Tool for designing a map?

[MrUberGr]

So I want to design a map of a small area for an encounter. Is there some program or website with which I can do this and then print it out on a paper?

PS.1 Sorry If I put this in the wrong subforum.
PS.2 I'm not sure if I'm braking any rules here. If I am, then you might as well delete the thread.

Thanks!

[Grinner]

There's WotC's Dungeon Tile Mapper (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20061121t). I don't recall having much success with it, but it's free and looks pretty.

[inexorabletruth]

Pyromancers (http://pyromancers.com) is pretty good. And it's interactive online. So you don't even have to print it out.

I just google some maps and drop it into PhotoShop, add a grid and do my thang. That way I don't have to waste all day building a detailed terrain map.

[MrUberGr]

There's WotC's Dungeon Tile Mapper (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20061121t). I don't recall having much success with it, but it's free and looks pretty.

It is rather weird tbh... Gave up after five minutes.


Pyromancers (http://pyromancers.com) is pretty good. And it's interactive online. So you don't even have to print it out.

I just google some maps and drop it into PhotoShop, add a grid and do my thang. That way I don't have to waste all day building a detailed terrain map.

Well, we play around a table so I do need it printed out. This seems to be very good, thank you!

edit: if only the tooltips weren't in russian ^^

[Rhynn]

Dungeonographer (http://www.dungeonographer.com/) does squares and is great for indoors and dungeons.

Hexographer (http://www.hexographer.com/) does hexes and is great for outdoor maps, but can do much smaller scales as well.

In both cases, you'll export your file as a PNG and can print it afterwards. You'll just need to make sure it can actually fit your printer paper.

They're the only mapping programs that have been simple enough for me to figure out, basically. :smallredface: Forget vector drawing, I can't even master Campaign Cartographer...

[MrUberGr]

Now, is there anything that would help with world maps? My hand drawing skills only go so far and it's hard to get distances correct some times.

[Droark]

I used GIMP (http://www.gimp.org/downloads/) for the world map I'm currently using to GM. If you just download the application it might not be readily apparent how to do so. Here's the tutorial I used to do it: Youtubes! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf23Teu0bfU)

[Totema]

I used GIMP (http://www.gimp.org/downloads/) for the world map I'm currently using to GM. If you just download the application it might not be readily apparent how to do so. Here's the tutorial I used to do it: Youtubes! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf23Teu0bfU)

Seconded. GIMP works pretty well for me too. I made myself a multi-layered template that I can use to make a good-looking custom map in just a few minutes. Make sure to get lots of fill patterns for your terrain!

Edit: I had the same problem with world maps a while ago. I eventually convinced myself to get Campaign Cartographer 3, and while it does do the job quite well, it has a bit of a learning curve and is waaaaay overpriced imo.

[kenjigoku]

I am a fan of Campaign Cartographer. Its not cheap but it works well.

[Rhynn]

Now, is there anything that would help with world maps? My hand drawing skills only go so far and it's hard to get distances correct some times.

Still Hexographer (http://www.hexographer.com/). It's hex-based, but it has a bunch of freehand options for fine detail and edges, and you can turn off the hex grid for your finished result.