I had all the text written and lost it because I forgot to hit the "Go advanced" button first. Bummer.
Anyway: hi there! :-)
This is my second "iteration" in Praathamika WIP. Like before, three images: big, east and west. About 1.5MB in total.
I had a few problems with this, and I'd like a little input. In particular, there are two that bother me the most:
- How do you make the text (of territories, rivers, landmarks, whatever) stand out without making a mess? I've tried to put a sort of white shadow around them, but the result is not very convincing. I feel that the answer is just "less is better", and that I should use smaller texts altogether, but maybe you have another opinion.
- I use Gimp, and adjusting a text along a path is a real PITA. Or maybe it's just me. What I do now is the following sequence: draw a path, write a text, make text follow a path, turn path into selection, paint the selection black, remove path and text. Quite convoluted. Am I doing it wrong?
As usual, criticisms and suggestions very welcome. Thanks in advance :-)
My tutorials: Using GIMP to Create an Artistic Regional Map ~ All My Tutorials
My GIMP Scripts: Rotating Brush ~ Gradient from Image ~ Mosaic Tile Helper ~ Random Density Map ~ Subterranean Map Prettier ~ Tapered Stroke Path ~ Random Rotate Floating Layer ~ Batch Image to Pattern ~ Better Seamless Tiles ~ Tile Shuffle ~ Scale Pattern ~ Grid of Guides ~ Fractalize path ~ Label Points
My Maps: Finished Maps ~ Challenge Entries ~ My Portfolio: www.cartocopia.com
I usually bring an unlabeled map into Inkscape as a png file. I then create a new layer in Inkscape for each tipe of labelling (area, city, river, etc) as well as roads and icons, comass rose, etc. I then export out each layer (with the others turned off) as transparent png's and import them into gimp as layers, then add effects. Optionally effects (drop shadow/glows, etc.) could be done in inkscape but I find the filter support still not quite there.
While I have not made a map in a style similar to yours, It should work fine.
-Rob A>
My tutorials: Using GIMP to Create an Artistic Regional Map ~ All My Tutorials
My GIMP Scripts: Rotating Brush ~ Gradient from Image ~ Mosaic Tile Helper ~ Random Density Map ~ Subterranean Map Prettier ~ Tapered Stroke Path ~ Random Rotate Floating Layer ~ Batch Image to Pattern ~ Better Seamless Tiles ~ Tile Shuffle ~ Scale Pattern ~ Grid of Guides ~ Fractalize path ~ Label Points
My Maps: Finished Maps ~ Challenge Entries ~ My Portfolio: www.cartocopia.com