This might be a good place to post this query (apologies if I'm in the wrong part of the Forum).
I'm impressed by the mapping work I've seen in in Dungeon, and in some of the Pathfinder previews. I was wondering how your cartographers produce such great maps. Hand-drawn and computer enhanced? All computer? And do you use custom-built or commercially available programs?
Thanks in advance for any information you can give me.
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I start by drawing my map sketches by hand into a graph paper sketchbook, then scan those sketches into my Mac. Then I go into Adobe Photoshop and use that sketch as a reference layer while I build up the artwork on top of it, eventually turning off the sketch layer as the fully-illustrated artwork emerges, layer by layer. (Saving periodically as I go, of course.)
Shadows, Walls, ground textures, furnishings, "airbrushed" luminescent effects...each has a separate layer in the Photoshop file. Some maps end up with dozens of layers, just so that I can tweak individual parts of the map without affecting the rest.
When I'm satisfied with the map, I add a title, key, my West signature arrow, room numbers, and any other text that the map requires. Then I save a copy of the map as a flattened image file and transmit it to Paizo electronically. (Lately I've been sending them layered files so that they can edit the text in the image or make other minor adjustments.)
If the Art Director needs me to make any changes, he or she lets me know and I make them. Once the AD is satisfied, the finished image is inserted into the product and my job is complete.
I hope this helps!
For anybody else who's interested in the photoshopping part: I've found some threads on EN World about map drawing... In case you want to check them out: Cartography Workshop, or Making Campaign Maps. (My own maps usually remain on the "scan sketches" stage.)
...my West signature arrow,
I've often considered you one of the luckier people in the world that your name and career choice go so well together as to allow you such a unique opportunity to sign your work.
But while we're on the subject, I would like to make the suggestion again that a digital cartography masterclass would be a very welcome thing. Something as simple as a step-by-step "this is how I make a building" or "this is how I make a coastline" would be an eye-opener.
Yes! Yes on the class, tutorials, and other knowledge sharing. :) Thanks for sharing your technique (which results in maps I just drool over) Mr. West but I would love to hear more details if you ever have some time. It would be great to follow along with an expert!
M
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There are some great tutorials by Butch Curry of Zombie Nirvana at YouTube Fantasy Cartography with Adobe Photoshop 1
Later,
Greg Volz
Natural Twenty Gaming
Yes! Yes on the class, tutorials, and other knowledge sharing. :) Thanks for sharing your technique (which results in maps I just drool over) Mr. West but I would love to hear more details if you ever have some time. It would be great to follow along with an expert!
M