maps in progress

[mathuwm]

I have previously posted these images At EN world.
But
I was hoping to get some ideas and suggestions here.




http://<a href="http://img115.images...t43rq6.jpg</a>

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/c...SageTower3.jpg

For example how detailed should I get?
Is keeping it simple better?

I am using Adobe Illustrator to draw the maps
And Photoshop to tweak them

Any input at all would be appreciated

Thanks

[pyrandon]

Hi, mathuwm, & welcome to our insidious domain of cartographical obsession. Nice to have you here!

I think your maps do a great job of conveying the lay of the land (well, of the dungeon & the tower, to be specific), so you need to change anything unless you are looking for uses other than, say, a GM map to direct your PCs. (I'm assuming these are for an RPG, since you posted over at ENWorld)

Now, if you want to go the next step the sky is the limit. You could do "pull out" maps of specific areas that have very realistic details, for example. But I'd ask yourself why bother. If you like doing that sort of thing, or if you would like it for your players' enjoyment, then do it. But I see nothing wrong with what you have. They're simple, direct, and useful. I myself only put the mega time into my own maps when I want players to see something as I am imagining it, or when I feel like prettifying my maps (which, because I love maps, is usually )

I hope this gave you some food for thought, & if you do revise I hope you will repost here so we can see & enjoy your progress!

Take care

[RobA]

Hi Mathuwm!

I'm with Don in assuming these are DM maps, and not player handout maps (as most player handouts do not have secret doors marked on them )

They look great for that purpose. So really, decide what the purpose of the map is, and go from there! If you will get personal satisfaction from making a hyper-detailed map, then go that way! If not, don't bother, as they are functional and clear.

-Rob A>

[mathuwm]

Thanks for the comments

I am also looking for advice on how to make maps look more professional

Also does anyone know where or if there are any vector line art set of dungeon map symbols

Thanks


here are
a few more maps



http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/1574/minedm9.jpg

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/2...ve3copylm3.jpg


also is this a good way to post maps or should I be doing something else

thanks

[RobA]

is this a good way to post maps or should I be doing something else

You can either upload them here (using the Manage Attachments button at the bottom of the post, ot the little paper clip button in the top toolbar)

or if they are not too big, just hot-link then using the Insert Image button or the following code:

[IMG]http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/1574/minedm9.jpg[/IMG]

But that doesn't work well for images larger than the screen...

-Rob A>

[Robbie]

Attaching them is the best way and the preferred way...sometimes those image hosting sites will delete images that haven't been used or managed over a certain time frame...or sometimes they'll just delete them for no reason. By attaching them through the site, they stay with the site, thus making archived threads more a reality. Plus a lot of those image hosts such as photobucket and imageshack are blocked by a lot of workplaces (mine) so people viewing the site from work wont' be able to see your maps.

[Turgenev]

That's a very nice looking barrow mound crypt. Consider yourself repped.

[mathuwm]

Tower Sketch.png

found a concept sketch of a map i posted a while back

anyone else sketch a map out befor rendering it with DTP software

[ProfGremlin]

anyone else sketch a map out befor rendering it with DTP software

I'm working on one actually for my next map. I took a rubbing of some cracks in the garage floor, scanned it and cleaned it up in Gimp. From there I printed it out so I could have a nice clean land outline to work with. I figured if I had a clear idea of where I wanted the various features to be placed the map would look more cohesive and make better sense.

[mathuwm]

Top.bmp.jpg


better scan of prev post