Catching the Pathfinder bug + a degree in architecture makes me want to make maps

[TheHumanJester]

Hello

I be Jester. I recently played Pathfinder for the first time (first table top game I have played) and absolutely loved. Jester the bard has just started his adventure and has already caused two bows to explode, got swindled and then got everyone in a city killed trying to swindle back the item he got swindled for.

But while we were playing I was interested in the flip mat we were using. They looked rather cool and it gave me the idea to try making some myself. I liked how they looked but the layout of the environments were a bit basic. I actually did a degree in Architecture at uni so I have a lot of experience with drawing out plans which I think could help me a load with making some mats. I already have a idea swimming round in my head for a mansion interior .

Though these days I do prefer hand drawing over computer based. Mainly as I always struggled with graphic tablets (also lost the pen for mine) and no longer have access to the programs I used while at uni. I mainly used autocad but I lost my copy of that when my old laptop died. So I am interested in a few different methods of map creation. Specially some tips on making maps digitally.

But that's why I am here . I hope to talk to some people here. As a person I am pretty layed back though considerably weird. I have a large love for video games (Specially JRPGS like Persona), Sci-fi, books/ manga, anime and stand up comedy (did a bit a few years ago).

So Hi people

[Chick]

Hello Jester! Welcome to the Guild!

To get you started, there is a great tutorial in the sticky section of Tutorials, called
Quickstart Guide to Fantasy Mapping: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=4276

From there, go to
Hand Drawn Mapping for the Artistically Challenged: http://www.cartographersguild.com/sh...ad.php?t=10655

Once you have completed those two tutorials, you'll be well on your way!!

[Korash]

Howdy Jester, Welcome to The Guild, The mappiest Place on the Web

I haven't known too many architects who couldn't look at a 2D drawing and picture it in 3D through the mind's eye, so yeah, I think your schooling just might come in handy

Chick has given you some great links for getting started with mapping, by hand or digitally. Follow those and you will be well on your way.

[TheHumanJester]

Thanks for the links . I am giving Gimp a go now. Just doing a simple tavern to begin with so I can get to grips with it. Getting a bit confused thanks to the differences between it and photoshop. But I am getting there. I have also chosen something square so I can get away without much free hand stuff. Without a graphic tablet it would be challenging.

[Vhey]

If you're more familiar with photoshop, Adobe is offering CS2 full version for free from their website.

[TheHumanJester]

Oh I didn't know that thanks . I might have a look at that later. Though I am starting to get to grips with Gimp fairly quickly. My main confusion comes from when things appear in a completely different place than they did on photoshop. It took me a minute or two to find the opacity bar haha

But this is proving to be fun haha. Found some nice textures that i like the look of which is nice too. Though once I get more familiar with stuff I would like to make my own.