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Well, I have been using a program called autorealm wich is a free program and works a bit like CC. Not anywhere near as powerful. The thing I have a lot of trouble with (I had this in the old version of CC too) is that it takes forever for the computer to draw the map, if you have a lot of individual icon on it, like mountains. How do you get by that??
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Well, I have been using a program called autorealm wich is a free program and works a bit like CC. Not anywhere near as powerful. The thing I have a lot of trouble with (I had this in the old version of CC too) is that it takes forever for the computer to draw the map, if you have a lot of individual icon on it, like mountains. How do you get by that??
You're right. When the program is drawing a whole continent, complete with trees, mountains, cities, and roads, it can bog down the system. I don't really have a good answer for that. I think the only real way to do it is make sure you have a good processor and plenty of RAM. Unfortunately, that's the price we pay for the "infinite zoom" capability of vector-based image tools.
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I know that a lot of folks use CC3 for most of the effects, then export the maps as image files and touch them up in Photoshop.
That's what I tend to do most often: CC3 with Photoshop, especially for online play where I have to mask part of the map, like I did here. I like how Photoshop can enhance even a simple map.
But I generally use whatever 3D/2D solutions I can... I'm a pretty shameless user of anything that'll get me a finished product that does what I need. This one, for instance, was for a friend's game, and I used a top camera in Vue D'Esprit-- basically, a 3D landscape program, like Bryce3D-- and Photoshop to match the tone of the rest of the maps she had.
It's really cool to hear how many of the industry leaders use nothing but Photoshop, though. I never really considered doing it all in PS... that actually sounds pretty challenging!
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I like the enhancements to your map.
I also like the map of the islands. For creating realistic islands and continents, I use Profantasy's Fractal Terrains Pro. In fact, I just recently went back to the program, because I was looking for a map to give me a general idea about some islands I'm using in a story for my daughters.
FT Pro has some awesome features and can give you very realistic results, including information about temperature, climate, and even suggestions on where to put rivers.
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That's a frustration I have, as well. I think the problem is that, for those of us who like to create maps, we want them to look good...which takes time, no matter what.
I only own Campaign Cartographer, but I do know that some of the programs out there (Dunjinni?) use a tile-based system for creating maps. You are limited to pre-generated map features, but it would seem to me that you can create a map pretty quickly.
CC3 does have an a function that allows you to generate "random dungeons." Basically, it throws up a number of rooms and connects them with passageways. You often have to go through several iterations before you get a decent result, but it can work if you're just looking for something to run on the fly.
For more deliberate work, I think the fastest way to create a map is still to draw it by hand. With any map-making tool, you're always going to be limited somewhat by the software and will have to work within the framework of the program, which is going to slow you down somewhat.
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Well I was just thinking myself, that Photoshop or GIMP would be the ideal mapping software combined with Campaign Cartographer.
Create the overland maps in PS or GIMP and any larger battle maps you may want. Smaller dungeons would work well in CC and you can import graphic files to CC and use CC to link them all together.
That way you can have your map of Golarion, mouse over Sandpoint and it comes up, map over the Inn and its CC map comes up.
Also, CC has areas to save monster and encounter data, so it can be used to essentially make an entire adventure. This is a feature I think is under utilized by most people.
mmmm I wonder if there is a way to create an adventure in CC and then sell it as a plug in to CC for other users? That would be interesting.
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my biggest problems with mapping software, is I cannot seem to find a good one that doesnt take forever to make the maps. I work 12 hour days most the time, and dont have more than 20 minutes or so I can afford the luxury of making a map...anyone know one thats very intuitive and quick?
It really depends on what you're looking to use the mapping software for. Campaign Cartographer has a little higher learning curve, and I don't think it's the most intuitive piece of software for people completely unfamiliar with CAD, but once you get past those problems, you can get some pretty good results with it pretty quickly, especially for dungeons.
Personally, I think Fractal Mapper can give you some decent results right out of the box, especially for landmasses, and it comes packaged with scripts that allow you to embed town/room/area information and export it to an HTML design sheet afterward. But I don't know that your results will look anywhere as good as with Dundjinni or CC3.
Dundjinni is nice, too, especially for tile maps. I personally don't find it to be the most intuitive mapping software around, and it doesn't come packaged with a whole lot of icons (which means you'll have to find/create ones, but with their user groups, that shouldn't be a big issue.) I didn't much care for it, but that's just me... if I made a lot of tile maps with bitmap images, I'd likely just use Photoshop.
Unfortunately, for quick maps, I just as often resort to scanning in hand-drawn work. Even with a graphic tablet, it's generally just as easy to hand-draw what I want.
Fascinating stuff in this thread. I had no idea I could use photoshop to make dungeons, yet here I sit with a dungeon mostly made and it took a fraction of the time it would take me in CC3.
So a question for the Photoshop gurus, how do I make a graph overlay that will actually print?
Well, since I have CC3, I will work with it for a while
I will experiment with Photoshop (once I figure out which one to get),
both from scratch, as suggested, with imported CC3 maps.
So a question for the Photoshop gurus, how do I make a graph overlay that will actually print?
Yeah...this is time consuming part. Use the line tool. A lot. For sanity sake, if you make a separate file with the lines on a transparent layer and duplicate the lined layer into whatever battlemap you're working on.
I will experiment with Photoshop (once I figure out which one to get).
Anything above Photoshop 7 is an excellent choice.
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Fascinating stuff in this thread. I had no idea I could use photoshop to make dungeons, yet here I sit with a dungeon mostly made and it took a fraction of the time it would take me in CC3.
So a question for the Photoshop gurus, how do I make a graph overlay that will actually print?
Tried to tell you without PS in front of me and I almost got through the end then could not remember the key strokes for it. Dang it...
Also a good reference source for learning PS skills is Good Tutorials
A lot of stuff is photo oriented that can easily be applied for maps.
So a question for the Photoshop gurus, how do I make a graph overlay that will actually print?Yeah...this is time consuming part. Use the line tool. A lot. For sanity sake, if you make a separate file with the lines on a transparent layer and duplicate the lined layer into whatever battlemap you're working on.
Hmm, I was hoping that there was an easier way. It seems to me that you could get the same result by lining in an area and then copying that area until you've filled a sheet.
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I like the enhancements to your map.
I also like the map of the islands.
Thanks! I appreciate it! Some of those 3D landscape programs can make really good topographic features, but it's sometimes a pain to get them 'just so'.
For creating realistic islands and continents, I use Profantasy's Fractal Terrains Pro. In fact, I just recently went back to the program, because I was looking for a map to give me a general idea about some islands I'm using in a story for my daughters.
FT Pro has some awesome features and can give you very realistic results, including information about temperature, climate, and even suggestions on where to put rivers.
That's one of the few pieces of software by ProFantasy that I haven't yet tried. I thought Fractal Mapper 7 (It's on 8 now) did a pretty good job with that sort of thing, but I've had very little but good to say about PF products, so I just may look into it, too. Is it pretty easy to use?
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So a question for the Photoshop gurus, how do I make a graph overlay that will actually print?
Yeah...this is time consuming part. Use the line tool. A lot. For sanity sake, if you make a separate file with the lines on a transparent layer and duplicate the lined layer into whatever battlemap you're working on.
I could be wrong, but it seems like I've seen a 'Grid' filter (maybe from Filter Factory?) before. I don't know if it would work or not, and Lilith is right on... the easiest way, no matter what, is to have a grid on a transparent layer for easy copy/pasting.
Hm. Maybe I should look into what the possibility is of creating a set of "graph/hex over transparent BG" fills for PS sometime.
Lilith, would you recommend updating from Photoshop 7? I haven't really looked into the later versions.I will experiment with Photoshop (once I figure out which one to get).Anything above Photoshop 7 is an excellent choice.
Photoshop 7 is a fine choice. I probably should have said "7 and up." :)
Also, on the transparent grid, you can easily change the color of the grid by adding the Layer Effect "Color Overlay" in the color of your choice and adjusting the opacity.
I could be wrong, but it seems like I've seen a 'Grid' filter (maybe from Filter Factory?) before. I don't know if it would work or not, and Lilith is right on... the easiest way, no matter what, is to have a grid on a transparent layer for easy copy/pasting.Hm. Maybe I should look into what the possibility is of creating a set of "graph/hex over transparent BG" fills for PS sometime.
I thought about doing the graph paper creater, but the I decided that I might get a cleaner grid by just drawing it as Lilith suggested. So I filled in about four inches worth, then I copied and pasted to the bottom of the page, copied that, and filled in to the other side of the page. I now have graph paper!
Next question. Does anyone know of any places where I can grab some good textures and map graphics for free?
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So a question for the Photoshop gurus, how do I make a graph overlay that will actually print?
Not sure which version of PS you have, but here are some instructions for CS3 (most versions are the same or similar enough that it should work):
- Create a new image (File... New...)
- Make it 72 pixels by 72 pixels, with a resolution of 72 Pixels/inch
- Background is Transparent
- Grab the pencil tool, set colour to black
- Set pencil size to 2 pixels
- Draw a pencil line down the left side and across the top (if you position the pencil cursor in the top left corner, hold the left SHIFT key, and then stroke down or across it will force it into a perfectly straight line) - alternatively you could probably use the line tool just as easily, but I find it sometimes doesn't line up perfectly with nice pixels
- Select All
- Edit... Define Pattern, name it whatever you like
- Load the image you want the grid overlaid upon
- Create a new layer on top of your image (so you can control the grid)
- select the new layer, then go to Edit.. Fill
- Select Use: Pattern and select the pattern you just saved (should just be a transparent square with a dark line down the left and across the top) and click OK
Since you did the Fill on an empty layer, you can control the opacity or fill percentage to make the lines lighter if necessary (so you don't have stark black lines across your shiny new map!) Somewhere around 20% usually works for me.
NOTE: This will start the 1" grid at the very top left of your image. To solve this you could increase the canvas size of the image you load so you can then move around the layer that has your map on it to line up the grid where you'd like it to go.
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The way I always made a grid, and you have to pardon me here since the program is not on this computer...
Decide how large you want your squares. 1 inch by 1 inch is most likely.
I would make a new document 1x1 at the same ppi as my map.
On a new layer I stroke the edges with an inner stroke. Make the interior opacity 0% which preserves my stroke and makes it see through. You can also use the layer styles to modify the stroke with drop shadows or whatever to look "cooler"
Save this as a fill.
in the map document make a new layer and fill with the square. I can now use that same square for all maps at that ppi.
It takes a few moments at most.
While there is a grid function that you can use, it is not part of the document and is for reference only- it won't print in other words. At least the only one that I know of.
If no one has posted a faster or better way, then this weekend I will post detailed instructions.
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So a question for the Photoshop gurus, how do I make a graph overlay that will actually print?Not sure which version of PS you have, but here are some instructions for CS3 (most versions are the same or similar enough that it should work):
- Create a new image (File... New...)
- Make it 72 pixels by 72 pixels, with a resolution of 72 Pixels/inch
- Background is Transparent
- Grab the pencil tool, set colour to black
- Set pencil size to 2 pixels
- Draw a pencil line down the left side and across the top (if you position the pencil cursor in the top left corner, hold the left SHIFT key, and then stroke down or across it will force it into a perfectly straight line) - alternatively you could probably use the line tool just as easily, but I find it sometimes doesn't line up perfectly with nice pixels
etc etc
I use the exact same method a he described but I select all and inner stroke the seelction, faster than drawing the lines. The only difference I see.
Next question. Does anyone know of any places where I can grab some good textures and map graphics for free?
Here are some textures, but don't forget about RPG Map Share! Dundjinni's forums are full of useful items as well. If you can still find it, the makers of Bryce were offering a free version of their software last year - it is fantastic for creating textures.
Fascinating stuff in this thread. I had no idea I could use photoshop to make dungeons, yet here I sit with a dungeon mostly made and it took a fraction of the time it would take me in CC3.
So a question for the Photoshop gurus, how do I make a graph overlay that will actually print?
The pro's used to use Adobe Illustrator for this. Sort of everything but the Grid in Photoshop but something about the Grid was easier in Illustrator as I recall.
Personally, since I do everything in 3D (from a 45 degree perspective) I created my own grid and I always just start my new map on that. You could do this as well - though it was mind numbingly tedious to create initially.
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Illustrator actually has a tool for making a grid. Click the tool, click the workspace, tell it how wide, how tall, how many divider lines across and down.... and click OK. :) However, the question was for PS. If anyone has Illustrator, you can also open up the PDFs in it (one page at a time) and be very specific with pulling graphics out. It's what I use. If only I could find the fonts that Paizo uses, it would make things much nicer for grabbing maps and the like. :)
You know, what I really need now is a good texture for forest. I've found some that are OK, but nothing that really works well, in my opinion. Any suggestions?
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i think i just need to bite the bullet and buy a scanner...i do excellent maps by pencil and much faster...*sigh*.
oh well. time to start pricing scanners.
but thank you all for the advice!
I just bought a HP all in one printer/scanner/copier for under $80. It ain't too bad either. 4200 series. My wife has our old 2410 and we loved that also(that one had fax capabilities too).
They are getting really affordable.
You know, what I really need now is a good texture for forest. I've found some that are OK, but nothing that really works well, in my opinion. Any suggestions?
As soon as I get my laptop back, I'll send you one. :)
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Fascinating stuff in this thread. I had no idea I could use photoshop to make dungeons, yet here I sit with a dungeon mostly made and it took a fraction of the time it would take me in CC3.
So a question for the Photoshop gurus, how do I make a graph overlay that will actually print?
The pro's used to use Adobe Illustrator for this. Sort of everything but the Grid in Photoshop but something about the Grid was easier in Illustrator as I recall.
Personally, since I do everything in 3D (from a 45 degree perspective) I created my own grid and I always just start my new map on that. You could do this as well - though it was mind numbingly tedious to create initially.
In Photoshop CS2 and above, you can make a regular flat graph on a layer then use the Perspective adjustment to make it appear to be 45 degrees. It would take a few moments at most to do it.
You know, what I really need now is a good texture for forest. I've found some that are OK, but nothing that really works well, in my opinion. Any suggestions?As soon as I get my laptop back, I'll send you one. :)
Can you send me one?
In Photoshop CS2 and above, you can make a regular flat graph on a layer then use the Perspective adjustment to make it appear to be 45 degrees. It would take a few moments at most to do it.Fascinating stuff in this thread. I had no idea I could use photoshop to make dungeons, yet here I sit with a dungeon mostly made and it took a fraction of the time it would take me in CC3.
So a question for the Photoshop gurus, how do I make a graph overlay that will actually print?
The pro's used to use Adobe Illustrator for this. Sort of everything but the Grid in Photoshop but something about the Grid was easier in Illustrator as I recall.
Personally, since I do everything in 3D (from a 45 degree perspective) I created my own grid and I always just start my new map on that. You could do this as well - though it was mind numbingly tedious to create initially.
Ahh, that sounds like a good trick. One thing about Photoshop or Gimp. You learn new tricks endlessly.
I've been making my Illustrator and Photoshop grids by importing them off pdfs from INCOMPETECH.
Even if you don't try it it's a website worth knowing about.
I've been making my Illustrator and Photoshop grids by importing them off pdfs from INCOMPETECH.
Even if you don't try it it's a website worth knowing about.
Neat site. Once I found the graph Paper section I, of course, searched around to see if they have what I use for 45 degree perspective maps I like to make. Oddly enough they don't exactly have it - though the Diamond Trapezoid would work if it was shifted 90 degrees.
though the Diamond Trapezoid would work if it was shifted 90 degrees.
Doable. I don't have the patience to work in 3D.