Battle Map Makers

[rweird]

What is a good, free, battle map maker that is usable for PbP?

[Savannah]

I use MapTools -- make the map, put character tokens on it, then export it and add grid numbers in Paint, and upload and link to it. It takes several steps (especially if you're doing it every round like I often do), but it works pretty well:
http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/1306/banditcamprd1.jpg

[missmvicious]

:smallcool:

Ooh! That's way better than what I was going to suggest. In fact, now I want it.

Hmm... it's requiring a download and the certificate is expired and untrusted. Are you sure this program is safe to use?

Let me make sure I have the right one. I got it off of this site:
http://www.rptools.net/index.php?page=launch

[Savannah]

I've had it on my computer for ages with no problems -- I have no idea why you'd be getting a security warning. Maybe try here (http://www.rptools.net/index.php?page=downloads#MapTool) which is the same site, but I think it's more up to date.

Edit: tried downloading from both spots and got no security warning. Maybe it's just you? :smallconfused:

[Burnheart]

You can also use google docs spread sheets if you want to throw up something quick and basic, but it would be nowhere near as good as one made in maptools.

[rweird]

I tried map tools but it was hard to understand, also how can you get so much detail?

[Savannah]

There are a number of good video tutorials on the maptools website which are essential to understanding it. As for how I got so much detail, I've spent hours getting textures and top-down models for it. I should warn anyone thinking about it -- maptools can easily become a horrible time sink! (But it's fun...)

[rweird]

How do you upload the image?

[Savannah]

You have to use some sort of image hosting site. I use ImageShack, but I know PhotoBucket is also popular and there are several more.

[rweird]

How did you give the tokens faces?

[Savannah]

The faces were made by one of my players, and I just plugged them into TokenTool (from the makers of MapTools).

[rweird]

What is Token Tool?

[Savannah]

You know the website where you found MapTools? Look at their other programs.

[Mantarni]

Something I've always wanted to try for game mapping is generating a Minecraft world and using a mapping program to make a topographical map of it (and seperate maps of the cave systems which could come in useful).

I mean, mc already has square blocks, the biomes are fairly large now, it has random generation on its side and you can use creative mode to build structures that look good from above. Seems like a good idea in theory, dunno about practice.

[rweird]

What if an enderman moves stuff or a creeper blows something up?

[Mantarni]

You build it in bloody peaceful mode. Creative mode helps too.

[rweird]

How do you upload the image to GitP, i tried but didn't show the image.

[Savannah]

You can't upload to GitP. You have to upload to an image hosting site (ImageShack, Photobucket, etc -- there are lots, but those two are a couple of the biggest) and then link to it with the tags.

For example, my avatar is hosted on ImageShack. For me to put it in a post, I have to link to it with:
[IMG]http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/3411/savannah2.png

Which gives:
http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/3411/savannah2.png

[rweird]

I did: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/208/round1u.png/ without the space and got:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/208/round1u.png/

I typed it in below the top line but nothing happened.

[Savannah]

*investigates*

Okay, you see how on the side of the page, there's "Links to share this image"? Use the "Direct" link instead of the "Link" link. Not sure why it makes a difference, but with the "Direct" link, you get this:
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/8712/round1u.png

(In spoilers because it's over 400 px wide.)

[rweird]

Thanks
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j460/reweird/DnD%20AGoC%20I/BanditbattleRound1.png