I always used Dundjinni, but have to use GIMP until my laptop is fixed. I have an Ubuntu laptop and Macbook, but I only have the PC version of Dundjinni.
Raster (bought) [e.g. Photoshop, PaintShopPro, Painter]
Raster (free) [e.g. GIMP]
Vector (bought) [e.g. Illustrator, Corel Draw, Xara]
Vector (free) [e.g. Inkscape]
Vector (Symbol driven) [e.g. CC, Dunjinni]
Online Generator [e.g. City Map Generator, Fractal World Generator]
Fractal Generator [e.g. Fractal Terrains]
3d modelling [e.g. Bryce, Vue Infinite, Blender]
Scanned hand drawn maps
Drawing Tablet and pen [e.g. Wacom]
Well, since I got a bit more involved in mapmaking since I first answered the poll, I guess I´ll have to list a bit of the software i use.
Nowadays I mostly play around with CC3, tryng to learn it, and unlocking the power inherent in it, but I still rely on Raster software like GIMP for some things in post-CC .
The software I use is more dependent on what type of map I am (attempting) to make, so I change software pretty frequently (always up for new suggestions).
But my most Important tool is my Wacom drawing tablet, giving me a lot more precision than a mouse.
I always used Dundjinni, but have to use GIMP until my laptop is fixed. I have an Ubuntu laptop and Macbook, but I only have the PC version of Dundjinni.
Try Dundjinni under Wine for Ubuntu. I was really surprised with how much works with it. Since Dundjinni is all GDI based it really ought to work real well. Cant think of a reason why it wouldnt.
I currently use Photoshop CS3, sometimes in conjunction with hand-scanned images. But when I make my maps, I usually just keep the ideas in my head and invent on the fly.
Started with Paint, then Microsoft PowerPoint (yes, really), and then found AutoRealm, which I only used a couple times and just didn't like. Got turned on to Dundjinni 5 or 6 years ago and used that exclusively for a couple years, then started to do post-Dundjinni work in GIMP (which I initially used just for photo retouching), and now use GIMP almost exclusively.
I used to use a mouse. Then I got a Bamboo Fun for Christmas, which I used for almost a year before my toddler got a hold of the pen and broke it. Desktop's in storage, so I'm relegated to my netbook (temporary housing necessity) and the touchpad, which sucks, or a mouse if I can swipe my wife's from time to time. I will gladly purchase another Bamboo when I can scrape the money together.
You can buy a replacement pen instead of having to buy an entirely new tablet: http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-EP150E-B...363031&sr=1-12
Bryan Ray, visual effects artist
http://www.bryanray.name
I use Adobe Photo shop as well as gimp.
I use GIMP, i also trying to learn blender.
I fiddle with google sketchup, but i can't seem to get the hang of it.
Most of my writing is done in Open office, as are most of my covers.
My current thread, Developing a plausible and functional system for Fantasy Economics in an rpg.
I rely on Adobe Photoshop Element 5.0
And graph paper.
In space...no one can hear you whine...
Help me make more maps!
Check out http://rptools.net/
This is by far the most comprehensive campaign-building suite I've ever seen (and it's free!!!). It's ridiculously easy to use and there's even a tutorials website with video. There's even tools for managing initiative, tokens and dice-rolling (if you have people who are convinced that "their dice are cursed" as we sometimes do). It even functions as a server you can remote into so if you have sick friends that don't want to leave the house, they can connect in and play along from the couch at home.