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View Full Version : DM Help New battlemap-creation software on the way



heruca
2017-03-07, 08:35 PM
Hi folks. I am creating cross-platform map-making software (for Windows and macOS), suitable for creating both print-resolution maps and lower-resolution maps suitable for use with virtual tabletop software. It's called MapForge, and it will be sort of a spiritual successor to Dundjinni, but with a greater focus on stitching maps together from pre-existing map tiles and then customizing the resulting map (with additional decorations, etc.) to suit the GM's particular needs.

http://www.mapforge-software.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/MapForge-Interface-Mockup-v2-Menu-1024x614.png

MapForge should appeal to GMs of face-to-face game sessions and to those using any VTT software, who want to create their own slick-looking battlemaps to visually enrich their RPG sessions (in any genre), but who find existing mapping programs (including image-editing tools such as Gimp and Photoshop) too intimidating/confusing/expensive.

The software will be priced to be very accessible/affordable, probably $30 or so, but to help offset that cost, there will be at least 9 free content Add-Ons for it, covering various genres. MapForge will also offer a free level of use, so having a license won't be required to make maps with it.

Version 1.0 of MapForge should be ready to go on sale in July 2017. Shortly after that, MapForge will also have the ability to generate random "dungeon" layouts via Donjon (https://donjon.bin.sh/d20/dungeon/).

I hope you will all take a minute to check out the project, play around with the downloadable prototype, and if you like what you see, tell your GM friends about it.

Thanks!

--Hernan (aka Heruca)

Edit: Link to MapForge website removed.

Firest Kathon
2017-03-08, 10:35 AM
I have to say: This looks awesome!

heruca
2017-03-08, 01:37 PM
Thanks! It got some nice coverage (http://rollingboxcars.com/2017/03/08/dundjinni-is-dead-long-live-mapforge/) this morning on the Rolling Boxcars blog.

heruca
2017-03-12, 09:35 PM
A new "Commercial/Publisher Bundle" Pledge Level has been added to the MapForge Kickstarter campaign. Limited to the first 100 backers.

JNAProductions
2017-03-12, 09:56 PM
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heruca
2017-03-13, 10:24 AM
OK, sorry JNA.

Does that still apply given the fact that the software offers a free level of use and 9 free content Add-Ons will be available for anyone to use (whether or not they have a license for the software)?

For example, could someone post here about Roll20, the free VTT with optional commercial features?

JNAProductions
2017-03-13, 02:00 PM
I'm not 100% sure. I'm not a mod-if you want the best answer, go post a thread here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?25-Board-Site-Issues).

If I had to guess, I'd say that you can't post about this because you have an investment in this-someone can recommend Roll20, because they don't have an investment in it. But you clearly have a stake in this, so...

If I were you, I'd edit your posts to take down the info until you get a solid answer from a mod, just to be safe. This is a very nice forum, and it'd suck to get banned this early on.