Maptools . . best way to build a dungeon?

[Tadhg]

After messing around with maptools and learning some stuff . . I thought it's time to ask you pros about building dungeons.

Is is best to build the dungeon outside of maptools and then bring in the completed map. What progs are recommended. Will MS Paint work OK. I have GIMP, but it's a bit tricky. I don't need the program to be overly functional.

Many thanks for any suggestions!!

[nwelte1]

Large and Highres images are slow to load. I have found that mapping things out in MT is the best method or using a small tile set. MT has a few tile sets build in that you can load. Torstan's tile set is pretty good.

[Rigon]

I build all of my maps in MapTools.

R-

[Tadhg]

Large and Highres images are slow to load. I have found that mapping things out in MT is the best method or using a small tile set. MT has a few tile sets build in that you can load. Torstan's tile set is pretty good.

Thanks. I have Torstan's stuff and I see some useful objects, but not any dungeon floor tiles.

Btw, have you used Dungeonforge's program. I linked there from rptools and remembered that I had an account there from 2006!! Hehe, I created some dungeons/villages and such, but there were on my old compy that died.
Luckily, I have the HD, so I'll have a look at what I have done in the past.
I re-downloaded the prog and I remember some good stuff that you can do.

[Tadhg]

Large and Highres images are slow to load.

Btw, you may have seen our posts re: Rigon's game. We did direct connecting of maptools and maps load extremely fast.

[Tadhg]

I build all of my maps in MapTools.

R-

Thanks.

What do you use for dungeon floor tiles?

[LordSeurek]

Torstan's tile set is pretty good.

What is this? Online site for stuff? If so, link??

[Aramis]

I build all of my maps in MapTools.

R-

Thanks.

What do you use for dungeon floor tiles?

maptools has some textures built in

other than that, many textures can be downloaded here

http://forums.rptools.net/viewtopic.php?t=1156


As for tokens, the dungeonforge objects are a bit crude, but that is what I used. I found those worked well. Or a google search can find stuff

For the actual maps, you don't need to be too fancy. Sometimes, you can just scan the actual paper map and add your textures and tokens to that. Or, if that reveals too many secrets, just a basic cobblestone tile and use the line drawing/box drawing portion of the program and rough it out.

I would not fool around with the light sources and light blocking fanciness unless you really want to do it. It is probably easier to just fog of war every map, and the DM hand reveals each room as people progress.

[Rigon]

I build all of my maps in MapTools.

R-

Thanks.

What do you use for dungeon floor tiles?

I have stone flooring tiles that I found some where. Remind me tuesday and I'll put some up during the game for you to save. Or I can transfer them via Skype.

R-

[nwelte1]

I build all of my maps in MapTools.

R-

Thanks.

What do you use for dungeon floor tiles?

Rhu, what I do is draw the entire map. If I use textures versus wall pieces, I select two textures that I want to use. On the background layer, I draw out the floor plan using one texture. To draw the follow I use the built in drawing tools. If I want walls, then I switch to the object layer, use the pencil tool, set the line width to 25, and then draw out walls in place with no fill. I then switch to the vision blocking tool, cover the entire map with a VB layer, and then cut out the sections I do not want the VB to be present. This prevents gaps in the walls. Then populate with objects and critters. Using this method I was able to get this result: http://s276.photobucket.com/albums/kk40 ... Court4.png . And yes, I was crazy enough to map out all of I6. I also have maps of C&C modules A1-A5 (I think).

If I am using Torstan's set, I select a texture and map the entire floor on the background layer. I then switch to the object layer and lay down the wall pieces of the set. Here is an example and Torstan's complete instructions: http://forums.rptools.net/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=7418.

I do not use pure tiles per se. But I could make small maps and tiles in GIMP or Dundjinni.

If you want a neat tutorial by Torstan (I like his style), check out this link: http://newbiedm.com/2009/11/09/newbiedm ... n-roberts/

[Tadhg]

Guys, thanks very much for all the info, links and suggestions!!

And just to show my appreciation, PCs will be 2nd level rather than 1s (in the soon to be CZ game)!!

[Rigon]

Guys, thanks very much for all the info, links and suggestions!!

And just to show my appreciation, PCs will be 2nd level rather than 1s (in the soon to be CZ game)!!

Schweet!

R-

[LordSeurek]

Guys, thanks very much for all the info, links and suggestions!!

And just to show my appreciation, PCs will be 2nd level rather than 1s (in the soon to be CZ game)!!

Too generous good sir

[Tadhg]

Guys, thanks very much for all the info, links and suggestions!!

And just to show my appreciation, PCs will be 2nd level rather than 1s (in the soon to be CZ game)!!

Too generous good sir

I am, ain't I? Heh, since there are many 4HD creatures in some of the caves, it's the least I can do to ensure your adventuring party doesn't die in the 2nd or 3rd round of combat. So, I expect that y'all will be alive for another 3 rounds or so!!