A couple map questions

[Owen K. C. Stephens]

Jacob W. Michaels wrote:

Of the people I think most known for using a theme:

Steve Miller got knocked badly for it, but IMO that was as much because many felt he didn't respond to the criticisms of his Round 4 pitch when it formed part of his Round 5 pitch as opposed to the fact that he used a theme.

On the other hand, last year's winner, Monica Marlowe, got a lot of praise for her R2 map and I think that her use of it and her R4 encounter in her adventure pitch was well-received.

I think Jacob's analysis is spot-on. Which to me means the answer really is "It depends on how you do it. Do the thing allowed by the rules that inspires you most."

[Thunderfrog]

Owen K. C. Stephens wrote:

Taylor Hubler wrote:

Will there be something that narrows the focus of the map's theme, such as "urban" or "related to giants"?

I think "Encounter that fits on a flip-map, in the flip-map style," is plenty of focus this year.

But Round 2 does *not* have an encounter, correct? It's just a map on which an interesting encounter could occur?

[Owen K. C. Stephens]

Here are part of the official rules, let's see if they clear this up for you. :)

• Entry must be a map of a fantasy-themed location on Golarion appropriate for an encounter. You may create a map for an encounter set in a city, wilderness, dungeon, or any other fantasy Golarion location appropriate for an encounter map. You may present a map designed for a specific encounter, or one useful for a variety of encounters.
• Each entry should have a name for the map which may be generic (such as “Haunted Alchemy Shop”) or specific (such as “The Flooded Cauldron”).
• The entry should include any notes about what various symbols, lines, or shaded areas mean, or what each area on the map represents. The map need not be ready-to-publish, but a cartographer given nothing but the map should be able to create an accurate, useful, interesting publishable final map without any other information.
• The entry may include up to 50 words of explanation not presented on the map itself. This may be used to explain symbols and shading (to increase map clarity by not presenting that information on the map), or may be used to describe background about the location presented, or suggest a specific encounter that may take place at the location. This is not enough wordcount to present a full encounter (including things such as tactics and monster statistics), so don’t attempt to do so. This challenge is about presenting an interesting and clear map, not about designing a specific game encounter.

[John Lynch 106]

Thanks Owen. That's what I was expecting but it's nice to have that confirmed.

[Dieben]

Owen K. C. Stephens wrote:

Here are part of the official rules, let's see if they clear this up for you. :)

• Entry must be a map of a fantasy-themed location on Golarion appropriate for an encounter. You may create a map for an encounter set in a city, wilderness, dungeon, or any other fantasy Golarion location appropriate for an encounter map. You may present a map designed for a specific encounter, or one useful for a variety of encounters.
• Each entry should have a name for the map which may be generic (such as “Haunted Alchemy Shop”) or specific (such as “The Flooded Cauldron”).
• The entry should include any notes about what various symbols, lines, or shaded areas mean, or what each area on the map represents. The map need not be ready-to-publish, but a cartographer given nothing but the map should be able to create an accurate, useful, interesting publishable final map without any other information.
• The entry may include up to 50 words of explanation not presented on the map itself. This may be used to explain symbols and shading (to increase map clarity by not presenting that information on the map), or may be used to describe background about the location presented, or suggest a specific encounter that may take place at the location. This is not enough wordcount to present a full encounter (including things such as tactics and monster statistics), so don’t attempt to do so. This challenge is about presenting an interesting and clear map, not about designing a specific game encounter.

THANK YOU!

[Zombieneighbours]

Owen, any technical restrictions such as max/min canvas size, max/min dpi, file types, and so on. Would be most welcome.

[Zombieneighbours]

I also just realised that the map I had been working on, is almost certainly not appropreate. I had read encounter location as adventure location. As a result Ive done a small dungeon, rather than a location for a single encounter.

[The Raven Black]

Zombieneighbours wrote:

I also just realised that the map I had been working on, is almost certainly not appropreate. I had read encounter location as adventure location. As a result Ive done a small dungeon, rather than a location for a single encounter.

Do not dismiss your work so fast. Maybe it can become the map for a running encounter with new hazards and monsters appearing as PCs race from room to room :-)

Better wait for the whole of the Round 2's rules and following comments.

That said, making another map is good practice and may end up in something that is even better than your current project ;-)

[Zombieneighbours]

Oh, I am not dismissing it by any means. It is just not fit for this purpose, if I am understanding Owen's statements in this thread correctly.

It is hardly wasted work.I have a mapping patreon and a blog it can make good content for.

Edit:

It just means that unless there is a clarification that says "no something along the lines of the crypt of the ever flame flip mat is totally fine, I am better of putting it on the back burner.

[Wren Brown]

Russ Brown wrote:

JPSTOD wrote:

Only thing I don't see defined yet is DPI...

I usually do 50 per 5 ft...some like 100 per 5 foot.

It will probably be at least 300dpi. That is what the map round was last year.

Gah! I just double checked my saved map file from last time. It seems it is actually 150 DPI! Sorry for the bad info, folks. :(

[Anthony Adam]

Russ Brown wrote:

Russ Brown wrote:

JPSTOD wrote:

Only thing I don't see defined yet is DPI...

I usually do 50 per 5 ft...some like 100 per 5 foot.

It will probably be at least 300dpi. That is what the map round was last year.

Gah! I just double checked my saved map file from last time. It seems it is actually 150 DPI! Sorry for the bad info, folks. :(

So, experienced scanners...

Is it best to scan at 150 dpi, OR are the results better if scanned at 300 or 600 and then use photoshop to downscale the dpi?

[Wszebor Uriev]

Anthony Adam wrote:

Is it best to scan at 150 dpi, OR are the results better if scanned at 300 or 600 and then use photoshop to downscale the dpi?

It is a technique as old as time itself that cartoonists draw big and scan small. Loads of imperfections go away that way :)

[OhGodTheRats]

Since Flipmats don't have keys on them (or at least the ones I looked at that're on my shelf/in the online store), does this means you can't have a visual as your key? (Similar to previous RPGSS map entries)

...Or can my "Note" explaining symbols/terrain be an additional image file? (Or on the border of the main map image)

I started to dive into this today & I keep feeling I'm missing some detail that's going to bite me in the butt. I hate to admit it, but up until a few moments ago, I was under the impression you'd have to design two maps in total, thematically linked, as seen on flipmats.
:facepalm:

EDIT: Just so we're clear, this is SUPER FUN & I'm loving it, not unlike an unspeakable American cheeseburger. I don't think I'm conveying that with all my clumsy questions. In fact, by me adding this to my previous post, I'm certain of it. :D

[Jacob W. Michaels]

Owen previously said the legend must be part of the allotted space for the map.

[omicloudd]

Anyone have the link for the grid?

[Nazard]

omicloudd wrote:

Anyone have the link for the grid?

Page 2 of this thread.

I found it a bit grainy and the blue didn't show up well, so I opened it in paint, whited out the squares (to get rid of the jpg artifacts) and superimposed black lines over the blue to make it super crisp.

Then I stupidly started making my map entry on top of it without saving the grid as a separate file, so I'm really hoping I like my entry or I'll have to do all that again.

[Owen K. C. Stephens]

Zombieneighbours wrote:

I also just realised that the map I had been working on, is almost certainly not appropreate. I had read encounter location as adventure location. As a result Ive done a small dungeon, rather than a location for a single encounter.

If it is a previously unmapped area of Golarion, fits on the grid, is to the correct scale, and would work well for encounters, it is appropriate. A small dungeon is no different from a city corner in this regard.

[OhGodTheRats]

Nazard wrote:

omicloudd wrote:

Anyone have the link for the grid?

Page 2 of this thread.

For reference: The Link From Round 4 From a Previous Year someone found on the Forums

...But I'm not sure that's the official one we should be using since Owen stated he'd give us something to use AFTER this was posted.

[Owen K. C. Stephens]

Zombieneighbours wrote:

Owen, any technical restrictions such as max/min canvas size, max/min dpi, file types, and so on. Would be most welcome.

There will be specific dpi rules and possible other technical specifications, which are being ironed out.

[omicloudd]

Thanks Nazard I must of passed over it atleast 10 times, you are right though it is a little faint blue.

[Nazard]

OhGodTheRats wrote:

Nazard wrote:

omicloudd wrote:

Anyone have the link for the grid?

Page 2 of this thread.

For reference: The Link From Round 4 From a Previous Year someone found on the Forums

...But I'm not sure that's the official one we should be using since Owen stated he'd give us something to use AFTER this was posted.

Any 30x24 grid should be fine, since some folks will draw their maps on graph paper and scan them.

Though the official rules may specify you have to print off the blue one and use that.

[Swiftbrook]

Jacob W. Michaels wrote:

Owen previously said the legend must be part of the allotted space for the map.

Owen K. C. Stephens wrote:

Here are part of the official rules, let's see if they clear this up for you. :)

• The entry may include up to 50 words of explanation not presented on the map itself. This may be used to explain symbols and shading (to increase map clarity by not presenting that information on the map), or may be used to describe background about the location presented, or suggest a specific encounter that may take place at the location. This is not enough wordcount to present a full encounter (including things such as tactics and monster statistics), so don’t attempt to do so. This challenge is about presenting an interesting and clear map, not about designing a specific game encounter.

[Monica Marlowe]

Kurzak wrote:

For the flip map, if one is going to hand draw it, is it best to print the grid they provide at the full scale of 24" X 30", and then scan it back in?

That is exactly what I did. You'll be told what resolution to provide, which was the hardest part of the turn over process for me. Almost harder than drawing the darned maps. >.<

[Nazard]

When I downloaded the grid on page two, it was 150 dpi. GIMP is free software and it was very easy to upgrade the resolution to 300 dpi (I googled a video of some tech guy demonstrating it).

I'm not a graphics tech guy, so if this is wrong please somebody clarify, but the higher the dpi, the better resolution, which means things will be clearer when folks click on the maps to view them during the voting process. The little thumbnail versions on the voting thread are usually too small to read the text. So if the give us a range, go for the max.

[dafelsheim]

Just to be clear... Regarding things like Traps, Haunts, Hazards, etc. -

We would only represent them on the map with the appropriate graphics and include the icon->label in the map key? But do nothing to otherwise reflect the mechanics/stats of such non-Creature encounters? No trap block stats, etc.?

Also, what about environmental conditions, like cold level or water depth? Would it be completely up to us how we wanted to visually depict such things (along with the label/key?) or could we, for example, use the contour/climate mapping methods and note the various changes numerically on the map itself?

[Jacob W. Michaels]

I think that's probably an accurate assessment, dafelsheim. You do have a 50-word block, so you could perhaps mention it's a springloaded spear trap, but not give specifics, for example, or say the deaths in the ruined building have spawned a fiery haunt.

[JPSTOD]

Since I ain't in the running..
50 Word Stat block would be something like ...Underground Sewers in the Market District in Kara Maga. The sewer sytems drop under ground to a typical depth of 30 feet. Passages are 5 to 15 feet wide and Celing range from 2.5 to 15 feet in Height.

Annual "Faire and Jousting Turneyment" in Kallimassoa in Varisa ...

The Forge of Klien Grobsmidt Mastersmith at Anvil House.

'Motel 666, We will leave the evr' burning torch lit for ya'

[JPSTOD]

Two things with DPI...The More DPI the more you can Zoom in on line without what is called pixilating (become Blurry, out of focus) and the better the detail when printed.

DPI is Dots per Inch...

just remember a Battlemap tend to be Generic in Nature to Allow repeated use....

Personally I hate using the Same Campsite at the same fork in the road over and over...but then again I like most people won't spend $10000 on 1000 various Flipmats just to have 1000 Campsites.

Why I map out my own maps or Use a Generic Wipeable Map so I can change it over and over, however I do tend to use the same locales over and over so I hate having to remap Anvil House everytime I use it..Or Lolli's Candy Shop, Or The Tippsy Tankard..I love just pulling out their maps...

[Pizza Lord]

I do hope if someone makes a specific map or encounter location I don't have to constantly read about how it isn't generic enough to be used except in in one particular scenario.

[John Lynch 106]

This is something I've been struggling with. I prefer flip mats that are very generic as a GM, but nor am I inspired by such flip mats and nor do they contain physical elements that present multiple tactical choices. After abandoning around 6 fully fleshed out ideas I think I've finally struck the balance between useful in multiple scenarios and yet visually interesting and a dynamic environment that will present multiple meaningful choices on a tactical and story level.

Of course, upon further thought I might decide it's flawed regardless. If wavering between generic and boring or specific and interesting I would lean towards the latter and treat the "flip mat" as guidance on dimensions (rather than how it will be used). But if you can get interesting and useful in a variety of situations definitely go for that.

[JPSTOD]

One of the main key factors I look for in the Map is actually Simplicity....not every detail on the Map has to pop out..Open spaces are fine, not every square has to be filled with something... An Outdoor Market could be designed to be for a Thorpe and Not a Metropolis. 10 Stalls may be more usefull than 100 in the same Space.

Sometime the likeability of a Map is about the colors and how they blend with out being to contrasting and flambouyant..

[dafelsheim]

So, another question in the rare case that I actually make it past the Open Call.

If I want to make a map whose initial conditions/environment includes a catalyst that would change the map over time, would it be within scope of the rules to visually depict those changes somehow? I am not sure if this counts as setting up a specific encounter or providing "strategy" of some sort.

Example of what I'm talking about (but not using): The map starts with a dam that is about to burst.

[Wren Brown]

You could look at last years entries. One map had a melting glacier.

[Chris Shaeffer]

I glanced through previous questions, but didn't see this one. Let me know if I am being redundant.

The rules calls for a 24x30 grid and for 72 ppi, and says that translates to 1728 x 2160. What it doesn't say is that that is the strict maximum size allowed for the image itself.

My question is: Are we allowed to leave a little breathing room around the sides to keep the grid from going right up to the edge of the image? Just for visual purposes, really.

Thanks!

[dafelsheim]

Russ Brown wrote:

You could look at last years entries. One map had a melting glacier.

That's exactly the sort of thing I had in mind. I was hoping that the same sort of thing would be allowed in the current round.

[Dieben]

Chris Shaeffer wrote:

I glanced through previous questions, but didn't see this one. Let me know if I am being redundant.

The rules calls for a 24x30 grid and for 72 ppi, and says that translates to 1728 x 2160. What it doesn't say is that that is the strict maximum size allowed for the image itself.

My question is: Are we allowed to leave a little breathing room around the sides to keep the grid from going right up to the edge of the image? Just for visual purposes, really.

Thanks!

This is a good question.

[Jarrett Sigler]

Word of warning folks, MS paint does NOT LET You change your image resolution. Found this out the hard way.

[Donald Robinson]

Tothric wrote:

Word of warning folks, MS paint does NOT LET You change your image resolution. Found this out the hard way.

Good to know. I'll have to start looking into that. Also need a new map idea, as my original one is similar in concept to something already done T-T

[Anthony Adam]

Paint.net might and its free, but so is gimp and I know that works! ;)

[JPSTOD]

Where, When Did they Release 72DPI as the Offical Scale yet for exported File?

Ask yourself...Can I do my Concept in a Single 24x30 Map Contriubtion..
Your task will be enter a Single flip Map not Multiple Ones..
Your NOT TASKED to enter an Encounter Map for a future entry..just a Flip Map Locale

Your Task is to Design its Orientation 24 North/South or 30 North/South and put a Compass Rose on it to designate the Orientation...will Your Design look best N/S or E/W.

Will your design fit inside the grid effectively?
If you designed a walled city will it look best with Walls all the way out to the grid Edge or would some Areas need to be left as Grass/Trees so Characters can walk around on the "Flip Map" without having to sit of the Map..Would it look good?

I think that it would be impossible to design a Map with a Dam that is 24x30 Total design and Somehow have it flooded..in a single picture. Now It would be possible to design one with clues that the Dam is about to burst...Cracks in the Stones, Small piles of Rubble near the cracks and water streams coming out into various squares.

Look at the exsisting Flip Mats..Look at them...look at them

Why I love Campaign Cartographer....I can select the Map Area in this case set it to 24x30 squares (125x150) and when I export it I can chose the DPI separately by simple math. 50 DPI up to 300 DPI buy multiplying the number of Squares by the and the form it gets saved as jpg, png, PDF

[Owen K. C. Stephens]

JPSTOD wrote:

Where, When Did they Release 72DPI as the Offical Scale yet for exported File?

In the Official Rules for round 2.

[Garrett Guillotte]

MS Paint can change the pixel size of the image, which (per the rules) is the most important thing to get right:

The Round 2 Rules wrote:

if you're scaling down a scan of your image, a 24 x 30 inch area translates to 1728 px x 2160 px

Don't fuss over whether or not there's a dpi setting. Just get the image to 1728 pixels x 2160 pixels.

[JPSTOD]

Owen I can't get the link to work, I am getting a Notice that I have requested access to that page to many times to fast.

Garrett Guillotte Some programs may not work that way.
They rules I saw siad you could use any program you wanted..I would have used Campaign Cartographer and first set my Map scale at what Scale I wanted to use..

I could have selected 2.5 foot per 1 inch grid, or 5,10,25,50 etc..
Only after deciding to export do I set my DPI choice..

[Pizza Lord]

If we were to design a mobile location, like a map of a ship or galleon, or some other location that could conceivably be oriented in a different direction, would that need a compass rose? Or would that not be considered location specific?

[Owen K. C. Stephens]

JPSTOD wrote:

Owen I can't get the link to work, I am getting a Notice that I have requested access to that page to many times to fast.

That's because I pasted the wrong thing into my link. :P

Try it now.

[Owen K. C. Stephens]

Pizza Lord wrote:

If we were to design a mobile location, like a map of a ship or galleon, or some other location that could conceivably be oriented in a different direction, would that need a compass rose?

Looking at the Official Rules, I find this:

"Your map must have a compass rose indicating north, and a scale ("one square = 5 feet")."

I'd use that to pick an answer for your question.

[JPSTOD]

Pizza Lord wrote:

If we were to design a mobile location, like a map of a ship or galleon, or some other location that could conceivably be oriented in a different direction, would that need a compass rose?

I would say YES...because the Rules of the Contest requires doing it.

Would someone hold that against you when Voting..I hope not, However if you failed to follow the rules and failed to include it I would judge against you for not following the rules....remember people they are looking for people who will follow their Guidelines, to do what you want. Your not entering the contest to write your own product, your entering in a contest to Write a PAIZO PRODUCT. Your product will represent the Quality of Paizo ...not Blah Blah Publications...If it sucks PAIZO will get blamed for the quality not your Publishing Company.

They always said the Contest is to find someone who can Follow their rules and guidelines, if you can't do that why should you win the Contest?

[Jacob W. Michaels]

Pizza, that should still have a compass rose, per the rules. Orientation doesn't really matter (truthfully, doesn't really matter for most maps as long as everyone using it agrees which way is which) but it should be included nonetheless.

[Chris Shaeffer]

Hi Owen, I just want to reiterate my question from the other day:

Chris Shaeffer wrote:

I glanced through previous questions, but didn't see this one. Let me know if I am being redundant.

The rules calls for a 24x30 grid and for 72 ppi, and says that translates to 1728 x 2160. What it doesn't say is that that is the strict maximum size allowed for the image itself.

My question is: Are we allowed to leave a little breathing room around the sides to keep the grid from going right up to the edge of the image? Just for visual purposes, really.

Thanks!

[JPSTOD]

Okay Finally got the Offical Round two rules to open up

The Rules states the Compass rose must include the Scale 1 inch=5 foot so it is more to indicate thatnot actual orientation ..

Remember folks, some gamers might not be able to lay their Flip map in a direction because of their gaming surface not by large enough...we don't game north all the time :) just by coincidence our table is wider North/South than East/West..so we lay our grid system to fit the table.