heruca's page

It's been 5 years. Time for another update.

MapForge has grown a lot in that time. Hexgrids are supported in both orientations, and the app can now make isometric maps, too, and edit Donjon-generated maps. There are also drawing tools, which work with either flat colors or textures.

There are now 52 free content Add-Ons to get new users started with a hefty asset library covering all the major game genres (Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Modern Day, and Post-Apocalypse). An additional 160 Add-Ons are available for purchase, also covering all the major genres.

59 content Add-Ons can be used commercially/published, the rest are for Personal Use Only. 13 Add-Ons support the Day/Night feature.

I'm currently trying to further improve support for the Modern Day genre, if anyone's interested in that. More details on the MapForge website.

I'm happy to report that the campaign finally funded, though it happened in the last few hours of the last day.

40 minutes remain, for any serial procrastinators still out there.

Now 71% funded, only $537 to go, with 4 days remaining.

Just a reminder that even if isometric mapping isn't your thing, this campaign is also a way to pick up a MapForge license at a discount, in case you want to make top-down or hextile maps.

GMs looking to create isometric fantasy/medieval maps for their RPG campaigns should check out this Kickstarter.

The map-making software is already developed and available, and it runs on Windows and MacOS. This crowdfunding campaign is only to fund the porting of the new isometric mapping content. An amazing 60% of the backers thus far have pledged for ALL the new content.

There are no shipping costs involved, since it is all digital downloads, and very quick delivery of the rewards is expected (March 2023).

You can easily preview all the new content via this YouTube Playlist (at better image quality than on the campaign page).

Hint: Read KS Update #2 for a link to download a FREE sampler pack of 22 isometric PNGs.

If you happen to own any of the Shadowrun computer games, it's a pretty easy matter to access the isometric graphics from the game and use them to make your own maps or handouts (say, for use in a Starfinder tabletop RPG campaign).

This video shows how to access the assets. And if you need map-making software capable of quickly and easily creating isometric maps, look here.

GM's, if you're interested in the possibility of making slick-looking isometric maps or handouts for your game sessions (any genre), have a look at this Kickstarter campaign, which ends in about 24 hours. Only five or ten more backers needed to unlock Stretch Goal #3, for a total of 3 free content Add-Ons.

Here's something that works even better, if you happen to own any of the Shadowrun computer games.

There IS such a tool now (6 years after your post, LOL!).

Go here, scroll down to the "Realistic City" Add-On graphic, and click on it.

You can do fantasy cities, too, and the artwork for that is freely downloadable from a number of websites.

By the way, the Playsets people you mentioned seem to have up and vanished, leaving their backers in a lurch.

MapForge would be ideal for this. It didn't exist when you first asked, but now it's a good option whether you're making maps to print or for use in a virtual tabletop app.

Here are links to most of the virtual tabletop programs available, in case anyone finds the information useful.

One backer short of 100. Anyone with OCD that wants to rectify this? :)

It's not looking good for the 2nd Stretch Goal, but you never know...

Doh! Not sure how I missed that. Thanks

I might re-edit the project video so that it gets right to the map-making action, in which case I'll make sure to fix the typo.

GMs looking to create area or regional-scale hex maps should check out this Kickstarter campaign.

The software runs on Windows and Mac OS X (not on mobile devices). It's already developed and available; the crowdfunding campaign is only to fund the development/porting of the new hex tile mapping content.

There are no shipping costs involved, since it's all digital downloads. Quick delivery of rewards is expected (April).

Has anyone tried Battlegrounds (aka BRPG)?

This might interest you as well.

Pseudodult, is this the sort of thing you'd like to see in a Starfinder tileset?

With luck, there will soon be many more such tilesets.

now there is a plethora of map-creating tools out there but as far as i found they are all medieval-fantasy based. does anyone know of a sci-fi map database/sci-fi map creator of any kind?

I know this is an old thread, but if you're still looking for a mapping program that does sci-fi, have a look at MapForge and the 10 sci-fi content Add-Ons currently available for it. Here's a link to 9 of them.

At least 4 more sci-fi Add-Ons should be available by the end of the year, if all goes well.

Bluenose wrote:

There's also software for creating deck plans.

I'm pretty awful at the whole artistic thing, but I can use software. Can you name me some programs to look into?

You could try MapForge, especially if you this new sci-fi content becomes available for it.

This thread needs a little closure.

MapForge v1.0 was released back in March 2018. There were some issues with the initial version, so it's been updated to v1.0.3 (which now runs on the latest MAC OS X version, High SIerra). MapForge v1.0.4 is due out within 2 weeks. Support for hexgrid overlays is imminent.

The app has a new website on a speedy SSD-equipped server, and the MapForge Store is now open for business, for those who missed out on the Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns.

I have developed map-making software (MapForge, recently released) that is intended to make maps for print or for use in virtual tabletop software. It supports content Add-Ons (free or paid), but only ONE of the 50 current Add-Ons are specifically Sci-Fi genre.

I'm currently trying to address this shortcoming by producing a slew of new mapping content Add-Ons, 14 of which are to support the Sci-Fi genre. If successful, I believe this could make MapForge the go-to app for sci-fi map-making. Is there much interest in this sort of thing?

I want to note, however, that all the new Add-Ons would be for Personal Use Only (no publishing or commercial use).

The only sci-fi Add-On at the moment that can be used in commercial/published projects is this one.

I'd like to see Paizo do the digital map routine with this. Program to make our own custom tile maps out of these. Print or display, would be awesome.

I'd love to see Paizo release these tiles in MapForge format. Users could customize the tiles, have infinite copies of any particular tile, flip/mirror the artwork as needed, and then print out their map layout in one piece, at a large-format printing service.

Just 3 hours left in the campaign, folks!

MapForge should be out soon (in a month or two). The Beta has been released, so it's in the final bug-fixing stage of development.

There are ten free content packs (totaling over 1.5 GB in a compressed Zip file) available to start you off. There will be 50 content Add-Ons in all at or around launch. Mostly fantasy, a little modern day and sci-fi. Those latter genres will be getting more content later this year.

For anyone who missed out on the MapForge Kickstarter campaign, there's now an Indiegogo campaign for MapForge.

There's now an Indiegogo campaign for MapForge, and as you'll see in the two videos posted on the campaign page, asset-browsing speed is now super-fast.

It baffles my why several people backed out on the last day (even giving up their early bird slots), when the project had unlocked SO MUCH more stuff than when they had initially pledged.

Just wanted to mention that MapForge can even be used without a license. Resolution of exported maps is limited to 50 pixels per grid square, and maximum grid size will be somewhat limited, but otherwise it should be nearly fully functional, and you can even register Add-Ons without having a license. I imagine this could be appealing to users of certain VTTs, like Fantasy Grounds, which tend to only use 50 dpi maps anyway.

All Stretch Goals were unlocked, with 10 days to spare. Now only 6 days remain before the campaign comes to a close.

A new "Commercial/Publisher" limited pledge level was recently added, with 100 slots, but only 34 slots remain. Some previously-unavailable Early Bird slots are opening up occasionally as backers change pledge levels, so be on the lookout for openings.

I just announced a couple more content Add-Ons for MapForge. That makes around 9 Add-Ons that allow for publishing and/or commercial use, plus 9 completely free Add-Ons that make for an awesome "Starter Set".

The MapForge Kickstarter campaign now has close to 1300 backers, and 12 days remain, during which the last Stretch Goal will almost certainly be unlocked (just $3K to go).

I know this is an old thread, but on the off-chance that you're still looking, MapForge should interest you.

Hi,

I’m looking for a good quality map builder. I want to create the sort of maps in which are in the pathfinder scenarios and modules. Can anyone recommend any? Or any tips?

I know this is an old thread, but on the off-chance that you're still looking, MapForge should interest you.

MapForge should fit the bill. The "why" part of the question should be answered on that page.

It will be both. You can purchase content Add-Ons, you can use your own art, or you can combine the two.

The Kickstarter campaign for this project (http://kck.st/2ldOJOn) got funded on the first day. Sorry, but the 500 limited rewards to get a license for just $25 are all long-gone (though once in a while someone drops their pledge and one becomes available).

Some of the content Add-Ons are free, others for sale. A fair number are below $5.

5 free content Add-Ons were unlocked when the campaign reached the first Stretch Goal.

Support for random dungeon generation (via Donjon) was unlocked when the 2nd Stretch Goal was reached.

Stretch Goal #3 isn't far off, but I've yet to decide exactly what that will be.

@skizzers,

Right, but I was hoping to get Paizo involved early-on, so they could help shape the development of the software, request specific features they might want or need, be assured it meets their quality standards, addresses their concerns (e.g., they probably want strict restrictions in place to ensure that maps created using their content cannot be published or used commercially), and generally be a participant, rather than simply watch from the sidelines.

For anyone interested in this topic, I posted some more info in this thread.

Minimum resolution for my app might be 1280x700, or thereabouts. So...don't get a netbook. For purposes of my app, more RAM will be worth more than a speedy processor. Sorry, but I don't have full system requirements that I can post, yet, as that is still to be determined. But I expect them to be fairly modest. I don't want to exclude anyone just because their computer is 3-4 years old.

Paizo is nor a software company.

It is a far, FAR wiser bet to license out the project to somebody else -- risk free.

I have offered to do this for them, via my MapForge mapping software. What do you think? 1 in 100 chance this could happen? 1 in 1000?

Did Paizo ever consider developing a Battle Map Creating software?

I see the quality of product you guys put out with Pathfinder and all its secondart accessories, just imagine what Paizo could do with a battle map creation software.

With the owner of Dundjinni gone awol and assumed fallen off the planet because the inability of anyone able to get ahold of her, and the over-complicated interface and bloated price of Campaign Cartographer this is a great opportunity to put out a simple to use, eye catching battle map creation software.

You could sell the base software and to keep making money on the software Paizo could sell Add-On packs. Item Packs, creature packs, building packs, texture packs.........the list goes on and on.

Cyderak,

I took what you said to heart and have set out to create exactly the sort of mapping software you described.

It's called MapForge, and it's currently on Kickstarter to raise funding in order to develop it fully.

You were absolutely right about this being a great opportunity for a mapping program now that DJ is gone, because my campaign, incredibly, funded on day 1. It's now in the process of unlocking the Stretch Goals (2 down, so far).

I have invited the good folks at Paizo to take a look at my software and to consider selling some of their incredible and exhaustive library of mapping art in the form of content Add-Ons for MapForge (think "artpacks"). So far, I've heard nothing back from Paizo except for a "good luck with your project!".

This project is going to create a community of content-hungry map-makers, and the bigger that community gets, the better chance I see of Paizo sitting up and taking notice.

I agree with the previous posters who said that Paizo should hire an outside developer/programmer to handle something like this, rather than attempt to do it in-house, so that they can focus on what they do best...publishing great products for RPGs. Well, I'm offering.

Thanks for posting about this, DJ-Bogie!

A quick update or follow-up:
The MapForge Kickstarter campaign ended up funding on the first day. Since then, it has achieved two Stretch Goals. The first Stretch Goal unlocked 5 free content Add-Ons, and the second unlocked a new feature, which is support for random map generation via Donjon. Details about this last bit will be posted soon, because it's going to be a HUGE time-saver for GMs.

Hi folks. I am going to be creating cross-platform map-making software (for Windows and macOS), suitable for creating both for print-resolution maps and lower res maps suitable for use with virtual tabletop software. The program 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.

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

In late January or early February 2017, I'll be launching a Kickstarter campaign to try to fund the program's development. The software will be priced to be very accessible/affordable, likely in the $20-$25 range (at least during the Kickstarter campaign).

I'm trying to gauge public interest in this, so please let me know if such software would be of interest to you.

Have a look at Battlegrounds (http://battlegroundsgames.com/battlegrounds-rpg-edition/). Not much tech savvy required, no messing around with XML editing, scripting, rulesets or frameworks. Yet the software is still very customizable/configurable, and can be used with any RPG system, in any genre.

This 1-minute video promo for Battlegrounds might peak your interest: https://youtu.be/OzhrATNKau8

Go here to investigate all of the available virtual tabletop options out there.

Scroll down a bit to get to the free ones.

Do folks using TTS for RPGs tend to "flip the table" when they roll a critical miss?

Battlegrounds: RPG Edition (aka BRPG) has all of that, except for the line-of-sight Fog of War. Instead, it uses a combination of manual FoW reveals and dynamic (light-source-generated) FoW reveals. The first two screenshots here show how it all works together.

BRPG's FoW system has other neat tricks up its sleeve, such as the ability to use a night map as the masking layer for a daylight map, such that as the players explore the map, it appears that their light sources are truly shedding light on the map. The result looks like this.

For "always-on-screen" player-editable notes, the GM would have to assign ownership of a text label to each player. The players could then edit/modify/hide/conceal their text labels at will.

Alternatively, players can enter ToolTip style (popup) notes on any existing stand-alone map element that they have been allowed access to (see pg. 53 of the BRPG User Manual). Such notes only appear when you mouse-over the item in question.

With so many virtual tabletop programs to choose from, it can be difficult to find the one that is right for you and your gaming group. This Guide to Choosing a VT should help.

My own VT offering, Battlegrounds, has a Fog of War system that allows for manual reveals (ie, the GM uses a variety of drawing tools to reveal shapes or areas on the map), dynamic (automatic light-source and vision-based) reveals, and a combination of both systems at once. Dice macros are also fairly easy to create (and later edit, if needed).

Snow Crash,

I suggest you check out Battlegrounds: RPG Edition, which was designed with face-to-face users in mind. The interface stays hidden until you need it, to heighten the immersion factor, and this, combined with the relatively hi-res graphics, makes it ideal for use in face-to-face game sessions, whether you plan to use a projector or an HDTV.

BRPG supports dynamic Fog of War (ie, light sources and night vision), as well as a manual Fog of War layer, which lets the GM decide exactly what can and can't be seen by the players.

BRPG isn't a mapping program per se, but many artpacks are available for BRPG that let you create your own custom layouts from component pieces (dungeons, mines, caverns, and even outdoor scenes).

Download the free Demo and try it out. And while you're at it, be sure to also download the newly-updated User Manual, which is very thorough and covers all the latest features/additions to the program.

And I guess, if the answer is no... why on earth doesn't it exist in this day and age?

There just isn't a market for it. Most people prefer actually playing the RPGs themselves, not have the computer do it for them (especially since most people play with house rules). And even if there were a market, lawsuits would quickly ensue for any third party developer who pulled it off.

I got an email from a Battlegrounds user who had this to say:

"I am working on a project that I will share on the BG forums once I am done with it to show just how killer BG can be. I am building a 32 inch widescreen 720p lcd tv into a gaming table, with the tv laying flat under some tempered glass."

He promised to send me pics of the setup once it's finished.

I figure this general idea would work with either an HDTV or with a computer LCD monitor. Care should be taken to provide adequate ventilation, of course.

Battlegrounds' hidden-until-you-need-it interface is ideal for this sort of face-to-face gaming, and if you have a decent sound system to take advantage of the program's audio features, all the better.

Download the free Demo of Battlegrounds (a virtual tabletop program) and give it a try. I recommend using it with Skype, Ventrilo, or some other VOIP program running in the background.

And if you'd like to compare all the VTs to see for yourself which one best fit your particular gaming needs, here is a comprehensive list of over 50 VTs.

I've started working on a DM's tool much like klooge (or the 4e one) but with a better price tag (free).

Is this project of yours still in development, or has it been scrapped?

And are you aware that there are already over 40 such programs already available? But only a couple are in 3D, like yours. Still, it might be worth looking at some of these if you need ideas.

Taurren,

Take a look at Battlegrounds: RPG Edition. It may be just what you're looking for.

And for a full list of all the RPG-oriented virtual tabletop software, go here

GameWarden, have you tried posting something in the Players Seeking Games subforum? You might also want to post on the FUM forums.