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The Cartographers’ Guild is a forum created by and for map makers and aficionados, a place where every aspect of cartography can be admired, examined, learned, and discussed. Our membership consists of professional designers and artists, hobbyists, and amateurs—all are welcome to join and participate in the quest for cartographic skill and knowledge.
Although we specialize in maps of fictional realms, as commonly used in both novels and games (both tabletop and role-playing), many Guild members are also proficient in historical and contemporary maps. Likewise, we specialize in computer-assisted cartography (such as with GIMP, Adobe apps, Campaign Cartographer, Dundjinni, etc.), although many members here also have interest in maps drafted by hand.
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I doubt I will use this blog much, but as a place to store project notes and ideas I think I shall. Over 30 years ago I developed a campaign world larger than Judges Guild or Greyhawk. Now I am trying to digitize these maps by redrawing them in gimp. No scans allowed! Huge project for just the world is the same size as the Earth, and I am starting there. At the same time (more as a hobby effort) I am writing a book about my efforts to design the world, and digitize ...
Just recently I posted my map on a forum to see what others thought should be changed. I'm going to have to change a lot.... The mountains aren't a big deal. The Rivers however... Wow. That is going to be a big project to do. Also I'm looking for some way to make my map bigger, as to show more detail when zoomed in. This way I can get the most out of every pixel. Well, wish me luck. :\ ...
I thought I'd set out my stall as far as TreeThing is concerned. So... what's the plan? Well, first, a little history. As many old-timers here might know, TreeThing started out as the "Automatic Forest Generator" and was programmed by Fluesopp. It was a very simple program that took a png image and covered the non-transparent areas with trees. He very kindly made it open source and I used this as a springboard to start developing the idea in greater detail ...
Hey there and welcome to Tumbleweed - an empty little part of the web that you are probably the first, and maybe only, person to visit. I'll own up from the start - this will probably be updated infrequently. It is a little known fact (although known very well to my family) that I am an expert at starting things. Finishing them... not so much. But as I doubt there will be hordes of internet users hanging on my every word and desperate to find out what has been happening with me then ...
So, I have uploaded a few maps from my first D&D world. These were free-hand maps, as back in the middle 80s there was no mapping software available. I am in the process of learning Campaign Cartographer 3, and I hope to have something to show you all soon.