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So I'm running a (fantastic) Kingmaker game using Fantasy Grounds 2, but having multiple hex maps for each of the areas the PCs are exploring is very cumbersome. I have to have several map windows open at a time, and they clutter up the screen.
I would *LOVE* to have a single jpg image of each of the three regions combined (Greenbelt, Glenebon Uplands, and Hooktongue Slough). The problem is that I can't find anything like that anywhere.
So how could I combine the maps myself? I know nothing about image editing software apart from using GIMP to do basic scaling and alterations.
If you can use GIMP to do basic scaling and alterations you should manage to do some copy - paste. Just open a new project with size compared to all the maps, copy the maps, paste them in the right order to the new map, move them careful for the borders to match (more or less) and save.
I was able to find some high quality versions of the unmarked maps on google images. Then edit them to the same size and combine them in microsoft powerpoint.
It's not perfect but it does the job.
If you can use GIMP to do basic scaling and alterations you should manage to do some copy - paste. Just open a new project with size compared to all the maps, copy the maps, paste them in the right order to the new map, move them careful for the borders to match (more or less) and save.
I should have said I know how to use the clone tool and the resize option in GIMP, and that's about it. I can never seem to select or move anything in that program (I've not even found a "hand" tool!) What little I usually can accomplish ends up in a tangle of messy layers. So I tried it, and failed.
Powerpoint, however, worked like a charm. The image is a bit blurry, but it will serve.
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32
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Extract the maps from the PDFs using an PDF Image extractor.
Take note of the width of each map, they should all have similar dimensions.
Open one of the maps in GIMP. Use Image->Canvas size to change the size of the canvas. Add to the width so that all but about 10 pixels of the next map fit. There will be overlap, so try and take care of that early. You will eventually need to resize the canvas again to remove extra after placing all of the maps together.
Open the second map as a new layer. Use the move tool to slide it around until it matches up with the first map. Like I said before, there will be some overlap. There are elements on each map that will help you in lining everything up, like rivers, edges of the forest, and roads.
Follow the same steps for maps 3 and 4.
Go to Layers->Merge visible to merge the maps. If you need to resize the canvas to take up extra on the side you can do so by trial and error. Edit->Undo or CTRL+z is your friend if you mess up.
I have all four maps set up and altered, but I don't think I can distribute them. If the Devs okay it, I might do private links but I like to avoid illegal distribution where I can.
Dotting for interest
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Note: I found it via a search; I have no ties with the creator whatsoever.
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RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32
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For GIMP:
Go to Image > Canvas Size
On the Canvas size, click the little chain if you don't want the height and width linked.
Add on the amount you desire. You can slide the preview image around so that the extra amount is where you want it.
Note that the space is blank and transparent.
Start a new layer and make it white. Move the layer down in the order so it is under the main image.
Manipulate that layer only when adding detail to the map. This will prevent you from altering the original image.
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I put all the maps together in Adobe Elements. The master image is extremely large however, so I broke it up into two halves, "east" and "west", printing each as a PDF. Each half prints nicely on an 11x17 size sheet that you can do at a print shop.
Then I use the markup tools in Adobe Acrobat Pro to note locations, cities, explored and claimed hexes, land use, etc...
Right.
So I can use Some PDF image extractor on virtually every PDF of every AP I have on my hard drive - except KM #5 which I need for the combined map, because the extractor fails to function.
Does anybody have a suggestion what I can do besides downloading the zip-file again from Paizo, uninstall Some PDF, download it again, reinstall it and get the same error?
EDIT: Nevermind, the single file per chapter zip-file worked just fine. Off to Gimp again.
Ruyan.
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Poster razor will help you print it out, if thats all you want to do:
http://posterazor.sourceforge.net/
This is a great utility that I use to resize and print all my play mats.
Robyn
I'd love a copy fillipham if your ok with it. I'm planning on starting kingmaker in the next couple weeks
Dagada @gmail.com
I'm using maptool, and for my campaign I have created a map of the stolen lands by combining the player maps (no areas shown) from part 1-4.
I can give you that image if you want it, and it doesnt infringe on any rules from Paizo?
I would like that also, if you could... papa_drb@yahoo.com
thanks!
-- david
Papa.DRB
If you'd like a version of the kingmaker exploration maps that does not violate Paizo's Community Use Policy, head over to my Kingmaker Campaign Site. Look in the Maps section under The Stolen Lands.
You'll find download links on that page for a Campaign Cartographer (.FCW) file, as well as a .PNG file. I already confirmed when I built the site the maps that depict Paizo material, but do not use the original artwork, are OK.
If you are using Campaign Cartographer, having a map you can easily edit as time goes on is a godsend :)
I've been using paintbrush and Paint.NET for years so it's all just cut and paste stuff.
Any half-decent graphics program is fine.
Starting with the Map Folio PDF, that's all you need.
Note; that when you are combining the maps, that they don't line up exactly. It was easiest to find the overlap at the pixel level.
Combine all four into 1 map (huge). SAVE a clean copy to be your reference.
Also SAVE a clean copy of each individual map.
DO IT FIRST. NEVER SAVE OVER IT.
Saving KM maps is best done using the DATE of the map.
You can even build a slideshow of Kingmaker.
Constantly printing out good or better quality maps of everything will use up huge amounts of ink, too.
But, the game must go on.
If anyone else wants the rough overview map (or the combined one and you own the products already so i dont distribute), let me know and I'll send it to you as well :)
Most definitely! =D
Please and thankya. =)
I would like to see those too! Hopefully I get to run Kingmaker soon.
Yup. I have the adventure path and would find both the overview/player map and the combined one useful. Right now we are just using the blank hex sheet provided, but it would be really nice to get a larger, more complete map that shows the whole area.
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not sure if you can access this since I'm not that great with computers. But here is a map that I borrowed from another and than expanded south. should have made hex's darker cause most got covered and than I couldn't figure out how to put more in. I have started one campaign in Mor Aldenn which is where Mivon was. Will start a second group in 2 months and they will start to the east. using parts of dark-moon vale for that. The campaign will have 2 major enemies. the second is the world-wound which will need dealing with after N. But have learned alot about for-shadowing from reading these boards and hope to have some from both camp's. Purple duck games has a cool level 1 dungeon with a "worm that walks" that will work nicely, for this.
Hared part will be keeping up with both in the same world. will they ally or fight each other? we shall see.
http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaigns/kingmaker-from-the-south/maps/30963
Ick. I don't suppose someone could host that somewhere that doesn't require the installation of an EXE that does who knows what.
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Ick. I don't suppose someone could host that somewhere that doesn't require the installation of an EXE that does who knows what.Not sure if you mean my link or jjaamm's link. I don't see a need for installing an EXE in either of them?
If you are talking about my link, then let me know what OS you use, as I have never encountered an issue with zip files before :)
My link is simply a zip file, a packaged format for making file sizes smaller that has been in use for the last 20 years or so in the computer world, and most OSes today have built in handling of those.
It wont let me download it also.
Thanks a bunch!
Much easier, thanks a bunch.
Confirming (late) that I received mine, works perfectly, thanks a million =D
