List of Mapping Software

[dormouse]

I noticed töff recommend DungeonCrafter3 in another thread.

I think it ought to be noted that DC3 is a barely functional program that has not been developed since 2007. It has a fixed cell size of 72x72, a maximum map size of 15x15 (developers said it slowed down too much with more complex maps) and cannot save, only export.

DC1 was a perfectly functional program, but limited in terms of cell size and the images it could use. DC2 had improved usability but was never finished and a lot of users used both DC1 and DC2 to work on a single map. DC3 was released when it was in a pre-pre-preAlpha stage, had a very minor bug fix and then nothing. DC1 and DC2 (and tilesets) are available from the DC3 website (Legacy section) and are also available on teh Dungeonforge website.

[Osidax]

I'm surprised no-one's mentioned it yet, but you can use the Aurora toolset provided free with NWN to make area maps (Though large-scale overview maps aren't possible, that I've seen). The only problem I've come across with it is that there's no simple way to export a shot of a finished map, apart from upping the screen resolution and hitting "Print Screen" (Or using FRAPS).

If your video card (or whatever it's called) is a Radeon, you should pick up ATI Tray Tools here http://www.guru3d.com/article/ati-tray-tools-/. It has a good number of features, including a great screenshot feature. I've got mine set up to transfer to a folder on my desktop, with the number pad + as the screenshot key. It's really quite useful...

[RPMiller]

If your video card (or whatever it's called) is a Radeon, you should pick up ATI Tray Tools here http://www.guru3d.com/article/ati-tray-tools-/. It has a good number of features, including a great screenshot feature. I've got mine set up to transfer to a folder on my desktop, with the number pad + as the screenshot key. It's really quite useful...

Congrats! You just earned yourself some rep.

[PhotoComix]

I would add MathMap
http://www.complang.tuwien.ac.at/schani/mathmap/

Is free, available as standalone for MAC
Or in Linux and Windows as a Gimp plugin

As the mame indicate is ideal for mapping several mapping filters are included other available here
http://photocomix-resources.devianta...cript-74832004

and for edit equirectangular images here

http://photocomix-resources.devianta...t-2-1-83507321

other filters may be easily created (well "easy" is subjective, let say easier then write a correspondent C code
or Gimp script).

Linux version is much quicker, while the Windows last build
http://photocomix-resources.devianta...ndows-95950939
included the extra scripts quoted above.

[Rhadiel]

Hello, I`m new here!

Personal thoughts on the Greenfish Editor...

Pluses:
- Custom number of towns to be generated on the map
- Custom town names (from a txt file)
- Custom map size
- Custom water/land ratio
- Nice looking terrain
- Cool staff - nice reply to my feedback & suggestions mail.

Cons:
- Early stage of development, some bugs in rendering town names close to edge of map
- Random seed not allowing much customization of terrain shape / type


(no, I`m not an ad bot, I just like this little app )

[Notsonoble]

Welcome!

Now about the app I'm playing with it, it's kinda neat, I wish it'd let you make some adjustments once you've got the random image... I put some names in to a text file for generating a map, and it likes to put some that start with Port in the middle of land areas...

[Rhadiel]

As stated in their reply to my suggestions mail, "Development at GFIE is suspended now but will be continued in about a month." so I`ll keep a close watch on this

[qmslager]

Campaign Cartographer was mentioned but it is important to note that several of their add-ons can be used in multiple mapping programs to place art objects. And their add-on cosmographer is one of the only software programs that can build a galaxy for the sci fi enthusiasts. (If anyone knows of a better sci-fi galxy builder please list it, as I am always up for that challenge)

[jfrazierjr]

Campaign Cartographer was mentioned but it is important to note that several of their add-ons can be used in multiple mapping programs to place art objects. And their add-on cosmographer is one of the only software programs that can build a galaxy for the sci fi enthusiasts. (If anyone knows of a better sci-fi galxy builder please list it, as I am always up for that challenge)

I can't vouch for it's utility since I have never used it, but nbos.com develops and sells AstroSynthesis which has abilities to map and create star systems, including some type of randomizing(as well as scripting) of body creation. I have also heard of several others, including some that are free, but can't remember the names off the top of my head.

[Redrobes]

I think it kind of depends on what you mean by a galaxy map. Isomage is scripting up a Traveller sector map. I did a scripted galaxy part map for the challenge a while back (Aug08 maybe...) and many programs can use tokens and CAD type effects to make galaxy maps by hand. I think there are plenty of options tho if one style of map floats your boat then I reckon that only then is there a 'best' app for it.