow me to save and reopen files so I can expand upon previously drawn maps as a replacement to doing them by hand on graph paper. I've never used the big-name programs like CC3 or Dundjinni but they seem more suited to making pretty maps for printing out and using for a campaign than easy on-the-fly mapping.
#2 slobo777a Feb 24, 2011 2:39:44	I'd recommend going tile-based. Buy some basic tile sets (if you have time it is cheaper to find some pre-made .pdfs, print and cut them out). I mostly use Skeleton Keys tiles, but there's loads of options. I usually plan out the tiles on my floor at home before play. Then I photograph the map from above, and I can print the photo out as an overview map (including scribbled notes for trap locations etc). You could do the same on the fly, just dropping tiles on the table when you need to expand the map. Snap it with your phone or camera when you need to clear the space. Then you have a record of what you made. I don't do that for dungeons, but I do tend to ad-lib wilderness tiles this way. Edit: There are probably tile-composing software options. Your issue then is usually how to get the new piece of dungeon you have designed in front of the players without delaying play. I expect a few VTs might do this quickly.
#3 soccastar001 Feb 24, 2011 7:00:41	I'm looking for options as a player for mapping what the DM is telling us (which is why I posted to the Player forum :P). What your suggesting doesn't sound very quick or easy for my purposes. Any other suggestions?
#4 slobo777a Feb 24, 2011 11:37:40	Sorry, thought you were a DM, I should of paid attention to the forum heading. It's actually an unusual practice for players to map for their characters nowadays. I remember it fondly from 1e :-) It's very unlikelyfor you to find software for players to note maps, because many players view book-keeping work that their characters would do in reality a bit of a chore, and most DMs tend to agree and hand-wave return journeys and the like. Of course if it's a major piece of plot that you are exploring/mapping an area or you simply enjoy the immersion, that's great! Pen and paper IMO would still be quickest. You could probably set up an iPad or other touch-screen device with graphics software if you want to benefit from the digital age. Choices in graphics software like "snap to grid" will help you in regular dungeon environments. Having a library of brush shapes for different vegetation, mountains etc will help you make outdoor maps which are quick to read (and even pretty to look at if you spend some time sourcing the material) "Unlikely" doesn't mean "impossible". Perhaps someone else knows something that will help more . . .
#5 mock26 Feb 24, 2011 19:20:47	Just about any program with a Grid and Snap feature would work, and while not necessary the ability to use Layers would help greatly. I have used Photoshop for this and I created a grid where each square represented 10', set the grid to 50% transparent, and then created a blank layer below it. This blank layer was where I mapped. For corridors and regularly shaped rooms I would use the rectangle marquis (select) tool to draw out the shape and then filled the shape. You can do this with or without the Snap feature. Having it on is great but you often have to turn it off for irregularly shaped rooms. And for those I simply use the Pencil tool to draw it out. Another good program for doing this is Campaign Cartographer. While it is primarily a tool for the DM for designing detailed maps it actually works very well for mapping on the fly. It just requires a little bit of set up time beforehand. The nice thing about it is that it has a great Grid tool that allows you to customize it various sizes and different drawing tools (such as rectangle, circle, polygon, curved polygon, etc.) that can be quickly set to draw solid or "hollow." All in all having the ability to draw on different layers is the most important feature in making this the easiest way to do it. Now, if you do not have a good graphics program you can actually do this with Microsoft Paint. It is not as effective because it does not have layers, but once you create your grid you can simply use the line tool to draw the areas you visit and if need be use the Bucket tool to fill in areas in the grid.
#6 magniloquent Feb 26, 2011 13:54:32	It is all the rage in PBP games and takes seconds to arrange. Try this and see if you don't like it.
#7 SteelMirror Mar 03, 2011 21:57:20	It costs money, but not much as long as you don't ask for super high resolution. And the maps are pretty! www.rpgobjects.com/tiamat/