Latest Map Creation

DaveyB · Post by **DaveyB** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:55 pm

Okay, so I was bored again (sorry, that happens frequently when I'm not working) so I decided to make up a new map for my upcoming D&D campaign. My first island map was done with Campaign Cartographer, but this one is done in Photoshop and is all the better for it. Kinda' sorry I asked for CC for a gift instead of something else seeing how Photoshop handles map-making better than CC3 could ever hope. Anyway, opinions would be appreciated as this is still a long way from done and a work in progress!

Hrolfgar · Post by **Hrolfgar** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:05 am

Looks like a nice start. Does the central lake or sea have rivers flowing out to the ocean in 2 directions ? Tan colored land might have some sort of Eqyptian theme perhaps .

I've been looking at CC3 lately to make a campaign map as my hand drawing skills are underwhelming. I would just get Photoshop but it seems kind of pricey. What makes CC3 inferior to Photoshop.

Relaxo · Post by **Relaxo** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:07 am

I think it's SWEET!

I too love inland seas for some reason I can't articulate.

It looks great.

Omote · Post by **Omote** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:06 am

Love to see home-made maps of homebrew worlds. Keep up the good work!

-O
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Julian Grimm · Post by **Julian Grimm** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:32 am

Nice. Somehow it reminds me of Hyboria.
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Taranthyll · Post by **Taranthyll** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:24 pm

Hrolfgar wrote:
I've been looking at CC3 lately to make a campaign map as my hand drawing skills are underwhelming. I would just get Photoshop but it seems kind of pricey. What makes CC3 inferior to Photoshop.

It isn't, really. While I imagine that someone with advanced Photoshop skills might be able to produce a nicer looking map, most of us aren't up to that skill level. If you are looking for software specifically to make fantasy maps then CC is an excellent choice because:

1. It is purpose-built cartographic software. This means that there is lots of ready-to-use geographical features and cartographic symbols that would all have to be hand-made using non-dedicated software.

2. CC is a LOT cheaper than Photoshop. If all you want is to create maps for your RPG campaign, then Photoshop isn't worth the price.

3. CC comes with an excellent, fully indexed, user's manual that includes a tutorial that walks you, step-by-step through all of the basic features. Photoshop comes with nothing. You'll have to learn to use it on your own.

I've used Campaign Cartographer 2 for many years and I'm really happy with it. I also use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator professionally, but I still prefer CC for my map making - it is faster and easier, and I wouldn't be able to produce as nice a map with Photoshop as I can with CC. Because CC is CAD-based it is different from any other type of drawing program and so is a bit counter-intuitive and takes a bit of getting used to, but once you do it is a very slick and easy system. Its sort of like switching from a normal pocket calculator to a scientific calculator that uses Reverse Polish Notation.

DaveyB · Post by **DaveyB** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:33 pm

Taranthyll wrote:
It isn't, really. While I imagine that someone with advanced Photoshop skills might be able to produce a nicer looking map, most of us aren't up to that skill level. If you are looking for software specifically to make fantasy maps then CC is an excellent choice because:

1. It is purpose-built cartographic software. This means that there is lots of ready-to-use geographical features and cartographic symbols that would all have to be hand-made using non-dedicated software.

2. CC is a LOT cheaper than Photoshop. If all you want is to create maps for your RPG campaign, then Photoshop isn't worth the price.

3. CC comes with an excellent, fully indexed, user's manual that includes a tutorial that walks you, step-by-step through all of the basic features. Photoshop comes with nothing. You'll have to learn to use it on your own.

I've used Campaign Cartographer 2 for many years and I'm really happy with it. I also use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator professionally, but I still prefer CC for my map making - it is faster and easier, and I wouldn't be able to produce as nice a map with Photoshop as I can with CC. Because CC is CAD-based it is different from any other type of drawing program and so is a bit counter-intuitive and takes a bit of getting used to, but once you do it is a very slick and easy system. Its sort of like switching from a normal pocket calculator to a scientific calculator that uses Reverse Polish Notation.

This. Really it just comes down to familiarity and personal preference. For me, Photoshop is the easier of the two to use to make things because it just clicks with me. CC is very much a CAD-based program and as mentioned, some things are done backwards. I agree that once you get the hang of it that it's really easy. Coming from Photoshop to CC wasn't a big learning curve at all except remembering to click "Do It" in the context menus to do things! The area that Photoshop shines in is the amount of filters and effects you can apply to your maps. While CC does have these effects, there's a lot more variety in Photoshop and a cheaper price (usually free).

dachda · Post by **dachda** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:56 pm

Another option is Gimp, the open-source photoshopesque software. There are a fair number of tutorials on the web about how to make maps with gimp. A few are:
http://forum.cartographersguild.com/sho ... php?t=1142
http://www.enworld.org/forum/art-galler ... -gimp.html
http://showmedo.com/videos/series?name=mhE9pn0Xy

Find Gimp for free download at: http://www.gimp.org/

There are plenty of general Gimp tutorials around the web as well. I don't believe it has the number of features and power as photoshop, but it has plenty of juice for making maps, has most of the same features as photoshop and is free. Not quite as intiuitive in its GUI either I believe.
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Hrolfgar · Post by **Hrolfgar** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 1:50 am

Thanks for suggestions Taranthyll, DaveyB, and dachda.

CC being CAD based doesn't completely scare me away from that program. But I will try gimp first free is a nice price.

Hrolfgar · Post by **Hrolfgar** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 1:51 am

an evil double post