World Map Drawing Software

[Roguenewb]

Does anyone have a good piece of software for drawing maps of a custom campaign world?

Thanks guys.

[Grinner]

As I understand it, most mapmakers just use plain ol' photo editing software like Photoshop. There is an open-source editor (http://www.gimp.org/) available.

[Roguenewb]

Oh cool, thanks. Any ideas about where I might be able to find like a map-making tutorial?

Thanks for helping the not-skilled guy!

[EchoKnight]

I'd like that too.

I'm not exactly a wizard when it comes to creating computer graphics.

[Grinner]

The Cartographer's Guild (http://www.cartographersguild.com/) is always recommended. This tutorial (http://www.cartographersguild.com/content.php?116-Ascensions-atlas-style-in-Photoshop) in particular.

[Ninjadeadbeard]

The Cartographer's Guild (http://www.cartographersguild.com/) is always recommended. This tutorial (http://www.cartographersguild.com/content.php?116-Ascensions-atlas-style-in-Photoshop) in particular.

Seconded. That particular tutorial is really, really good for geographical maps, and you can tweak a lot of what's put down to come up with great material if you have a head for improvisation.

[Roguenewb]

Thanks playgrounders! You guys came through super excelllent!

[ufo]

{{Scrubbed}}

You may have to put a bit more work in it with conventional programs because you'll have to design map markers yourself (for cities and mountains, landmarks like that), but I find that in the end the creative freedom really is worth the effort anyways.

As an added bonus, you get experience in working with programs that are the stable of digital graphic design, so you'll get skills that are useful in a lot of situations. If you're making a campaign world you can give it a lot of flavour by illustrating stuff in the world.

Good luck :)

[lt_murgen]

As far as world creation, I found an oldie but a goodie really useful.

Sim Earth.

Seriously, It allow you to do all kinds of fun stuff and create unique looking worlds.

From there you can take sections and turn them into areas for your map. Yea, the graphics are terrible but the science is cool and allows for all sorts of interesting mixes.