Hi all. I spoke briefly to Paizo yesterday about being part of PaizoCon 2010 and wanting to do something different. I inquired about holding a seminar and an open forum about how I do my Photoshop pixel trickery to build the GameMastery maps. I think it would be fun and would like to get feedback from the players. What would you want out of a seminar like this? Info, feedback, goodies?
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Thanks for asking, Corey. I've really admired your map products, in particular the way you add a lot of terrific details without cluttering the maps. (In every map I've seen, there's always at least one little thing here or there that makes me wonder: what's the story behind that?) and there's a lot of know-how I'd love to glean from you.
There's at least three different seminar topics there:
- The technical considerations of using Photoshop or whatever other software you're using; which I would find useful so long as you're working in a Mac environment with software and image libraries I can afford.
- A comparison of different mapping tools, their strengths and weaknesses.
- The theory and practice of evocative map design, and good encounter design as it's reflected in maps. (Using narrow and winding paths to limit the efficiency of long-range weapons, for a simple example.) I'd gladly spend hours in a seminar like that.
Yes please! I really enjoyed talking with you about your maps last year and think you should share your techniques with more people.
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Any Photoshop tricks and tips would be a major bonus.
What kind of process you go through from the time you get a cartography gig to completion ... how much detail is given to you, how much is personal flair and design, etc.
Pros and cons of various mapping tools (Photoshop, Campaign Cartographer, etc).
EDIT - and, if it is allowed by Paizo this next go around, would you have any issue with having the seminar taped for those who could not get in?
Thanks for replying back with interest in a seminar or FAQ/show and tell-like gathering to talk shop. I like the idea of an online component or an edit at least for those who cannot attend. I am hoping to do something tutorial-related with my BLOG throughout the holiday when "spare time" can make a rare appearance. I looking forward to being a part of another PaizoCon.
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If you do find that free time Corey and manage to put up tutorial material up, would would be posting a notice of it being out there on the boards (or maybe even this thread)? I would love to see something along these lines. And, if free time does appear, thanks for taking the time to put something like this together.
Thanks Adam and zylphryx. I do often double-post here when I have an update to my blog that is tutorial-related. I was wanting to do a session at last PaizoCon, but time was against me for preparing in time and blah, blah, blah...but be sure that I am planning to share some goodies at next PaizoCon.
Yikes, MOST interesting!!!
*grabs a chair*
Here, here! I would attend.
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Hi all. I spoke briefly to Paizo yesterday about being part of PaizoCon 2010 and wanting to do something different. I inquired about holding a seminar and an open forum about how I do my Photoshop pixel trickery to build the GameMastery maps. I think it would be fun and would like to get feedback from the players. What would you want out of a seminar like this? Info, feedback, goodies?
Corey - Count me in. And, assuming it is OK with Paizo, I'll be glad to shoot, edit and make freely available the entire session on our Youtube partner site. I can put a body mic on you which will get great audio without getting in your way. If you are game, we can screen capture the entire session to be edited together with the live footage.
DD
First of all I must complement you on your awesome first name. Secondly I would be very interested in this seminar.
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Thanks Adam and zylphryx. I do often double-post here when I have an update to my blog that is tutorial-related. I was wanting to do a session at last PaizoCon, but time was against me for preparing in time and blah, blah, blah...but be sure that I am planning to share some goodies at next PaizoCon.
Perhaps you could somehow carry over your seminar into more personal lobby visists discussing certain topics you touched on in your seminar. That would be quite an experience.
Thanks again for the followups. I would ideally like to have dual screens on my MaBook Pro to show my workspace and have that displayed via projector somehow. I'm open to having the presentation "screen-capped" and being mic'd appropriately. Depending on interest in seminars and open times, I would like to have 1 seminar Friday, 1 Saturday and have Sunday be a wildcard day for open topics while I have my booth setup. How does that sound?
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Thanks again for the followups. I would ideally like to have dual screens on my MaBook Pro to show my workspace and have that displayed via projector somehow. I'm open to having the presentation "screen-capped" and being mic'd appropriately. Depending on interest in seminars and open times, I would like to have 1 seminar Friday, 1 Saturday and have Sunday be a wildcard day for open topics while I have my booth setup. How does that sound?
Sounds awesome. I'll bring my gear.
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Corey,
If you want an idea want the final product will look like, have a look at this announcement about Erik's GamesU Keynote and follow the links.
Doug
Bravo. This will work just dandy. Incidentally, I've reduced the price of my Mapping Adventures: New Expeditions Starter texture pack to $5!
The direct link to the store is HERE. Work on the expansion packs begin next month.
Corey - Count me in. And, assuming it is OK with Paizo, I'll be glad to shoot, edit and make freely available the entire session on our Youtube partner site. I can put a body mic on you which will get great audio without getting in your way. If you are game, we can screen capture the entire session to be edited together with the live footage.DD
Speaking as someone who can't make it, I'd love it if someone did record and post this. I have some technical skill with Photoshop but not sure where to even start with map creation. Even if I didn't learn how to do this I'd love to just learn more about the process from someone skilled in it.
Speaking as someone who can't make it, I'd love it if someone did record and post this. I have some technical skill with Photoshop but not sure where to even start with map creation. Even if I didn't learn how to do this I'd love to just learn more about the process from someone skilled in it.
Corey - Count me in. And, assuming it is OK with Paizo, I'll be glad to shoot, edit and make freely available the entire session on our Youtube partner site. I can put a body mic on you which will get great audio without getting in your way. If you are game, we can screen capture the entire session to be edited together with the live footage.DD
I can only echo this sentiment. For those of us who can't attend (damn Atlantic ocean and no money), this would be absolutely awesome. And with Doug Daulton's set-up it sounds like it would be very well done.
I can't speak as far as Dunjinni is concerned being that I primarily use Photoshop. The Mapping Adventures product line can be used with any pixel-based editing software or layout program as far as I know.
Just last week I created my first video Photoshop tutorial and will be posting it to my blog this weekend. This will be the first of many that I want to produce this year.
I'm also in the midst of planning my session content and want to make the presentation concise and make time for LOTS of questions.
And here is the first tutorial!
I tried to install GIMP, but despite my high-end tech skils, could not get it to work properly. Besides, I've been using Photoshop for 18 years so it's like second nature for me to use.
I tried to install GIMP, but despite my high-end tech skils, could not get it to work properly. Besides, I've been using Photoshop for 18 years so it's like second nature for me to use.
Yeah, Photoshop is outside of my price range. It's just a matter of figuring out which GIMP commands do the same.
Update: My seminar will be going through! I just finished Map Pack: Hellscapes (phew!) and I think I will be taking some of them apart to show how I did them...along with some of your favorites. So, c'mon, what do you want to see?
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Update: My seminar will be going through! I just finished Map Pack: Hellscapes (phew!) and I think I will be taking some of them apart to show how I did them...along with some of your favorites. So, c'mon, what do you want to see?
I would love to see what you do for the various elements of the maps you put together. Do you have a reference psd you store various elements in, your design process for the various elements, etc.
Also would love to see the sequence of the map build from rough to finished product (i.e. - what do you get handed and what do you end up putting together).
And and and ... well really any tips and tricks you want to share. :)