Fractal Mapper 8: Classic Blue TSR-style maps made easy

**Silverleaf** · 11-18-2011, 11:56 AM

Greetings,

I've just put the finishing touches on a pdf tutorial that features Fractal Mapper 8 and my method to create the familiar Classic Blue TSR-Style maps. Hope it helps anyone whose looking for a fairly easy way to recreate that classic look.

A copy of the pdf and the finished product are attached below

Cheers,

Silverleaf

FractalMapper8ClassicBlue.pdf Image1-12b.png

**Mark Oliva** · 11-19-2011, 12:39 AM

Good piece!

**Silverleaf** · 11-19-2011, 01:32 AM

Hiya Mark,

Gotta say your replying to a tutorial of mine is a real pleasure. I adore what you guys are doing at The Vintyri project, especially with the large pdf tutorial and of course all the superb textures. I should probably PM you to ask this question, but do you know if anyone has done a tutorial on creating a Archipelago with Fractal Mapper?

I've been struggling with creating just-under-the-water-features like reefs, sunken islands chains and the like. All the images I've found on Google show them clearly - I'm just not finding a technique to recreate them properly. Some seem to be only a couple feet under water, and close enough to the surface that a person could walk across them if they wanted.

In any case, thanks for your comment.

**Mark Oliva** · 11-20-2011, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Silverleaf

do you know if anyone has done a tutorial on creating a Archipelago with Fractal Mapper?

Sorry. I wish I could help you there, but ...

I've been struggling with creating just-under-the-water-features like reefs, sunken islands chains and the like. All the images I've found on Google show them clearly - I'm just not finding a technique to recreate them properly. Some seem to be only a couple feet under water, and close enough to the surface that a person could walk across them if they wanted.

When I want to put something under water in FM8, I:

1) Put the water onto the map first.

2) Put the object that's supposed to be under water on top of the water.

3) With the intended underwater object marked, I move the transparency slider to the left until I have exactly the underwater effect I'm seeking.

I'm not sure if that will solve your problem, but up until now, it's always given us exactly what we've been seeking.

**Silverleaf** · 11-20-2011, 10:48 AM

Hiya Mark,

Yeah, that is how I was doing it as the transparency trick does work well. What I think I'll do is try a couple levels of transparency to blend in the effect I'm looking for. It seems that a real world Archipelago has varying levels of very close to surface/underwater features. If I have success, I'll be sure to post an update in a thread for you and other Fractal Mapper users.

Thanks for your reply, it really did help.

**Mark Oliva** · 11-21-2011, 06:32 AM

Originally Posted by Silverleaf

What I think I'll do is try a couple levels of transparency to blend in the effect I'm looking for. It seems that a real world Archipelago has varying levels of very close to surface/underwater features. If I have success, I'll be sure to post an update in a thread for you and other Fractal Mapper users.

I think you're on exactly the right road there. I haven't had the need to put things at different underwater depths yet, but that's exactly what I'd do.

Elsewhere, however, I've used this technique quite a bit. Using fill patterns (textures) with feather blurs and varying degrees of transparency can produce all kinds of great results with FM8.

Keep us posted on how you're doing!

**Steel General** · 11-19-2011, 10:35 AM

Brings back memories of my early role-playing days.

**ravells** · 11-19-2011, 11:51 AM

Although I don't use FM myself, I enjoyed the tutorial, and am sure that other FM mappers will find it helpful. Thanks for giving something back to the guild, Silverleaf!