Hello everyone, I am Xerocode!

[Xerocode]

Hello

My name is Ingus, I am a 27 year old programmer from Latvia. I have some background in GIS (Geographic Information Systems), but I have never worked on creating maps by myself from scratch. No experience with PhotoShop either.

My only attempt until now was using a world generator from donjon.bin.sh and applying cartography brushes I found on deviantart. Extremely basic
Here is how it looks:

island-0.jpg

Why I am interested in cartography? I am working on a game (browser-based, text-based, medieval/fantasy RPG). I want to create a large and interactive full-planet map. Resolution I am looking at now is 8192 x 4096, perhaps double of that. I don't need to create a full map right away, but I want to start working on some assets which I could use in future, for example, small islands.

And I have still to decide about my map style. I have been amazed by different fantasy maps, have grouped some of my favorites in a favorite folder on deviantart:

I am also interested in contributing cartography related programming guides/tutorials, for example:

• Creating interactive (different zoom levels, map markers etc.) web-based maps
• How to apply map file as a texture to a sphere in a web-based application. So, instead of a 2d map, you have a 3d sphere with floating clouds, moons, rotation, option to zoom in etc.

Would something like that be of any use here?

I'm adding a small island I created today (February 20th). I guess it's my second map. Using texture pack from deviantart. My approach was very simple - drawing black land mass, then painting it with textures, and adding water as background. Now it would take me 5 minutes to reproduce a similar map, but it took me a few hours to get this far (figuring our how to add custom brushes and patterns, using masks etc.).

Posting it for reference, so I can track my progress.

island-1.jpg


And map #3 - this is what I got after battling with Tear's Saderan tutorial
It is quite complicated for a complete beginner like me to follow. I will start from scratch tomorrow since I'm not sure where I got wrong - land elevation does not work... I missed something

island-02.jpg

And map #4. This is what I got after finishing Tear's Saderan tutorial. Did not get lost this time
Step5_finished.jpg

I'll probably be studying different tutorials and guides until I create something worthy of being posted in the "Finished Map" section.

Regards,
Xerocode.

[Chick]

Hello Ignus, Welcome to the Guild!

Nice starting work. The Saderan/Atlas style is a very difficult one to start with.

To get you some practice in Photoshop with some easier methods, 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

Those two will be a much easier intro to mapmaking in photoshop.

I'm also interested in web-based interactive maps, but don't know much about creating them. I'll definitely look forward to anything in that area that you contribute here!

[Xerocode]

Thank you I have gone through a few tutorials from that page already.

I'm a bit of a stubborn guy, decided to give Sadoran tutorial another shot today. New day, fresh mind, you know. Posted my result above. I also found your river meandering tutorial... that's a good one. Long road ahead of me, until my maps look reasonable

[darcycardinal]

Thank you I have gone through a few tutorials from that page already.

I'm a bit of a stubborn guy, decided to give Sadoran tutorial another shot today. New day, fresh mind, you know. Posted my result above. I also found your river meandering tutorial... that's a good one. Long road ahead of me, until my maps look reasonable

Welcome to the Guild Xerocode!

Looks like you are off to a great start, can't wait to see more of your work.

Darcy Cardinal

[Chick]

Thank you I have gone through a few tutorials from that page already.

I'm a bit of a stubborn guy, decided to give Sadoran tutorial another shot today. New day, fresh mind, you know. Posted my result above. I also found your river meandering tutorial... that's a good one. Long road ahead of me, until my maps look reasonable

Thanks! And be sure not to miss
How to Get Your Rivers in the Right Place: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=3822

and
The Most Common Reality Errors:
http://www.cartographersguild.com/sh...ad.php?t=30156

Have fun and I'll look forward to seeing your first map post!