What about using the PDF's at a printshop to get laminated battlemaps? Is that an ok use?
Wow, I like lawful good people...
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Since I play D&D minis, I thought I could use some of the maps I already had. I found out that 2 maps from the pack City of Peril work great for the first 3 encounters of RotRL1. I used small portions of the Market Square map for the first 2 encournters and a portion of the Thieves Quarters map (a bunch of rooftops and narrow alleyways) for the third encounter.
Since the other 2 maps are Sewers and a Tavern, and considering that the second PF AP is City based, I thought it would make a good purchase for anyone who wants proxy maps for city-based encounters.
As far as the mill map that can be distributed and printed anywhere. I've made sure to utilize only art made from users and myself so there is no breach in the Dunjinni user agreement.
Regarding the maps that people are making to duplicate existing maps within Pathfinder that may be a sticky wicket.
Greg Volz
Natural Twenty Gaming
My understanding of the Dundjinni rules regarding this.. (and they have a post with 7 different possible scenarios regarding this)... is...
They don't want you posting maps you've made of other people's published work on their forums.
They don't want you using their program to develop your own material for sale, without a license agreement.
(and this is the one relevant to this issue)
If you make a map from a published adventure and post it on your own site (not theirs), if it is for a free download (and absolutely not for resale), and it has their compass rose symbol on it.. that's okay.
Hmmm... after all that, here is their word on it:
http://www.dundjinni.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=4586&PN=1
I'm looking at Example 7. There is still some ambiguity to it, but reading all the examples I think it comes down to whether:
A.) You try to sell it.
B.) Is it on your site, and is it a free download with their logo attached.
Now I'm not a lawyer, but that's what I get out of it.
Hell, I'll ask them very specifically right now.
EDIT:
I just posted this on their forums, pending an answer:
Here is a question for ya... and I am going to be very explicit:
If I create a map from an adventure (published by Paizo for example) using Dundjinni art.. and:
1.) I post it on my own personal website
2.) It's a completely free download
3.) It contains Dundjinni's compass rose symbol
4.) The adventure publisher, Pazio, offers no objection
Is this infringement?
The need for clarification is because there is some vagueness concerning whether the restricition about posting copyrighted materials on Dundjinni forums, and the requirement to have a license for re-sale are the same issue.
Many people wish to convert publish adventures into battlemaps. They wish to share their work completely free of charge, and make no money off of them whatsoever. They respect that you don't want it on Dundjinni's own forums. Does this constitute infringement?
Here is the reply I received:
I believe that would still be in infringement, because you're using DJ art.
Note that, for example, all the maps made for Goodman Games by Benwax
use only user art or DotW art.When DJ changed ownership, we were told there may be changes to the
EULA to make it less restrictive, but I haven't heard anything since.
My reply to them:
Thank you for the reply! I confess that's a bit disappointing, but I understand why the EULA is in place.
If you have an opportunity to ask the 'new' Powers To Be if there's going to be a change, I'd much appreciate it. I think this an application of the application that users would enjoy (and thereby draw more users).
I'll let people know in the meantime.
***************
On a side note, I'm still interested in Dundjinni, to make maps for myself, but this does diminish it somewhat that I can't share it for free on my own site while giving them an advertisement.
But I was wrong in what I said earlier, and I wanted to clarify.
I'd like to see their new owners review this EULA.
All of mine are 100% free of copyrighted material--feel free to use them however you want!
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And Trent? If you could host them... other folks volunteered, but yours was the only one I found that worked.(That is not to discourage others from hosting too).
These are excellent resources, and save a ton of time and the players love them.
If anyone wants to use our server to host, we would be glad to do so.
Trent Slabaugh
Co-Host / Design & Marketing
DigitalDungeonCast.com
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Out of curiousity, what software was used to create the maps in the actual book?
From reading various posts from the professional cartographers that have worked for Paizo and WotC in the past, it appears that most of the maps are done in Photoshop (although the GIMP provides an excellent freeware alternative).
At least one of them does up a sketch before hand and then either scans it in or uses a tablet (probably from Wacom) to trace it into digital form so it can be imported into Photoshop for the final polish.
Hope this helps!
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I wonder how much a Kinko's would charge for 1 map? I haven't been to a Kinko's in years...
I have access to a color laser printer at work, but it only goes up to legal or maybe 11x17.
I suppose having it on one sheet is better than pieces.
As a current Kinko's employee, let me give you the skinny on oversized color printing.
Most Kinko's can print on 4 types of material: Matte paper, Glossy paper, Indoor vinyl (glossy), and outdoor vinyl (matte).
Everything is priced by the square foot. Now, contrary to common sense, the two vinyls are actually cheaper than the papers. Prices vary somewhat by geographic region, but in Ohio, they run this this:
Matte paper = $10/sq. foot
Glossy paper = $12/sq. foot
Indoor (glossy) vinyl = $7/sq. foot
Outdoor (matte) vinyl = $8/sq. foot
What this means is that a 24x36 inch (2 foot x 3 foot) print is going to run you somewhere between $42 and $72. Pretty pricy for a one use item (even with an employee discount). However, what we lack in affordability, we make up for in speed. Most stores (particularily the ones that are open 24 hours) can turn around a map in 1 day or less.
Having said that, my favorite material for this type of thing is the outdoor vinyl. It's comparatively cheap, but rolls and feels a lot like the rubber sheet material you sometimes see in professional write-on / wipe off mats. It's also a lot less susceptible to scratching/wrinkling than the indoor vinyl.
They won't be able to print from Dunjinni, so you'll have to save as a JPG or PDF (remembering to set your export for the highest quality setting, of course).
Let me know if there's anything else I can answer for you.
Outdoor (matte) vinyl = $8/sq. foot
Having said that, my favorite material for this type of thing is the outdoor vinyl. It's comparatively cheap, but rolls and feels a lot like the rubber sheet material you sometimes see in professional write-on / wipe off mats. It's also a lot less susceptible to scratching/wrinkling than the indoor vinyl.
So, this is like the Battle Mats from Chessex? Is the surface a flat surface, or are there indentations? Will it support Dry Erase and Wet Erase while cleaning up easily?
This might be a good option for Taverns, Bandit Ambushes, Campsites, and other things that are the same setup and used kind of often.
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Okay, for folks wanting this to print at 1" = 5' scale, I've uploaded the full-size map. This one's pretty much done, and I'll use it for both the first and second goblin battles. Semi-spoileresque description below.
** spoiler omitted **
I've still got the Photoshop file in layers, so I can make things like the vendor tents and trees semi-transparent as needed (if somebody walks under one, for instance).
The link is not working...
If anyone's interested in putting some time into 3D maps you might want to check out Worldworks (Google it). I think their Villageworks product would be perfect for the town battles. I used their carts, barrels, etc. in my Expedition to Castle Ravenloft game and the result was pretty spectacular. I've built some of their Minichunk Dungeon as well but it's less 'flexible' - better for scenarios that are custom built - but works pretty well for your average dungeon encounter.
M
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So, this is like the Battle Mats from Chessex? Is the surface a flat surface, or are there indentations? Will it support Dry Erase and Wet Erase while cleaning up easily?
The surface of the outdoor vinyl is flat (no indentations), but I have to admit, I haven't actually tried writing on it, with an eye toward wiping off afterwards. Guess it's experiment time. I'll get back to you.
Erian_7, would you please email me your maps? Your links don't seem to work.
Not on dial-up or at least not on this antiquated piece of crap that can jokingly be called a computer. It loads to whole page except for the maps.
Oops, forgot to add my email address. wraith6@raresteeds.com
Thanks!