PDA

View Full Version : RPG Maps



slurpz
2008-12-12, 06:33 AM
What do you guys use to generate world and overland maps?

Kurald Galain
2008-12-12, 06:40 AM
Paper and a pencil.

slurpz
2008-12-12, 06:59 AM
And scan it in for use? That could work, but I was looking more for programs (preferably for windows).

Thiel
2008-12-12, 07:10 AM
I use paint.net or, if I can get to my dads computer, photoshop.

Eloel
2008-12-12, 07:57 AM
1- Create the map on Excel (make all cells into squares for convenience)
2- Screenshot it
3- Paste on Paint
4- Crop as needed
5- Upload on web
6- ???
7- Profit!

bosssmiley
2008-12-12, 08:24 AM
What do you guys use to generate world and overland maps?

I get all mine from mysterious hooded strangers in taverns. :smallamused:

Cheesegear
2008-12-12, 08:26 AM
AutoRealm works pretty well.

Duke of URL
2008-12-12, 08:27 AM
GIMP is an open-source photoshop clone for multiple platforms (including the PC). You can use my basic tutorial on map-making (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98610)and then play around a bit once you're comfortable with the concepts to create any kind of map you like.

slurpz
2008-12-12, 08:28 AM
AutoRealm works pretty well.
I tried autorealm, and it works very nicely for urban/interior settings.

However, it just doesn't quite work when I want to make, say, an island with a mountain in the middle.

Kurald Galain
2008-12-12, 08:38 AM
I get all mine from mysterious hooded strangers in taverns. :smallamused:

Excuse me, but do you have a cousin named Sven?

Lord Tataraus
2008-12-12, 08:41 AM
Graph paper and pencil, then scan it in to trace over/lift out the outlines in Gimp for touch ups and adding in color. Though sometimes I just go with graph paper and pencil to make it easier.

I've found that most cartography programs are usually too complicated and a waste of time and money. Of course, I've had a lot of practice creating maps by hand and that is certainly more flexible than a computer program.

Mephibosheth
2008-12-12, 10:05 AM
I use Inkscape (http://www.inkscape.org/), a free vector drawing program, for campaign world maps. I get a general idea what I want the map to look like and use the freehand drawing tool to sketch it out. Then I "smooth" the lines using one of the program's tools for line manipulation until it looks like I want. You can even manipulate specific points in the line to get the image just right.

The results, after working at it awhile, look something like this (http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h197/Mephibosheth85/Maps/PhysicalMap.png). Or, if it's a city you're interested in, something like this (http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h197/Mephibosheth85/On%20the%20Back%20of%20the%20Wind/Dekhi-playerversion.png).

It takes a while to get the hang of it, but I think they turn out pretty well.

Mephibosheth

slurpz
2008-12-12, 10:10 AM
I use Inkscape (http://www.inkscape.org/), a free vector drawing program, for campaign world maps. I get a general idea what I want the map to look like and use the freehand drawing tool to sketch it out. Then I "smooth" the lines using one of the program's tools for line manipulation until it looks like I want. You can even manipulate specific points in the line to get the image just right.

The results, after working at it awhile, looke something like this (http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h197/Mephibosheth85/Maps/PhysicalMap.png). Or, if it's a city you're interested in, something like this (http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h197/Mephibosheth85/On%20the%20Back%20of%20the%20Wind/Dekhi-playerversion.png).

It takes a while to get the hang of it, but I think they turn out pretty well.

Mephibosheth
I like. Mine turn out looking like blobs.

(Using gimp) http://1evo3.pbwiki.com/f/evomap.jpg

Enlong
2008-12-12, 10:21 AM
Excuse me, but do you have a cousin named Sven?

No, but I may have something to interest you. I'm selling these fine leather jackets...

Mephibosheth
2008-12-12, 10:36 AM
I like. Mine turn out looking like blobs.

(Using gimp) http://1evo3.pbwiki.com/f/evomap.jpg

That's actually pretty good. I've seen a lot worse. It's kinda hard to judge without a scale or legend, but it definitely looks like a good start.

One of the things to keep in mind is that the purpose of the map plays a large role in determining what it will look like. A map that is supposed to be an accurate description of the landmass will probably end up looking more like a modern-day map with a lot of details and a few stylized elements. A map that is supposed to be an example of what would be created in the setting will be more stylized, proportions will be exaggerated and out of whack, there will be more illustration and embellishment, etc. Your map seems to be somewhere between the two. It's pretty vague and you can't really tell how big things are, but it shows the shape of the land, at least as the mapmaker perceived it.

Another recommendation would be to read this article (http://www.giantitp.com/articles/xO3dVM8EDKJPlKxmVoG.html), written by our very own Giant. It's a good intro to drawing campaign maps that actually look like real places. To be honest, the odds of natural processes creating a landmass like yours seem pretty low to me (though it might be possible, I'm not a geologist). Then again, it's a fantasy world so who knows how magic has intervened...

Hope that helps.

Mephibosheth

slurpz
2008-12-12, 10:48 AM
I kind of freeformed, and then it just looked pretty cool like that.

It is just a rough sketch after all, but I'm aiming more at a "accurate description" type.

OverdrivePrime
2008-12-12, 10:49 AM
I generally use Illustrator, but I was given Dundjinni (http://www.dundjinni.com/)as a gift last Christmas and I'm trying to get the hang of using it for city maps and such.

In illustrator, I usually turn my maps into PDFs and then chuck 'em up on my google group site.

Some examples:

The Poisonwood Forest (http://arena-of-champions.googlegroups.com/web/PoisonwoodForestMap.pdf?hl=en&gda=lQ9L7UkAAAAAnBocMn5ZJZypb4OZxHgQgsOH_6lPwYC2Kp 3Q-P4uQqa0lXf8WaDJJZsfEIWDSp-QNGqZB5Lhp5_yjPIX66lXhAioEG5q2hncZWbpWmJ7IQ) <-- 460k pdf

And some arenas for PBP battles:
Hitheon's Roost (http://arena-of-champions.googlegroups.com/web/HitheonsRoostArena.pdf?hl=en&gda=Q8PpUUgAAAAAnBocMn5ZJZypb4OZxHgQmR0DImj2cTcuSc w0ZmljRYh_fiHN_fM7-nVwPRt58iOmwwmmjY8lLEkm5GsdcWpfGjVgdwNi-BwrUzBGT2hOzg) <-- 485k pdf
Nevoda Arena (http://arena-of-champions.googlegroups.com/web/NevodaArena.pdf?hl=en&gda=T4Lc-0EAAAAAnBocMn5ZJZypb4OZxHgQUj9di_PVR6ZkDwqE_U24BE_ M_tYOJAvooWwlOnW94KJTCT_pCLcFTwcI3Sro5jAzlXFeCn-cdYleF-vtiGpWAA) <-- 120k pdf


And one more map, this one made with photoshop.
It's for a Rifts game I've been running, set on the East Coast. I wanted to see what 150 feet of sea level rise would do to the coasts, so I wiped out the low elevations. The results are kind of interesting.
102PA East Coast of the United States (http://arena-of-champions.googlegroups.com/web/ArrivalMap102PA.jpg?hl=en&gda=2ZvJOkUAAAAAnBocMn5ZJZypb4OZxHgQcoVIDSrlRVxpzc 89BtgzgwwueEc5SwEPwpSt_pG0wUVzlqnWZQD3y6jZqCMfSFQ6 Gu1iLHeqhw4ZZRj3RjJ_-A)<-- 610k jpeg

Epinephrine
2008-12-12, 10:51 AM
I tried a fractal mapper, and it was ok. It does a pretty good job of giving realistic looking coastlines/lakeshores/rivers, etc, once you tweak the fractal characteristic. Low fractal number (2-3) gives slightly meandering roads, high fractal numbers (6-7) on a coastline is nice, and rivers work well at 4-5.

http://www.nbos.com/products/mapper/mapper.htm

OverdrivePrime
2008-12-12, 11:01 AM
I tried a fractal mapper, and it was ok. It does a pretty good job of giving realistic looking coastlines/lakeshores/rivers, etc, once you tweak the fractal characteristic. Low fractal number (2-3) gives slightly meandering roads, high fractal numbers (6-7) on a coastline is nice, and rivers work well at 4-5.

http://www.nbos.com/products/mapper/mapper.htm

Okay,that's just awesome, particularly the World Explorer ad-on. I reaaaaly need to get a Mac that can run Boot Camp one of these days. :smallsigh:

slurpz
2008-12-12, 11:06 AM
I am looking more for a free alternative...the ndos trial didn't really seem to do it for me.

valadil
2008-12-12, 11:19 AM
I've had some success with the gimp, but I should point out that I don't do a lot of cartography in my games.

charl
2008-12-12, 12:22 PM
I've done some fairly good maps in photoshop. It requires a steady hand though. Never used one of those electronic pens though, but if you mastered one of those it would presumably yield better results than a mouse or the fingerpad I use (don't judge!)

I seem to have lost them by now however, or they are in some other harddrive. In any case, if I find any examples I'll upload them.

Shhalahr Windrider
2008-12-12, 01:48 PM
For mapping, I think vector programs would probably produce better results. So that'd be things like Inkscape or Illustrator rather than Gimp, Paint, or Photoshop.


I am looking more for a free alternative...the ndos trial didn't really seem to do it for me.
Inkscape (http://inkscape.org/) is free. And it's pretty awesome. My only real complaint right now is that you have to put up with the X11 windowing system when running on Mac. But you're using Windows, so no problem.

If you're more comfortable with a raster program Gimp (http://www.gimp.org/) is also free.

slurpz
2008-12-13, 10:27 AM
That's actually pretty good. I've seen a lot worse. It's kinda hard to judge without a scale or legend, but it definitely looks like a good start.

One of the things to keep in mind is that the purpose of the map plays a large role in determining what it will look like. A map that is supposed to be an accurate description of the landmass will probably end up looking more like a modern-day map with a lot of details and a few stylized elements. A map that is supposed to be an example of what would be created in the setting will be more stylized, proportions will be exaggerated and out of whack, there will be more illustration and embellishment, etc. Your map seems to be somewhere between the two. It's pretty vague and you can't really tell how big things are, but it shows the shape of the land, at least as the mapmaker perceived it.

Another recommendation would be to read this article (http://www.giantitp.com/articles/xO3dVM8EDKJPlKxmVoG.html), written by our very own Giant. It's a good intro to drawing campaign maps that actually look like real places. To be honest, the odds of natural processes creating a landmass like yours seem pretty low to me (though it might be possible, I'm not a geologist). Then again, it's a fantasy world so who knows how magic has intervened...

Hope that helps.

Mephibosheth
By the way, in my map, the two blobs of water are supposed to be lakes, while the water that splits from it forms rivers. The lakes and river are freshwater, while the ocean is saltwater. So it isn't like, the ocean kind of carved all the way in. The water is actually running out towards the sea.