List of Mapping Software

[RobA]

I've decided to formalize the discussion of software programs, and am starting this sticky thread. Please feel to reply with additions and corrections and I will keep updating the initial post. Eventually, this may become "The Big List of Mapping Software" or even "The Ultimate List of Mapping Software", but we all have to start somewhere

Please help by adding on posts in the following format. The categories are suggestions, feel free to suggest new ones:

Title: XYZ Software
Vendor: XYZ Corp
Web Site: http://www.somecorp.com/
Type: Raster/Vector/Tile Based
Focus: General/Mapping/Fractal/3D
Platform: Windows/Mac/Linux/Web Based
Price: $USD
Description:
Short description, usually from the vendor, though Wikipedia often has good summaries.
Examples:
Links to posts with sample maps using this program. Hopefully posted here, but off site links are OK too. These should be representative of the program's capability. If anyone comes up with better examples, suggest away!

I'm starting by seeding this list with a few, but hope the community will pitch in and do the heavy lifting by adding/correcting. I'll move additions and changes into the list and delete your post unless you indicate Do Not Delete in your post. I'm trying to keep reviews and editorials out of this (at this point at any rate...) Initially, this list will be alphabetical.

[RobA]

The CG List of Mapping Software:

Title: AutoREALM
Vendor: Open Source
Web Site: http://autorealm.sourceforge.net/index.php
Type: Vector
Focus: Mapping
Platform: Windows/Linux(under wine)
Price: Free
Description:
AutoREALM is a Free GNU mapping software (a "cartographer") that can design maps of castles, cities, dungeons and more. AutoREALM is generally used by Role-playing Game practicants who enjoy doing their own maps.
Examples:
Website Gallery

Title: Campaign Cartographer 3
Vendor: ProFantasy Software
Web Site: http://www.profantasy.com/products/cc3.asp
Type: Vector
Focus: Mapping
Platform: Windows
Price: $44.95+USD (MSRP)
Description:
Designed to draw maps for role playing and miniature war games. The cad engine is based on FastCAD, although most of code is written by the publishers. It includes a variety of add-ons (purchased separately or in bundles) for different genres, including fantasy, modern and science fiction.
Examples:
Vendor Gallery

Title: Drawplus X4
Vendor: Serif
Web Site: http://www.serif.com/drawplus/
Type: Vector
Focus: General
Platform: Windows
Price: £79 (approx US$ 150). Earlier versions in gradually scaled down prices (Drawplus 4 is a free download)
Description:
Drawplus is a budget end version of Adobe Illustrator and a popular alternative to it. Serif pride themselves on ease of use and Drawplus excels at this. The serif community forum is helpful if you run into any problems.
Examples:
Deckplan, Map

Title: Dundjinni
Vendor: Dundjinni
Web Site: http://www.dundjinni.com/
Type: Raster
Focus: Mapping
Platform: Windows/Mac
Price: $39.95+USD (MSRP)
Description:
a full-featured fantasy map creation program. It allows users to create walls and floors, place objects, insert text, and more. It boasts an intuitive interface and an impressive selection of objects and textures. Additional object/texture packs are also available for purchase. There is a large active user community exchanging artwork.
Examples:
Vendor Gallery

Title: Dungeonforge
Vendor: None
Web Site: http://www.dungeonmapping.com/df/public_html/
Type: Raster/Tile Based
Focus: Mapping
Platform: Windows
Price: Free (website registration required to download)
Description:
An easy-to-use map creation program for Role Playing Games. Can use any PNG, JPG, BMP art. Multiple layers, Cell size range from 20x20 to 512x512, Maximum world size 1200x1200 cells.
Examples:
Monestary Battlemap

Title: Fractal Mapper 8
Vendor: NBOS Software
Web Site: http://www.nbos.com/products/mapper/mapper.htm
Type: Vector
Focus: Fractal
Platform: Windows
Price: ????
Description:
Features a fast vector graphics engine optimized for fantasy map making. Objects can be individually selected and modified-rotation to any angle, resizing, reshaping, scaled lines, bitmap pattern fills, and variable levels of transparency. In addition, FM features a powerful zooming capability that lets you fill in small map details on continental or even planet-wide maps.
Examples:
Vendor Gallery

Title: Fractal Terrains Pro
Vendor: Profantasy Software LTD
Web Site: http://www.profantasy.com/products/ft.asp
Type: Raster
Focus: Fractal
Platform: Windows
Price:
Description:
Fractal Terrains Pro is ProFantasy's fractal world-generating program. FT Pro lets you create maps using either fractal algorithms, real world data, or from scratch. FT Pro includes height, climate temperature and rainfall information, all of which can be edited. You can add rivers, craters or paint your own climates to customize your world. View your maps in a variety of projections and color schemes and export any view to CC2. Export into JPEG, BMP, VRML, linked HTML, and Spin View. Extensive real world and Mars data is included.
Examples:
http://www.profantasy.com/library/de...roduct=FT&Eg=Y

Title: GIMP (The GNU Image Manipulation Program)
Vendor: Open Source
Web Site: http://www.gimp.org/
Type: Raster
Focus: General
Platform: Windows/Mac/Linux
Price: Free
Description:
A freely distributed piece of software for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. It works on many operating systems, in many languages.
Examples:
Monestary,Overland,Regional

Title: Heavy Metal Map
Vendor: RCW Enterprises
Web Site: http://www.heavymetalpro.com
Type: Hex Tiles/Symbols
Focus: Mapping
Platform: Windows
Price: $27 USD
Description:
Hex based tile mapping program optimized for use in sci-fi mapping, expecially for use in Classic Battle Tech with mechwarriors, incorporates CBT rules sets and tables for use in gaming.
Examples:

Title: Heavy Metal Map
Vendor: RCW Enterprises
Web Site: http://www.heavymetalpro.com
Type: Hex Tiles/Symbols
Focus: Mapping
Platform: Windows
Price: $27 USD
Description:
a Hex based tile mapping program optimized for use in sci-fi mapping, expecially for use in Classic Battle Tech with mechwarriors, incorporates CBT rules sets and tables for use in gaming.
Examples:
(don't have any or know of any, contacted company for this...)

Title: Illustrator CS3 (Adobe Illustrator Creative Suite 3)
Vendor: Adobe
Web Site: http://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator/
Type: Vector
Focus: General
Platform: Windows/Mac
Price: $599USD (MSRP)
Description:
A vector based drawing program that can be used to create sophisticated artwork for virtually any medium. Industry-standard drawing tools, flexible color controls, and professional type controls help you capture your ideas and experiment freely.
Examples:
Pirate Lair

Title: MapX
Vendor: None
Web Site: http://www.dungeonmapping.com/df/public_html/
Type: Raster
Focus: Mapping
Platform: Windows
Price: Free (website registration required to download)
Description:
Was actually the precursor to Dungeonforge. Any size tiles. Supports polygonal rooms, including angled, curved and fractal walls. Also hex grids. It also supports the tile mode that Dungeonforge has.
Examples:
Village,Classic Keep,Classic Tomb

Title: Nendo 4.1
Vendor: Izware (formerly Nichimen)
Web Site: http://www.izware.com
Type: Modeler
Focus: 3D
Platform: Windows
Price: $49 USD
Description:
a subdivisional surface modeler for 3D, one of the fastest s-d surface modelers available, the modeler application from within Mirai, able to export to most 3D formats, for the creation of 3D map objects to be rendered in standard 3D applications and export to PNG format.
Examples:
created the onion domes in October Challenge - Temple Transformation

[RobA]

The CG List of Mapping Software (continued):

Title: PD Particles
Vendor: Project Dogwaffle
Web Site: http://www.thebest3d.com/pdp/
Type: Partical Based (Raster)
Focus: General
Platform: Windows
Price: $19 USD
Description:
particle based paint system called Optipustics, natural FX brushes used to create realistic plant life for use a map-objects in most mapping applications. Uses alpha channels, varying degrees of transparency, includes: mass, gravity, splits, follow mouse, alpha and fades. Can be used as a standalone paint program.
Examples:
(PD Particle tutorial in software discussion category)

Title: RPGMapMaker
Vendor: Francois Menneteau
Web Site: http://fmteau.club.fr/rpgmapmaker/rpgmapmaker.htm
Type: Raster/Tile Based
Focus: Mapping
Platform: Mac
Price: $37,- (through KAGI)
Description:
RPGMapMaker is a tool for drawing maps with polygonal grids. This kind of maps is used in Role Playing Games, but of course can be designed for any other purposes.
Examples:
http://www.cartographersguild.com/at...6&d=1205348942

Title: ViewingDale
Vendor: Viewing Ltd
Web Site: http://www.viewingdale.com
Type: Raster/Symbols
Focus: Mapping
Platform: Windows
Price: £25 boxed, includes worldwide P&P. (~ $49USD)
Description:
ViewingDale is a mapping program, zoom browser for maps and VTT. It maps at no fixed scale meaning that you can have multiple icons or maps on screen at all different scales / resolutions. Grids in square and hex. Maps are created by placing clip-art/images within the map environment handling opaque, cut out and semi transparent icons with grouping
Examples:
Vendor Gallery

Title: Xtreme 3.2
Vendor: Xara LTD / Magix AG
Web Site: http://www.xara.com
Type: Hybrid Raster/Vector
Focus: General
Platform: Windows/Linux
Price: $79 USD / Free Linux version
Description:
This unique hybrid raster/vector application is built on a very fast rendering engine, one of the few apps allowing you to perform post-edits on objects with special effects already applied, powerful transparency, edge feathering, beveling and drop shadows with add-on photoshop plug-ins. Animation and web graphics features round out this all-purpose DTP application.
Examples:
January Challenge - a thousand welcomes, October Challenge - Temple Transformation

------ Not Alphabetized after this point ------

Title: planetgenesis
Vendor: Open source(David Burnett, Did Datta, Colin Paddock(?))
Web Site: http://planetgenesis.sourceforge.net
Type: Raster Based
Focus: Fractal
Platform: java(works on Mac, Windows and presumably Linux)
Price: $0.00 USD
Description:
A noise engine based around a node interface. It has a wide selection of noises including fractals and multifractals(built on straight, ridged and billowy perlin or perlin simplex basis functions), worley noises(a variety of voronoi-based noises), fault noise, and a variety of terrain features and gradients.These can be modified with a number of functions such as absolute, clamp, craterize, scale, sine, logarithm, mask(a threshold function), and even a really disfunctional and slow erosion. These can also be combined using simple arithmetic, exponentiation and a number of distortion methods.
It outputs planar landscapes or spherical planets as 16-bit png or sgi images, povray meshes(slowly), terragen files and YAFRAY landscape meshes.
Examples:
Just about every map by su_liam has some pG in it somewhere, but here is a specific example.

Title: Terraform
Vendor: Open source(Robert Gasch and David Bartold)
Web Site: http://www.firedrake.org/terraform/
Type: Raster Based
Focus: Mapping/Fractal/3D
Platform: X-Windows(works on Mac and, I believe Windows)
Price: free
Description:
Terraform is an open source interactive height field generation and manipulation program, giving you the ability to generate random terrain and transform it. Terraform runs under Linux and other UNIX systems under the X11 Windowing system. It uses the GNOME desktop platform and thus has a (more or less) consistent graphical user interface which doesn't require use of the command line.
Terraform allows you to generate random terrain using a number of algorithms and then selectiveley change the terrain using a variety of transformations. Where possible, the transformations provide a real-time preview, giving you instant feedback on the effect of any parameter changes.
Examples:
None Yet.

Title: YeOldeMapMaker
Vendor: ThinkingImpairedStudios
Web Site: http://www.yeoldemapmaker.com/
Type: Tile Based
Focus: Mapping
Platform: Web Based - Flash App. Flash version 8 required
Price: FREE!
Description:
-Design grid-based (DnD style) RPG maps using premade walls and objects
-Print maps for free directly from your browser. (Maps span two 8.5"x11" sheets of paper)
-Save maps privately or publicly to your account for later use (Free to signup)
-In a rush? Load a public map, edit it to your needs, and print it in a snap
-Public maps can also be saved as new maps under your own account!
Examples:
Check out one of the many public maps from the site!

Title: Wilbur
Vendor: Slayton Software
Web Site: http://www.fracterra.com/software.html
Type: Raster
Focus: Terrain / Height field
Platform: Windows XP or later; 64-bit version available
Price: $0
Description:
It allows an individual to play with terrain data (height fields). It can import data from and export data to many popular file formats. In addition, it allows the data to be modified with a number of image processing operations as well as height field painting tools.
Examples:
Fun With Wilbur

Title: Relief Map Generator
Vendor: Greenfish
Web Site: http://greenfish.extra.hu/downloads.php
Type: Fractal
Focus: Terrain Maps
Platform: Windows
Price: 0$ - FREE
Description:This utility generates random images which resemble real relief maps. The randomized maps contain settlements with random names, hills, plains, lakes and seasides. The program can generate random town names (which are fictious and do not exist anywhere), or pick them randomly from a provided text file. The generated images are public domain and can be used anywhere.
Examples:
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/9051/harta1.jpg

Title: It's full of Stars
Vendor: Claus Børnich
Web Site: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaver...sweb/index.htm
Type: who knows
Focus: Star System maps
Platform: Windows
Price: 0$ - FREE
Description: (From the website) It's Full of Stars is a utility program for creating star maps and solar systems. Using 3D graphics it displays both starmaps and the solar systems with planets and moons in orbit around the star. A quick and easy to use point-and-click interface, room for lots of data, as well as several 3D rendered objects. Animation of orbits, placing of routes, generation of random systems, as well as guides and other functions make this a very useful utility for astronomer, writer and gamer alike.
Examples:http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaver...sweb/index.htm

Title: Ortelius
Vendor: Mapdiva, LLC
Web Site: http://www.mapdiva.com
Type: Vector
Focus: Mapping
Platform: Mac
Price: $99USD STD EDITION
Description:
Ortelius is a map illustration program for Mac OS X. Features specialized cartography tools, hundreds of symbols and styles, feature labeling, scaled drawing, and ability to maintain map attribute data, GIS shapefile import, more.
Examples:
See Website

[RobA]

Another general purpose product I know is used a lot to make map/object art over at the DJ forums is Real-Draw http://www.mediachance.com/realdraw/ but I personally have no experience with it.

-Rob A>

:: Edit ::

3l3phant has produced a comprehensive list at post #140 which I copy and paste below. Thanks 3l3phant!

Here's an updated list of (I think) all of the software in the thread:
Alchemy art software - http://al.chemy.org
ArcGis - http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis
ArtRage - https://www.artrage.com
Astrosynthesis - http://nbos.com/products/astrosynthesis
Aurora toolset - http://www.neverwinternights.info/builders.htm (General Information)
AutoREALM - http://sourceforge.net/projects/autorealm/ Campaign
Blender - http://www.blender.org/
carrara pro 6 - http://www.daz3d.com/carrara-8-5-pro
Cartographer 3 - http://www.profantasy.com/products/cc3.asp Drawplus X4 - http://www.serif.com/drawplus/ Dundjinni - http://www.dundjinni.com
CityEngine - http://www.esri.com/software/cityengine/
CoPan - http://www.underhill.ca/Software/Cop...s/CopanWin.php
DomMap - https://web.archive.org/web/20130228...m3minions.com/
Dungeon Painter Online - http://pyromancers.com/dungeon-painter-online/
DungeonForge - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...dungeon-master (This one seems like a related project but Idon't think it got funded)
DungeonForge/MapX - http://1drv.ms/1Uh9jGJ (Doesn't seem to be available for download)
Fireworks - https://www.adobe.com/products/fireworks.html
Flaming Pear http://www.flamingpear.com/products.html (I love Lunar Cell, Glitterato)
Fractal Mapper - http://www.nbos.com/products/fractal-mapper
Fractal Terrains 3 - https://secure.profantasy.com/products/ft.asp Gimp - http://www.gimp.org
G.Projector - http://www.giss.nasa.gov/tools/gprojector/
G'MIC - http://gmic.eu
GDAL - http://www.gdal.org/index.html
General List of Raster Editors - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compar...aphics_editors
Genetica Viewer and Wood Workshop - http://www.spiralgraphics.biz/index.htm\
GeoServer - http://geoserver.org
Global Mapper - http://www.bluemarblegeo.com/products/global-mapper.php
GRASS - http://grass.osgeo.org
Heavy Metal Map - http://www.heavymetalpro.com/HMMap_Features.htm Adobe
HexoGrapher - http://www.hexographer.com
Illustrator - http://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator.html
ImageSynth - Retired
InkScape - https://inkscape.org/en/
ISIS3 - https://isis.astrogeology.usgs.gov/index.html
It's Full of Stars - https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=73256...B937B6CF%21122
Leveler - http://www.daylongraphics.com/products/leveller.php
MandelBulber - http://www.mandelbulber.com
MathMap - http://www.complang.tuwien.ac.at/schani/mathmap/
MicroDem - http://www.usna.edu/Users/oceano/pgu...m/microdem.htm
Modo - http://www.thefoundry.co.uk/products/modo/ (As far as I can tell it was ImageSynth)
Nendo - http://www.izware.com/nendo/index.htm
OpenLayers - http://openlayers.org
OpenSCAD - http://www.openscad.org
Ortelius - http://www.mapdiva.com
Paint Tool Sai - https://www.systemax.jp/en/sai/
PD Particles - http://www.thebest3d.com/pdp/
PhotoPlus - http://www.serif.com/photoplus/
Planet Genesis - http://planetgenesis.sourceforge.net
PostGIS - http://postgis.refractions.net
QuantamGIS - http://www.qgis.org/en/site/
Radeon Tray Tools - http://www.guru3d.com/article/ati-tray-tools-/
Real Draw - http://www.mediachance.com/realdraw/
Relief Map Generator - http://www.snapfiles.com/get/gfreliefmap.html
RPG MapMaker - http://fmteau.perso.neuf.fr/rpgmapmaker/rpgmapmaker.htm
Terraform (Now available as an Ubuntu package) - http://manpages.ubuntu.com/manpages/...rraform.1.html
Texture Maker - http://www.texturemaker.com/news.php
Tiled - http://sourceforge.net/projects/tiled/
TwistedBrush Pro - http://www.pixarra.com
uDIG - http://udig.refractions.net
Unity Game Engine addon downloads - http://unity3d.com/learn/resources/downloads
ViewingDale - http://www.viewingdale.com
Visio - https://products.office.com/en-us/vi...chart-software
Vue Frontier - VUE Frontier
Wilbur - http://www.fracterra.com/software.html
World Machine - http://www.world-machine.com
WorldSpinner - http://worldspinner.com
Xara Xtreme - http://www.xaraxtreme.org
Xtreme - http://www.xara.com/us/ (?)
YeOlde Map Maker - http://www.yeoldemapmaker.com

[Gamerprinter]

Perhaps we have the makings for a mapping software list, as well as a map object creator list... and perhaps 3D should be on its own list? I'd say the relief mapping tools belong in the mapping software list, however.

I do think its a good idea to create these lists - could provide another asset on the forum, thus bringing in more members... thoughts.

[jimmytempe]

Title: Terraform
Vendor: Open source(Robert Gasch and David Bartold)
Web Site: http://terraform.sourceforge.net
Type: Raster Based
Focus: Mapping/Fractal/3D
Platform: X-Windows(works on Mac and, I believe Windows)
Price: free
Description:
Terraform is an open source interactive height field generation and manipulation program, giving you the ability to generate random terrain and transform it. Terraform runs under Linux and other UNIX systems under the X11 Windowing system. It uses the GNOME desktop platform and thus has a (more or less) consistent graphical user interface which doesn't require use of the command line.
Terraform allows you to generate random terrain using a number of algorithms and then selectiveley change the terrain using a variety of transformations. Where possible, the transformations provide a real-time preview, giving you instant feedback on the effect of any parameter changes.
Examples:
None Yet.


The link above does not exist. I searched the site for Terraform and came up with nada. Not sure if anyone already posted this. If so, sorry.

[jimmytempe]

I guess I spoke too soon on my last post. It turns out a lot of the links for free software are bad. I'm not complaining, just pointing it out. Not sure if the original posts in this thread can be updated. I'm really interested in cartography and was hoping to play around with some of the software and tutorials on this site. Thanks for the info!

[RobA]

I guess I spoke too soon on my last post. It turns out a lot of the links for free software are bad. I'm not complaining, just pointing it out. Not sure if the original posts in this thread can be updated. I'm really interested in cartography and was hoping to play around with some of the software and tutorials on this site. Thanks for the info!

Terraform Home Page

-Rob A>

[3l3phant]

The link above does not exist. I searched the site for Terraform and came up with nada. Not sure if anyone already posted this. If so, sorry.

Looks like it's still an Ubuntu package:
http://fossies.org/linux/privat/terr...src-0.9.5.tgz/

[DavidCapetian]

By the way, I think Heavy Metal Map is listed twice. David.