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SillyBee
2010-10-27, 04:04 PM
So, I'm totally old and totally outdated. I still make my maps by hand. Talking world maps here. Regardless, I'm seeking to update myself into the digital age, but would like something a bit more...robust than MSPaint. Does anyone know of any free software that isn't too difficult to learn that would meet these requirements?

(I searched the forums and couldn't find anything solid, and Google returns mixed results)

Thrawn4
2010-10-27, 05:49 PM
I can't help you directly, but have you looked at the Cartographers' Guild (http://forum.cartographersguild.com/)?

dsmiles
2010-10-27, 06:03 PM
Alternatively, I like Campaign Cartographer (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.profantasy.com%2F&rct=j&q=campaign%20cartographer&ei=eK_ITISoEYOclgfD_u3nAQ&usg=AFQjCNGnS-pGttcdbBGM4yEF-cDdWuBQlQ&sig2=9E70_zpUYvSCtKlsDccOHA&cad=rja).

Yahzi
2010-10-27, 06:44 PM
Does anyone know of any free software that isn't too difficult to learn that would meet these requirements?
For something simple, try Hexographer (http://inkwellideas.com/roleplaying_tools/hexographer/)(they also have a link to a cool city map generator).

SillyBee
2010-10-27, 06:53 PM
So from what I'm finding suggested so far, there's not really free options, is there?

Hmm. Disappointing. Thanks for the suggestions though, guys!

Skorj
2010-10-27, 07:06 PM
Maptool (http://www.rptools.net/index.php?page=tools)is free. It's frequently recommended on these forums (it's designed for online maps, but I don't think that's a bad thing). When I'm in a hurry I just use Excel (with square cells), which is far from free unless you already have a copy for some other reason.

dsmiles
2010-10-27, 07:07 PM
So from what I'm finding suggested so far, there's not really free options, is there?

Hmm. Disappointing. Thanks for the suggestions, though, guys!

You could track down Serpentine. I think that she found a pretty good free one a while back, but I can't remember what's it's called.

Zertryx
2010-10-27, 07:07 PM
Well if your up free drawing things / using images you can use GIMP http://www.gimp.org/downloads/ it's more advanced than MSpaint (kinda like a mini free Photoshop) and if your looking to make grid's I think you can do it with gimp easy.

Another things you can do is scan hand drawn maps and import them into that to add more stuff / the grid. Also you can use free dungeon generators like this http://www.myth-weavers.com/generate_dungeon.php save the picture and draw stuff around the gray area's in paint or gimp.

I'm not sure if this is what your looking for but hope it helps some.

Otherworld Odd
2010-10-27, 07:13 PM
Personally, I always use this for my maps: http://donjon.bin.sh/world/
Afterwards, I draw the map out on paper or such and place my locations wherever I see fit. I think it's a lot more customizable that way.


Not sure if that's what you want, but it's what I use.

SowelBlack
2010-10-27, 10:33 PM
So from what I'm finding suggested so far, there's not really free options, is there?

Hmm. Disappointing. Thanks for the suggestions though, guys!

Hexographer linked above has a free, web-based version that only lacks 3-4 features. (That are typically only needed by people who have been using it for a while.) I hope that helps.

Crow
2010-10-28, 01:39 AM
Hand drawn is the way to go. All of the digitally created maps I've made don't have quite the same feel as the ones I've created on pen and paper....like this one (terrible and ripped off location names aside)

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/8723/newfullmap.jpg

Serpentine
2010-10-28, 01:44 AM
You could track down Serpentine. I think that she found a pretty good free one a while back, but I can't remember what's it's called.Eywot I dun wot now?
...
Oh, you mean AutoREALM (http://autorealm.sourceforge.net/)? Sure. I usually find myself just using Adobe Illustrator nowadays, but it works fine.

edit: Still waiting for someone to design a massive cavern system, complete with underground lake/sea, for me :smallsigh:

Drakevarg
2010-10-28, 02:36 AM
Hand drawn is the way to go. All of the digitally created maps I've made don't have quite the same feel as the ones I've created on pen and paper....like this one (terrible and ripped off location names aside)

*snip*

I suddenly feel compelled to join one of your campaigns and check out absolutely everywhere on that map. :smallsigh:

This is why you don't hand world maps to people who play Bethesda games.

grimbold
2010-10-28, 10:16 AM
hexographer is extremely useful

dsmiles
2010-10-28, 10:23 AM
Eywot I dun wot now?
...
Oh, you mean AutoREALM (http://autorealm.sourceforge.net/)? Sure. I usually find myself just using Adobe Illustrator nowadays, but it works fine.

edit: Still waiting for someone to design a massive cavern system, complete with underground lake/sea, for me :smallsigh:

Nice strategically placed halbred, Serp. :smallamused:

I could do that for you, but it would be hand drawn and sent as a .pdf file. And it would take a loooooong time (prolly a coupla weeks).

Duke of URL
2010-10-28, 10:24 AM
I've used GIMP, myself. You can make some nifty looking caverns just be "freehand" drawing areas, painting them in, and then overlaying a grid. I posted a mini-tutorial on that once upon a time, but the file hosting site has discarded the file and I lost the original in a hard drive crash.

arrowhen
2010-10-28, 12:07 PM
GIMP for raster, Inkscape for vector, Wilbur if you want to get into realistic terrain stuff, Cartographer's Guild to teach you how to use them.

And remember, you're learning an *entirely new artistic medium*; you shouldn't expect it to be easy.

Serpentine
2010-10-28, 11:36 PM
I could do that for you, but it would be hand drawn and sent as a .pdf file. And it would take a loooooong time (prolly a coupla weeks).That would work for me, although if you were hand-drawing it I'd have to make sure I work out exactly the sort of things I want.

flare X2
2011-02-09, 02:10 PM
Hand drawn is the way to go.

that map is awsome I am hoping I can replecate a simular looking map for a champaign I'm doing

1. what sort of scale did you use?
2. how did you start of? inside-out/ out-in

Zuljita
2011-02-09, 03:44 PM
I *really* like maptool's setup for making maps, its free as well, but it doesnt print well that ive seen.