I have been looking for a good map program and i have ran across several decent ones. Alot of people skip the mapping programs and use real world maps.
Some map programs I have tried are:
http://www.profantasy.com/ Campaign Cartographer...this thing has tons of features that it just overwhelms you...
http://www.dunjinni.com/ Dundjinni....lots of stuff uses java, and does nice focus area maps for things like heroclix and such (will even print grids)
http://www.nbos.com/products/mapper/mapper.htm Fractal Mapper very good at larger maps decent at city maps and town maps and such...
Ive treid them but couldnt get a good solid fell of them, lots of stuff and things tend to become overwhelming...
the main sucky thing is most of them are set for fantasy and charge for modern stuff....so when i mention modern maps, people suggest yahoo maps and such and those are ok, but hard to edit in what i want and such....
so anyone have any other mapping programs or www links?
See I've used Campaign Cartographer and it has a lot of stuff it can do. But its so complex and has so many options that its overwhelming. Its great if you knwo how to use it as tahts what most WotC maps are done with.
I'm actually looking for something that does cities really well. Having to traw out multiple levels of the city by hand does not appeal to me.
Some of the video games available, such as Age of Empires and Civilization, have good map-making programs as well. Although these are rather specific in their scale.
Quote from: KnightcrawlerSee I've used Campaign Cartographer and it has a lot of stuff it can do. But its so complex and has so many options that its overwhelming. Its great if you knwo how to use it as tahts what most WotC maps are done with.
I'm actually looking for something that does cities really well. Having to traw out multiple levels of the city by hand does not appeal to me.
I know what you mean, ive been trying to design stuff for my AFMBE game and keep getting annoyed at the mapping programs and not having the skill to do it by had for what i need...
I've had some great successes with Map Maker Plus (http://www.fontcraft.com/mapmaker/)
It's just a package of fonts and clipart. But you use them with any of your favorite image editing programs... PaintShop, PhotoShop, even MSPaint. It's all just cut, paste and edit.
When I get home, I'll upload one of the latest maps I've made with it, so you can see what it looks like.
Just like I promised. Two maps I made using Map Maker plus...
The first is a map I made for a campaign that revolved around 3rd edition coversions of old OD&D and 1st edition modules I had lying around.
(http://varkana.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/Wild-Coast.gif)
The next is a map I made for my wife's home-brewed D&D setting.
(http://varkana.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/Varkana.gif)
Each of them took about one afternoon of work to create, and another afternoon of work to make pretty.
Quote from: CyclotronJust like I promised. Two maps I made using Map Maker plus...
Wow. Very nice work on the maps. Those look great!
Quote from: CyclotronJust like I promised. Two maps I made using Map Maker plus...
Those are nicer than many published maps. Very cool!
Those are some nice looking maps there.
Quote from: CyclotronIt's just a package of fonts and clipart. But you use them with any of your favorite image editing programs... PaintShop, PhotoShop, even MSPaint. It's all just cut, paste and edit.
I do something similar , but import those images as "stamps" in the Gimp. Should be doable in PS or PSP as well.
Much easier.
The font I just import as well.
I'll dig up some scribbles I made that way.
Here's one , I could find quickly:
Quote from: MegamieuwselI do something similar , but import those images as "stamps" in the Gimp. Should be doable in PS or PSP as well.
Much easier.
The font I just import as well.
Hrm... I'll have to look into that. Stamping the mountains and forests and such would probably cut my map making time in half.
Cyclotron, those maps are outstanding!
Awesome work!
Quote from: CyclotronHrm... I'll have to look into that. Stamping the mountains and forests and such would probably cut my map making time in half.
Forrests and mountains and the like , I imported as brushes , btw.
Set the rate reasonably low and : PRONTO!
(only "con" is that you HAVE to start at the top and work your way down , else it becomes a mess....)
Quote from: MegamieuwselForrests and mountains and the like , I imported as brushes , btw.
Set the rate reasonably low and : PRONTO!
(only "con" is that you HAVE to start at the top and work your way down , else it becomes a mess....)
It'll be something for me to fiddle with one of these weekends...
I've got to finish a set of hyperspace charts of the Tapani Sector for my Star Wars game first, though. Since I only really need distances and which systems connect to which, I'm thinking I might model them after modern subway system maps.
very good indeed!!
I still haven't seriously gotten into things with maps in a while, but my tool of choice is Photoshop -- but mostly because I know the program pretty well.
I've scanned in maps from the old World Builder's Guidebook and I'm working on creating a map using layers. I loved how the guidebook included the idea of fault lines and weather patterns, but those were really impossible to do by hand. With layers, they're easy as pie.
What I need is some idea of how to draw realistic island chains. My world has one continent, with a large chain of islands on the opposite side of the world. The continent was pretty easy to knock out, but I'm just not satisfied with the island chain I drew. It looks like some dude drew it out in an hour with little idea of what he was doing. :)
Quote from: CyberzombieWorld Builder's Guidebook
was that the 2E book? awesome reference work by the way, if so.
Quote from: BOZwas that the 2E book? awesome reference work by the way, if so.
Yep. About 50% awesomeness and 50% pretty damn good. Far better than most books manage. It's the only 2e book I have out on my main gaming book shelf. :)
it helps that it really has little or nothing to do with rules mechanics, so it's (IIRC) 90%+ useful to any edition - or fantasy game, for that matter.
there wouldnt be a modern era or sci fi version would there?
not that i know of...
Quote from: Harry JoyVery nice examples you've given. I am going to consider investing in that. And believe me, $50 bucks is an investment for me. After your first post, I gave the idea a bye, but I am considering it now.
Believe me, I can relate.
I picked up the $80 Plus version that comes with the "design elements" (all the mountains, trees, compass roses and sea monsters to make it pretty) and hundreds of original historical maps. It was a very difficult decision, as that's a pretty big investment for us too. I can honestly say that it was some of the best money I've ever spent on RPG material, and so far it's been worth every penny.
Map Maker Plus is very intriguing. I may have to get that one.
Quote from: Reefer Madnessthere wouldnt be a modern era or sci fi version would there?
Of MapMaker? I don't think so. If there was, I'd get it in a heartbeat.
What about post apocolyptic? I'm doing a campaign of that sorts right now and not having to constantly draw out my surroundings would be great.
Quote from: eCK0What about post apocolyptic? I'm doing a campaign of that sorts right now and not having to constantly draw out my surroundings would be great.
Just draw a desert. :p
Well, it's actually a little more complex than that. This world has a cloud city for the rich. In the end my may just have to end up doing it all from scratch.
A very simple alternative is HexMapper, just dropping down icons on hex paper. Comes out looking like Known World maps.
http://home.paonline.com/zaikoski/ak/TOOLS.HTM
I've played around a bit with AutoRealm. It has layers, fractal lines, and some other features. I never got very good at it as it does have a learning curve.
http://www.gryc.ws/autorealm.htm
If you're looking to make Tile based maps (dungeons, building interiors, starship deckplans, etc) then I would suggest the Free Dungeonforge (http://www.dungeonforge.com/)
I made this Restuarant...
(http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/7846/resturant8ez.th.jpg) (http://img8.imageshack.us/my.php?image=resturant8ez.jpg)
And this Starship...
(http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/875/scout10ne.th.jpg) (http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scout10ne.jpg)
I would have a dungeon but haven't played fantasy in awhile ;)
Funny... I'm a programmer and an uber-techy-geek type person, but I've done all my maps by hand for like EVER. I like the work your MapMakerPlus program put out, though, Cyclotron. What's the learning curve like? I mean sure, you did 'em in about an afternoon or so - but how long have you been working at maps to be able to put out one that looks that polished?
Quote from: EmryysIf you're looking to make Tile based maps (dungeons, building interiors, starship deckplans, etc) then I would suggest the Free Dungeonforge (http://www.dungeonforge.com/)
Thanks, that looks decent and usable.
Is that a scout from Traveller?
Quote from: NicephorusThanks, that looks decent and usable.
Is that a scout from Traveller?
Type S ;)
It's pretty easy and it can use all the user art from Dunjinni
I get mine here...
The GM's Parlor (http://www.gmsparlor.com/index.php)
Steel Rat's Image Gallery (http://www.infinite-realities.com/4images/index.php)