Hello all,

I am new here and would like to introduce myself along with my current project. My alias here is Nautilus and I have recently started trying to make maps again after a long hiatus. My current worldbuilding project is still in its early stages. It is a tidally locked earth-like planet. This means the same side always faces the sun. So you have a desert directly below the sun, a twilight strip that's habitable and then a dark side covered by ice.

I am mapping using a trifecta of VP planet generator (https://toolslib.net/downloads/viewd...anetgenerator/), GIMP and Wilbur. I use VPPG because i makes o.k. heightmaps, allows for a great deal of flexibility and most importantly, I can zoom into the map or seed to an arbitrarily deep level and use the zoom levels for regional maps. This ensures consistency in the maps, which is extremely important to me.

I want to use shaded relief heavily because I love the way it looks. The maps are just tests of style and technique, the geography is just a placeholder.
The reason I'm posting here is to get feedback on the techniques and to discuss shaded relief in general and in world maps in particular. My main problem is the amount of detail. Obviously features have to be exaggerated extremely in order to be visible on a world map. I have attached a map prototype, please let me know what you think and what your workflow and advice is if use shaded relief.
Maptest3.png
I am looking forward to any answers! Please use this thread to discuss shaded relief tips in general if you want, I am very eager to learn something new. Same goes for Wilbur, still learning that as well.