Soon I'll be starting a Kickstarter campaign to publish a series of educational books providing detailed Map Tutorials using most any graphics software. The techniques in my Map Tutorials, though designed in Xara Photo and Graphic Designer, with some slight adjustment can be created in: Photoshop, GIMP, Paintshop Pro, Illustrator, Xara Photo and Graphic Designer, Inkscape, CorelDraw - and many similar applications, both vector and image editing.
It all started after joining the Map-Making for Games Google+ community and posting my Xara created maps. Someone asked if it was difficult to create a path through the forest. Instead of just answering, I whipped up a 9 step tutorial showing that it could be done easily with great results. The tutorial got a huge response from that community, so I started creating more (8 so far). After posting the 7th tutorials, someone there suggested I gather these up and publish them as an Ebook. Someone else suggested I run a Kickstarter to fund it. After some thought I am doing just that.
The product will eventually be (if funded) a 240 page soft cover, full color interior print book and PDF. I also have plans to create 25 more, advanced tutorials as a guide book as a first stretch goal, so there's more than one book, and possible map objects products and more.
So far, I have a Google+ community for Quick & Dirty Map Tutorials, and I just created a website to promote the products and the upcoming Kickstarter. Check both out, and hopefully join my Kickstarter as a contributor when it starts out.
I have some sample tutorials posted in the Google+ community so you can get an idea on what my tutorials are really about, and if they have any value to you!
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Sorry I am full up on Kickstarters at the moment, 7 for the last year, but am interested in the book when it comes out.
While I intend to post a release date of 1 year from the completion of the Kickstarter, however, my goal is to get at least the first book (more books only if stretch goals are met) out in around 6 months afterward - the year scheduled release just gives me more time to get everything released on time. Hopefully a book will be available sooner than you might expect!
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Given that I'd love to start working on adventure writing, I'm definitely interested in these tutorials, because doing maps by hand and trying to move them over to digital to then give to a cartographer to make professional is just a beast. Even if this saves me time getting the maps from concept to cartographer, totally worth it!
Given that I'd love to start working on adventure writing, I'm definitely interested in these tutorials, because doing maps by hand and trying to move them over to digital to then give to a cartographer to make professional is just a beast. Even if this saves me time getting the maps from concept to cartographer, totally worth it!
Well, give me an idea what kind of maps you need made, and I can incorporate a tutorial or two that caters to aspects of that kind of map, to better meet your needs in a tutorials guide. I would appreciate any suggestions, or specific cartographic issues to address. For example, I know that cliffs and canyons are a challenge to many cartographers, and I've already posted a 15 step tutorial (the longest one to date) in rough format, posted on my Google+ community. So I want to address the challenges faced by would-be mappers to provide an education they can use.
I hope you check out the Kickstarter when it finally starts, and help get the word out!
Here's a sample map I created last night for one of the sample maps for the upcoming tutorial guide book. This one uses a Photoshop Mosaic plug-in to depict a nobleman's chamber, one of the tips I offer.
All that will be covered over 2 books the 25 Quick and Dirty Map Tutorials Guide is for basics, while the 25 Advanced Quick and Dirty Map Tutorials Guide would cover world/regionals and other special cases, as the first stretch goal - I have 5 stretch goals lined up.
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I'm interested. I dream of crafting my own adventures; I don't know about publishing just yet, I just want to be able to make cool stuff for my gaming buddies. That being said I've always fallen down on mapping, using genero stuff on the net and trying to finagle it into my own stuff.
If you have a Google+ account, then visit my Google+ community, I have 7 of my tutorials (in rough draft) posted on that site, plus several sample maps that will be included in the books.
As long as you know the basic tools in your favorite graphics application, these tutorial books will have you making stunning maps in no time at all.
I'm still awaiting final word and printing/distributing costs from the printing house (Lightning Source) to finally determine my budget and funding goals. I'm still developing the list of all the tutorials I intend to include in the first book - 25 Quick & Dirty Map Tutorials, and how I intend to present them (in which order, for example). Plus I'm working on the Explanation of Terms, and verifying the explanations as applied to different graphics applications.
While it helps to have a promotional period before the start of a Kickstarter, the delay is trying to get all my ducks in a row. When all of this is straightened out and ready to go, I will start the Kickstarter - I'm guessing a week or two before it's ready.
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Interested.
What kind of map tutorials would you like to see? What is the most challenging thing you find in creating maps for your games?
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city maps!
I will definitely be tackling city maps in both the 25 Advanced Quick and Dirty Map Tutorials Guide (our first stretch goal), and the Hand-Drawn Elements in Mapping Guide (our second stretch goal). I'm even thinking of possibly doing one book on City/Town Maps by itself, as it's such singularly important and problematic mapping activity.
As far as having the knowledge to do this, know that, I was commissioned by Paizo Publishing to create the original hand-drawn map for the City of Kasai, for The Empty Throne module of the Jade Regent Adventure Path, and did some of the Kasai gazetteer writing, and am credited as one of the contributing authors of that release (Michael Tumey). Kasai was designed to be a city of 40,000+ population.
I will show you some free tools I use that gives me ideas on the development of a given city design. I will show my process of city design that makes it easier and more organized for that.
man I do not want to be a drag but I just started doing map work a little while back, both custom and printing/scaling/enlarging maps for tabletop/vtt use
I have found a ton of free and awesome tutorials on sites like newbiedm, the cartographer's guild and more that have taught me a lot about style, tools, practices and methods
is this a product you are going to be selling, or that you are funding simply to put together and give away?
This is a series of products that will be sold not only on various RPG online stores, but hopefully in bookstores worldwide. I plan to point out many of those free resources in the guide books themselves, and considering that I am one of the senior members of the Cartographers Guild, many of those tutorials and free assets could be something I created and posted there - though there are many others doing so as well.
I have been creating maps professionally for the gaming industry since 2007.
Honestly this project began with me creating and posting free tutorials for creating maps on various Google+ communities, it was members there on one of the map-making boards that asked me to collect the one's I already have, create new ones and put it into a book to sell. I was already giving them away for free, when asked to do it right and sell them - I don't consider your suggestion, "being a drag".
I realize I am not the only source for mapping knowledge, but I am constantly PM'd and Emailed with questions regarding mapping, so despite the available resources, not everyone is having success at creating maps for their games, and there are many questions, and not necessarily one place with the answers. I hope to put many such answers over the course of 4 or 5 tutorials guides this Kickstarter is intended to fund.
I may have a smaller giveaway product or two, but I'm designing mostly a product series to sell.
thanks, I appreciate the solid and thorough response
John Large a blogger has posted an article regarding the Quick & Dirty Map Tutorials project, being the first such blog to discuss it.
Scaling maps to the right size and then printing them in that wished for size in a cost effective way would be a nice thing. I for one have real problems with that.
Really, that problem only exists when using an image editor like GIMP for Photoshop, because you need to preset your pixel dimensions of a given map. If you start from a resolution comparable for use in a VT application at 50 to 100 ppi (fairly low ppi resolution) while print expectations are at least 200 ppi, though often 300 ppi.
There will be a discussion in the introduction on different kinds of graphics software applications, especially the difference between image editors and vector applications, like Illustrator, CorelDraw or Xara Photo and Graphic Designer. In vector applications, pixels have no meaning whatsoever, until a file is exported.
The tutorials and maps I create are generally created in Xara Photo and Graphic Designer. I create my maps based on inch scale, not pixels. When I complete the map design, I can rescale and export any map design to sizes up to 36" x 48" at 300 ppi or any ppi and any pixel dimension.
I will discuss Xara software and the advantages I find in using that application, even providing a link to the software site.
However the series is designed to apply in map creation for any software, and doesn't show a preference to any software, beyond discussing them.
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Definitely interested (depending on price point, though)!
The more cartography resources, the better! :-)
Besides the obvious tutorials already mentioned, here are a few more, just off the top of my head:
Ships/boats/trains - i.e. vehicles of larger scale.
Campsites.
Crossings - bridges, fallen tree(s) etc.
Otherworldly/planes.
3D and isometric maps.
Adding text, icons, symbols (Jonathan Roberts did a short piece on this recently).
Underwater maps.
Exotic locations - volcano/lava, treetop cities etc.
Turning a simple handdrawn map into a lavished map... and vice versa (e.g. for player handouts).
Printing out large maps (when you don't have access to a printing service (Kinko's etc.)).
Hope that's useful.
I'm sure I'll cover most of that. I've considered everything on your list except tree top cities, and maybe I can do something on that, or at least include it as a sample map that fits a given tutorial on elevated terrain.
I'll offer links to free and low cost software (including something to print large format maps in slices on your standard printer). Also consider I run Gamer Printshop which is a map printing service (like Kinko's, but specifically serving the RPG industry and GMs).
I specialize in hand-drawn maps for my professional work, and plan a Hand-Drawn Mapping Guide as a stretch goal.
While I hope you join the Kickstarter, PDF versions of these guides will be the most affordable, however the printed books won't be cheap being full color interior, 248 page books. Also consider that the Kickstarter is intended to fund a series of books. Participants at the $15 level are entitled to all released PDFs, while once published and released, the PDFs might be $15 each - contributing to the Kickstarter will be the cheapest way to get any of the releases.
I'm sure I won't be able to resist the temptation of pledging for the actual book anyway. ;-)
As for printing, I added that for those of us who don't live in the US and may not have easy access to large scale printing shops (and where it's cost prohibitive to order it from overseas - such as from your own company).
Print prices aren't bad, but shipping is the killer, as not only is there an overseas mailing charges, but there's the cost of the shipping tube. I have shipped to Australia, throughout Europe, South America, and to all points in US/Canada.
I finally got my printing/shipping arranged through Lightning Source and know my costs there, so with just a bit more preparation (perhaps a week), then I'll start the Kickstarter.
Spread the word, please! :)
Over on my 25 Quick & Dirty Map Tutorials Google+ community and the Map-Making for Games Google+ community, more and more members there are posting maps using my rough draft tutorials posted there. While I will get more technical in the explanation of tools between various graphics applications in the upcoming books. Many people don't even require that, just following my easy to understand step-by-step tutorials are enough that great maps are being created in all kinds of graphics applications.
up until a few weeks ago, this was not even a facet of the hobby that I was aware of
but thank you for sharing all this knowledge as I have begun to dive into it myself
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Just a heads up. I'm planning to start the Kickstarter on Friday, July 5th running 30 days to Sunday, August 4th. I'll made an official announcement when it goes live!
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Edit: I've changed the start date to July 12th, after a discussion with some 'advisors' that starting the Kickstarter after Independance Day was a bad idea. (I didn't discover that until it was too late to edit the previous post - oops.)
I've begun the setup process with Kickstarter, hoping to get everything ready to begin next Friday.
The Google+ community is growing fast, with 342 members - we need more though.
Here's a link to the latest rough draft, quick & diry map tutorial: creating a winterscape map.
Enjoy - and I hope you join as a contributor when the Kickstarter begins, otherwise, help spread the word.
Any projected timeline for when the Kicstarter will go live?
Just wanted to do an unofficial update here (unofficial because I'm not in any way connected to making the product, just an eager customer waiting for the Kickstarter).
This information is also available on the Google+ community linked to above.
gamer-printer has finished the introduction video for the Kickstarter and is currently waiting to hear back from the Kickstarter people why his hometown isn't listed on their project creation page. That should be the last snag before the whole thing can be sent in for approval and then go live.
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Sorry for the delay. First Amazon Payments verification held me when they lost my request - it took a full 7 days to get that approved. Then there was a problem posting my Project Location, which turned out to be 3PP software and the problem couldn't be fixed, so I was told to use a different nearby city, than my home town. I've submitted the Kickstarter for review and it is now accepted - finally!
Going for the optimal starting and ending dates for any Kickstarter, I now plan to activate this Kickstarter on Friday, August 2nd running 31 days until Sunday, September 1st.
I will post again on the start date!
Kickstarter starts at noon (CST) tomorrow!
In order to help spread the news, I'll be doing a podcast with Paco of G*M*S magazine. Also, I'll be writing a regular Game Cartography column in G*M*S magazine, starting next week. I'll be able to keep you updated on the project and come up with additional map knowledge goodness for you on a regular basis!
The 25 Quick & Dirty Map Tutorials Guide Book Kickstarter has launched!
Join in to help fund this project and help spread the word!
While I've authored my fair share of mapping tutorials for Photoshop, the fact that you're using vector-based software instead intrigues me. Consider me on board. :)
Glad to have you! There will be instructions for adapting the tutorials to Photoshop and GIMP, though yes, these tutorials are actually created in Xara Photo & Graphic Designer which is a vector drawing application. While the tuts can be adapted to Inkscape as well, doing bevels in Inkscape is a bit more problematic.
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Got in as the 5th backer. Now for the long wait until next year! :-)
I will do my best to get the funded books out before the 1 year deadline, the 'scheduled release date' is just to cover myself for any delays that might occur.
After 24 hours we are more than a third of the way to goal, but a long way from any of the stretch goals. I am hopeful to at least fund the first 3 stretch goals before it's all over!
Two thirds of the way and plenty of time left. I hope enough pledge so we can reach some of the stretch goals too. Some very useful ones among those.
And it's almost 3/4's of the way to goal in 4 days - I'm extremely happy, and wish to thank everyone who has contributed so far. Please help spread the word.
Among my promotional efforts, I have a blog interview post on DestinationRPG.com showing up very soon. I should be doing a podcast with Paco Garcia Jaen of G*M*S online magazine sometime soon, as well as writing a regular game cartography column on G*M*S as well.
Things are looking good. Thanks, again!
Michael
I did an Email Interview with Rob at DestinationRPG.com about me and the Kickstarter project!
Day 6, 85 backers, 93% to goal (only $259 left).
Strangely, there's twice as many $25 backers as there are $15 backers, and there are 2 more $70 backers than there are $15 backers. In most campaigns I see the bottom tier is most popular, not so with my Kickstarter...
9 bucks away from being funded!
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Goal met, as of this morning the 25 Quick & Dirty Map Tutorials Guide is funded! Let's take a sigh of relief and pat yourself on the back for such a great job supporting this project.
Now on to the first stretch goal, 25 Advanced Quick & Dirty Map Tutorials Guide Book, taking the first book to the next step.
Thanks, everyone!
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A Quick Overview on the Stretch Goal Products:
25 Advanced Quick & Dirty Map Tutorials Guide is really the second half of the first book. I originally planned on writing a 50 tutorials guide, but after I figured out the page count to do 50 tutorials, plus sample maps and all the discussion chapters that would have been a huge book (500ish pages) and if that were to be sold on a bookstore shelf as a full color interior book, it would cost like $80 which is too much, so I split the concept into 2 books.
Hand-Drawn Map Tutorials Guide is less quick and dirty, my plan is to offer hand-drawn work on 3 different map types - regional map, city map and an encounter scale map (castle or something) and as many steps as necessary to present them - perhaps 20 or more steps each, using my digital-to-hand-drawn to digital workflow technique. Then several tutorials for hand-drawn detailed map objects.
Using 3D Elements in Mapping Guide - I often use 3D to create detailed map objects, detailed portrayal of complex shadows, use to prepare an isometric/orthographic view map, and rarely 3D terrain. To give you a better product I may add a couple additional authors to write a chapter each. I invited Anna Meyer who uses Bryce 3D to create her 3D versions of the domains of Greyhawk, as Greyhawk maps is her productline. Anna is the one of the few pro female RPG cartographer I know - most cartographers seem to be guys. Waldronate (that's his Cartographers' Guild nickname, I don't now his real name...?) Waldronate is a software developer. He created Wilbur and Fractal Terrains which is an extension of Fractal Mapper, Wilbur is the more complex version of that. He's an expert a true 3D terrain - a real techie. But I think he can bring something good to a book on 3D mapping.
While I have a couple more stretch goals, the above is the main stretch goals.
I really, really want to fund these stretch goals at least! Let's see what we can do to get them into pledger's hands.
The last 2 Updates I've posted on the Kickstarter page show samples of the map objects from both sets available at the $25 and $50 backer levels. We are more than half way towards the first stretch goal with 18 days to go.
Thank you again, pledgers, without you this could not be achieved.
Here's the link to the Kickstarter once again.
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I'm now a regular columnist for G*M*S Magazine for their featured Cartography column. My first article was just posted: The Cartographer's Table - Which Mapping Software is Best for You?
Check it, comment, and share.
I will be writing articles every week, and this also helps me spread the word about the Kickstarter project!
Enjoy!