4 Map Styles

[Sigurd]

This is such a great resource for maps! Thanks everyone.


These are 4 maps I have made in Photoshop CS2

Misty Coastline
http://wm23.inbox.com/thumbs/b_9fabb...b_oJ.jpg.thumb

Modern
http://wm23.inbox.com/thumbs/9_9fabd...2_oP.png.thumb

Cartoony
http://wm23.inbox.com/thumbs/d_9fab9...2_oP.png.thumb

Google Textures
http://wm23.inbox.com/thumbs/f_9fab7...e_oP.png.thumb


I'd love some constructive criticism. Which would you like\not like etc...

I'm trying to do the honest thing and map the whole world, then zoom in on the used part of it. Its extra work but I think it lends huge realism.
I've discovered, for me, issues with trying to render whole continents - Islands seem to work much better.

Does anyone have their favourite steps for rendering conentinents in Photohops CS2?

- Sigurd

[su_liam]

Good work there, mate.

Some comments and criticism. 'Cause everyone just hates to hear, "That's very nice...," <crickets>.

Misty Coastline: I can't say as I like the shiny Beveling on the edge of the water. It only seems to emphasize that the rest is actually flat. The oceans look like they are filled with reefs and shoals to the point of unnavigability. This might be the desired effect.

Modern: I personally don't care for the gradient on the water, but that's just me. Some of the rivers seem to be going up and down hills, and one looks like it's connecting two oceans.

Cartoony: My favorite. The ocean texture would look good in a non-cartoony venue if the gradation were a little more subtle and less saturated, and if a bit less posterized. I love the forest texture. It looks great on an island or small region, but would probably not work so well on the scale of a continent.

Google Textures: Could you explain what you mean by, "Google Textures?" Colors are kind of, "Brrr, cold." I really like the subtle, folded topography.

[Sigurd]

Guess its really the reverse .

I copied and pasted bits of Google satellite images of the Hebrides and then merged them with my island outline. Gave me all the cold colours but, unfortunately, pasted them with no real reaction to geography.

Its an experiment to use real world satellite colours.


Thanks for the comments.


- Sigurd

[pyrandon]

I'll back up su_liam that "Cartoony" is my favorite. The filter use is a bit heavy for my taste, but as a general look I like this one the most--plus I think it has the most potential. Thanks for posting!

[Sigurd]

I still don't know how to remove the white spots but at least I think I've figured out how to not create them.

This is a new model.

Now I have to get the water right and play with the colours on the textures.


http://wm23.inbox.com/thumbs/12_9fab...8_oP.png.thumb

Much Better,


I love it when you get around something.



This is a JPG with some work on the ocean... _some_ of the blend problems are png based.

http://wm23.inbox.com/thumbs/13_9fab...a_oJ.jpg.thumb

And some of the painting made more neutral.

http://wm23.inbox.com/thumbs/14_9fab...c_oJ.jpg.thumb

[alucard339]

I like your last map, but maybe you should try a blend in your ocean levels, cause they should be gradual and not so define (my eyes got stick on them too often).

I like your forests in the cartoon map. It's missing something, but you are definitely on the right track.

You should try to put cartoon forest on your last map and try using the same coastline blue dissolve sea from the cartoon map too. Also don't forget to find a filter to do a slight blend of the deep ocean floor.

Also the white coastline is not a good idea, try using a dark version of the ground color instead. It should still put definition on the landmass without getting too much attention to itself.

Take care & continue the good work,
Alu.

[Sigurd]

I've touched up the first island. I'm switching from Photoshop to Painter for the touch ups.

Here's the first island - took forever but its the first.

http://wm23.inbox.com/thumbs/16_9fab...c_oJ.jpg.thumb


Its the little one at 12 o'clock.

http://wm23.inbox.com/thumbs/17_9faa...8_oJ.jpg.thumb

Thanks for looking.

-Sigurd

[pyrandon]

That looks very good. I think the greens are a bit too saturated, so I would suggest toning them down just a tad. Also, I wonder if the black coast outlines from the original now are too much; they jar the realism of the painting and contours. Otherwise, I like it!

[Sigurd]

This is the current state of things. I have to look at real islands to understand what I should be painting on them.

http://wm23.inbox.com/thumbs/18_9faa...4_oJ.jpg.thumb

Its got a tiny light blue surf line painted over pixel artifacts from removing the black.


- Sigurd