PDA

View Full Version : What can I use for making PbP battle grids?



Gamerlord
2010-06-07, 10:50 AM
So, I like doing PbP, but I have trouble doing D&D ones because they require battlegrids, which I cannot figure out how to make for PbP use?

Any programs that could help?

Ryuuk
2010-06-07, 10:52 AM
Probably not the best answer, but using photoshop's layers to move all the creatures on a round by round basis might makes things easier.

Gamerlord
2010-06-07, 10:52 AM
Probably not the best answer, but using photoshop's layers to move all the creatures on a round by round basis might makes things easier.

I am unsure where my copy of photoshop is.

Reynard
2010-06-07, 10:54 AM
Inkscape is a free vector-based graphics program. I've used it's commercial inspiration, Ai, and it works fine for maps.

Gamerlord
2010-06-07, 03:09 PM
Inkscape is a free vector-based graphics program. I've used it's commercial inspiration, Ai, and it works fine for maps.

I would prefer something free.

AugustusGloop
2010-06-07, 03:13 PM
I would prefer something free.

imho, http://www.rptools.net/ maptools is the be all and end all of free map tools.

It has a learning curve, but the fact that it's so versatile, and has realtime online capabilities means it can't be beaten.

DonEsteban
2010-06-07, 03:46 PM
Yeah, maptool is great. Check the tutorials and make sure to add some art packs to your library. (http://www.rptools.net/index.php?page=tutorials) Much more convenient (though less powerful, ultimately) than standard drawing tools like GIMP (http://www.gimp.org/) or InkScape.

mcl01
2010-06-07, 04:07 PM
Ye olde map maker (http://www.yeoldemapmaker.com/) is what I use currently. It's very simplistic, but if you want to make something quickly, albeit only a simple outline, it's very good. I haven't gotten the save features to work though. I simply screenshot the map, save it into paint, and use paint (or your preferred image-editing software) to add stuff like text and other things. It works decently well for me.

Reynard
2010-06-07, 04:12 PM
I would prefer something free.
Heh, Heh. Heh.

Inkscape is a free vector-based graphics program. I've used it's commercial inspiration, Ai, and it works fine for maps.

Gamerlord
2010-06-07, 05:06 PM
Heh, Heh. Heh.

Ah, I though you meant Ai, I am having trouble figuring out inkscape.

Kaulesh
2010-06-07, 06:03 PM
If you're playing on GitP and you don't care for looks, you could make a table.
Example (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8451203&postcount=74)

If you've got some sort of spreadsheet program (such as OpenOffice.org Calc, since you specified free), you could use it.
Example (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8492369&postcount=128)

Lysander
2010-06-07, 08:17 PM
What about a shared google docs spreadsheet, which each cell counting as a five foot square?

Pink
2010-06-07, 08:37 PM
If you've got some sort of spreadsheet program (such as OpenOffice.org Calc, since you specified free), you could use it.
Example (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8492369&postcount=128)

+1

I've always used this in my games.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/pink_lugia/Talon/3-14.jpg