New to Digital Cartography? Software General Information

[EvilGinger]

Still learning my way round GIMP 2.8 and very much a beginner I also do the occasional hand drawn map and have it scanned but since most of my maps are done for VTT use on on my gaming blog digital is considerably easier.

I have considered online generators but as I am quite specific in what I need form a given map I would likely end up editing them in GIMP after the event any way.

[The_Listener]

I personally use Photoshop/Illustrator with a Wacom tablet. Sometimes I will use a scanner as well. Never really got into online generators, I like making my own worlds.

[johnvanvliet]

You know, whenever I look at this thread I'm quite surprised by the # of people who scan in handrawn maps.

i can think of one reason

an idea i am thinking of
Arrakis from Dune

these were in the paperback books

http://feyd.rautha.free.fr/Dune/Arrakis%20map%201.jpg
http://feyd.rautha.free.fr/Dune/Arrakis%20map%202.jpg

then using that as a base for a "shape from shade" FFT program ( code i am hacking together )
( heavily edited image , very edited ones )
-- a uncalabrated DEM for the north and south poles

these can then be added into a mix of a few types of fractal 16 bit height maps


you end up with something like this rendering of the south in blender


but this is just something i am playing around with

[Thaenor]

Looking at learning more about using GIMP, Inkscape initially and when finances allow buying CC3 and adding features over time. I have knowledge of Photoshop and Illustrator but don't own them....plus stuck on a 32bit OS at this time so no Adobe CC sub

[MeMeMe]

I use CC3 and FT3 for mapping. I used to do a lot of mapping till about 5 years ago (and was pretty active on the old CC2 mailing list), now I'm getting back into it again.

[Pagan.geist]

I like to demo software, but I agree with Gamerprinter, buy it.

[AtlasNerd]

I tried using InKarnate but wasn't happy with the low-res textures. I downloaded GIMP which has been an amazing program to use. I had zero experience with any image manipulation software(GIMP, photoshop, etc.) and after skimming the instructions and looking through the tutorial section here, I am doing better than I expected.

[AlBQuirky]

Hi! I've been "lurking" here for quite awhile and made a post or two here and there. Thought this may be a good place to ask a question:
I have CC3 and am looking at maybe getting Hexographer. I wondered what people thought about those programs.

My background:
- NOT an artist, in any sense of the word
- I am seeking to create maps for games (D&D specifically).
- I have dabbled in Photoshop (basically creating avatars or resizing downloaded pictures). I did do a little map making in PS (I have version 7).
- I have a manilla folder of all the old maps I hand drew over the past 3 decades.

My "problems":
Hand drawing a map is "easy" for me. I see my idea in my head and my hand kinda sorta does what I tell it to. When I go to use digital software, there is a process between what I see in my head and how to get it onscreen that proves most difficult for me. I realize and understand that this only gets better by actually using the software, but sitting down for hours on end (or spending whole weekends) getting comfy with the program fails when I try. So "ease of use" and "simple learning curve" are the top factors for me.

I'd like to be able scan my old maps in (I do have a scanner/laser printer) and see that others do this, but I really want the "layering ability" that digital software adds.

So far, my biggest hurdle with CC3 is the symbol selections, like mountains, forests, and all that overland stuff. Even the city designer portion seems troublesome for me. I have no clue (I know there are lots of great tutorials here) about how to change the symbols to something I like better. Like I said, not an artist

This is why I am looking at Hexographer. From what I've seen on their site (and the free download trial I have tried), I like the simplicity of a hex with some trees in it or swamps or fields. The "deluxe package" for Hexographer is a little pricey ($75-ish) and so was wondering if it will help me, or just end up like CC3 for me: a struggle to create with.

Thanks

PS: I hope this is the right area and also apologize if this was asked earlier.

[Mouse]

@swiss - if you click on darcycardinal's name it will take you to his profile page. Once there, if you scroll down a bit you will see his albums listed on the left hand side. I think there are several examples there

...

In answer to Ravells's original question at the start of this thread, I started with Campaign Cartographer 3+ and used my previous non-mapping graphics skills in Blender, and Corel to make new symbols for myself to use. I've used Fractal Terrains 3 to generate coastlines, and dabbled briefly in Truspace (that app is really complicated). I also used Vue Pioneer (the free version) to make tree symbols, but abandoned that project when I learned that there were copyright restrictions on what I could do with the images I rendered from the scenes I set up (I would never be able to sell any of my maps if I had wanted to if I had carried on using the Vue trees I had made). All my home made trees these days are either drawn in GIMP or rendered from Blender.

I currently use GIMP and CC3+ in tandem to create most of my maps, but all the software I have ever used remains in my personal toolkit to be used whenever I need them. For example if I need to render a giant soap bubble to symbolise a spherical force field of some kind, I can use Blender to render it, and import it into either GIMP or CC3+ to incorporate it into my map.

Graphics apps are many and varied, but all of them... no matter how fancy or expensive... are only ever the tools in your toolbox. You are the craftsman, and the greatest skill is not about having the whole collection or being an expert in all things, but rather in being an expert in knowing which of the tools that you actually have will give you something closest to the effect you are after, and how to use them together

[Redrobes]

In my opinion, you need a good bitmap editor. Anyone will do so if you have photoshop elements then your good. Gimp is pretty good and free, then there are others, Paint Shop Pro is lite but nice, Krita, etc. All that matters is that you have one which is fairly capable and you get good at it.

Then its a good idea to be able to use a nice vector app like Illustrator or Inkscape because its easier to do some work in a vector app than bitmap app. Text lables - especially ones which flow in curves are very easy in a vector based app. Some apps like Xara do both bitmap and vector and Gimp / Photoshop have some vector parts to them too but personally I dont like Gimps text renderer.

Having a 3D tool is useful. Sketchup is easy but is better for buildings and architectural stuff. Blender is very capable indeed but its a big and complex app with a steep learning curve to the UI. There are loads more like Wings3D, Rhino, etc. But same rule applies in that get used to one and get good at it.

No one app will cover everything you may need. So taking some advice to pick the one which best suits your style and type of art you want to create is worth it. You can look at samples from people and see from their WIP threads what they used.

Finally, dont overlook the trusty pen. Lots of great maps - especially at this "inktober" month show some great stuff with nothing more than some good pens and a skillful hand.