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[DethinBlack]

Hello all,
Just thought I would introduce myself. I don't get much into forums, but I also don't get as interested in things as I do Maps. I don't quite understand it, but Hey... It works!

I have had a vague interest in maps for a long time now, and I have just recently realized how completely un-vague that should be. First, though a little about myself? I'm 24, and In the US-navy, Stationed out of Norfolk VA. I'm an RPer, mainly into DnD though I dabble in HERO, and I recently picked up Anima, which looks... interesting. I also play a little Vampire, and other random sundry game products.

Anyway, I only have one Map to share so far. I used mainly techniques from Butch Curry's Fantasy Cartography Video Tutorials. I am looking forward to having more to share, and learning from, as far as I can see, some of the best cartographers around.

Oh, The map that I have is 90% done actually. I haven't done the final touches... missing some text, legend, scale, compass, etc... but I feel I'm not going to get better unless people see my work, and allow for constructive criticism.

Yay!

DB

[Ascension]

Welcome and nice map. You have a lot of patience to do forests like that, good golly.

[Revock]

I'm a former Air Force active duty and Reservist, just joined myself,

[Jykke]

The buildings look a bit too deformed to my taste, because of the bump effect, but otherwise it's a good start Are you planning to do a legend that explains the numbered locations ?

[Immolate]

Welcome Dethinblack. Army brat and USAF '81-'87. Stepson in the USMC who is an Iraq and Afghanistan vet. Thank you for your service.

The first thing that jumps out at me when looking at your map is that there are no fields around the village. I get that fish would be a big part of the local diet, but agriculture is always a part of any settlement where that is possible. In addition, clearing forest is a safety precaution as well. An army can approach a settlement within hailing distance if the woods aren't cut back. This happens naturally in most cases as wood is needed for construction and typically the closest trees are the first to be used--for practical reasons.

Overall though, the map is attractive and nicely designed. There is a certain something that is difficult to define and even harder to teach, but you can tell when it's there. You seem to have it. It is a combination of balance, sense, art, structure, conservatism and daring. Keep it up!

[Alfar]

Welcome. I looked at your map before reading your post, and the first thing I thought was, "hey, that looks like something out of Zombie Nirvana" (That's the Butch Curry tutorials thing) - so I guess you hit that pretty well.

Looks pretty nice, and hey, I just learned something about forests around towns. Cut them back, you say? Will do from now on! Thanks Immolate

[NeonKnight]

Welcome to the Guild!

Love the map, and ALWAYS good to see more CC3 users here

[Steel General]

Welcome Aboard!

Nice little map, look forward to seeing the finished product.

[DethinBlack]

Thank you for the welcome everyone. Its good to have a community with the same feelings for Cartography that I do, whether it be on a lesser, equivilant, or greater scale.

Ascension, Yeah, Even with the pattern it took a great deal of detail work, making sure the forest like looked natural.

Jykke, yes, I am planning on it. That is my first major undertaking on cartography, and I swear I sit in that chair for 8 hours... after breaks for food, bathroom, etc... I have some ideas to make it better, and after I do that Ima load the next draft. Luckily for me Im a good saver! Also, I wasnt sure about them. I think I ran the displacement to hard on the buildings. I still want them to be like that, but maybe not that much

Immolate, I have a problem with leaving large amounts of open space. Its almost a compulsion to fill it with... something, and I am still working on the coloration aspect. I did think about it, and your suggestions will help me. I am thinking about doing another version, and this town is one that I am using in a world that I am building, and i have plans to make it much larger than that. Either way, Thank you for your suggestions, I have already gained alot from this guild, and hope that I can give back to it one day.

[The Good Doctor]

Very nicely done. Larger population centers are driven by economics, including the desire for food. If the area is peaceful, the trees might not be trimmed back, especially if there is a racial or religious aspect to having them close by -- that's something you will have to decide as DM and cartographer.

Good luck from a Navy BRAT.