Thinking Big - Torq's landgrab - choose a territory

[CC_JAR]

And I think it was stated before that there are tons of areas open for city or regional mapping, or even for smaller-scale stuff like buildings or other locations.

If it's a landscape you want, the region of Briar's Cove on my Witchlight Strand map is very much available, and affords the opportunity for multiple city/town locations and a bit of terrain in between. It's not a full-sized map like the others, but you could probably get a good 50 mile square out of it if you tried, if not a bit bigger.

That, and I could really use some help developing the details of the entire region - I've been stagnate with it for a while now.

It's an option - take it if you want it, or there plenty more where that came from.

I like that idea a bit better, of mapping out a smaller region, so would I map a city, or city locations? As you say a city or two, like just how close in of a view is it? Would I map the inner city, or just as a dot/location..

sorry I ask so many questions, I'ld rather know what exactly I'm doing before I do something completely different, you know?

[jfrazierjr]

I like that idea a bit better, of mapping out a smaller region, so would I map a city, or city locations? As you say a city or two, like just how close in of a view is it? Would I map the inner city, or just as a dot/location..

sorry I ask so many questions, I'ld rather know what exactly I'm doing before I do something completely different, you know?

You can do whatever you want as long as the owner of the map is fine with it(in case he/she has already started something). You could do a region within a map which covers several towns/cities/villages or just an entire village, or even a single location such as a ruin/castle/etc.

The real question is.... what type of map are you most comfortable doing (or perhaps on the other end, which would you prefer to get the most improvement.)

[CC_JAR]

You can do whatever you want as long as the owner of the map is fine with it(in case he/she has already started something). You could do a region within a map which covers several towns/cities/villages or just an entire village, or even a single location such as a ruin/castle/etc.

The real question is.... what type of map are you most comfortable doing (or perhaps on the other end, which would you prefer to get the most improvement.)

well, with pen and paper I've done everything from world maps, all the way to building blueprints, so thats fine. but what sucks is that I haven't got a scanner to upload my hand drawns, so I'm left with starting digitally.

Starting digitally, I'ld feel a bit more comfortable on city scale maps or such. not quite ready I feel to take on a continent or country, or even state sized maps. I havent really ever made a map on the computer except for in ms paint, so I think I'ld probley suck at it.

[jfrazierjr]

well, with pen and paper I've done everything from world maps, all the way to building blueprints, so thats fine. but what sucks is that I haven't got a scanner to upload my hand drawns, so I'm left with starting digitally.

Starting digitally, I'ld feel a bit more comfortable on city scale maps or such. not quite ready I feel to take on a continent or country, or even state sized maps. I havent really ever made a map on the computer except for in ms paint, so I think I'ld probley suck at it.

Start a work in Progress thread in the appropriate forum. Unless you already have Photoshop, I suggest going to get GIMP. If you want to try your hand at a city/town/village, go read Pyrandon's tutorial. Even though it was made for Photoshop, pretty much everything can be done in GIMP with some slight changes to the UI. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. This will be a great way to get started with digital cartography.

If you have or can save up enough money to purchase a tablet, I would highly suggest doing so as it will allow you to transfer your handdraw skills directly into a digital medium. You can even find them on ebay or craigslist used for a bargain as many people tend to get better models as their skills improve.

[industrygothica]

well, with pen and paper I've done everything from world maps, all the way to building blueprints, so thats fine. but what sucks is that I haven't got a scanner to upload my hand drawns, so I'm left with starting digitally.

Starting digitally, I'ld feel a bit more comfortable on city scale maps or such. not quite ready I feel to take on a continent or country, or even state sized maps. I havent really ever made a map on the computer except for in ms paint, so I think I'ld probley suck at it.

I think we've all thought that at one time or another. These guys are really good when it comes to beginners; their critiques and willingness to share their technical ability is astounding, and they absolutely refuse to let you leave with an ugly map. All you have to do is be willing to listen and follow advise.

As for the map, you can find the whole map of the Witchlight Strand here. Briar's Cove is just northeast of the center of the map.

I envisioned this area as more of a region than a city, meaning there would be multiple cities within the region. You can start with one city and work out, or with the region as a whole and work inward... or whatever you want, really. With there being multiple cities in the area, it'll give you plenty of room for practice so you can work out your techniques and whatnot; they definitely don't all have to be in the same style.

If you do decide to take on this city, or whatever city, you should start a new thread titled [Region 1][Map 25][Location 2] - Briar's Cove (obviously you'll need to call it something else if you use a different city, but use this format). I'm happy to work out details with you there.

I've attached a small image of the Briar's Cove region. This area is right at 100 miles square and gives you plenty of room to work with. You'll obviously want something much bigger in the end, but this should give you something to start with.

Hope that helps!

[CC_JAR]

Start a work in Progress thread in the appropriate forum. Unless you already have Photoshop, I suggest going to get GIMP. If you want to try your hand at a city/town/village, go read Pyrandon's tutorial. Even though it was made for Photoshop, pretty much everything can be done in GIMP with some slight changes to the UI. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. This will be a great way to get started with digital cartography.

If you have or can save up enough money to purchase a tablet, I would highly suggest doing so as it will allow you to transfer your handdraw skills directly into a digital medium. You can even find them on ebay or craigslist used for a bargain as many people tend to get better models as their skills improve.

I do already have PS CS3 that I got from a friend, though at the moment I have no job, so no money for a tablet. but I'll be sure to check around for one, or at least a cheap scanner.

[CC_JAR]

I think we've all thought that at one time or another. These guys are really good when it comes to beginners; their critiques and willingness to share their technical ability is astounding, and they absolutely refuse to let you leave with an ugly map. All you have to do is be willing to listen and follow advise.

As for the map, you can find the whole map of the Witchlight Strand here. Briar's Cove is just northeast of the center of the map.

I envisioned this area as more of a region than a city, meaning there would be multiple cities within the region. You can start with one city and work out, or with the region as a whole and work inward... or whatever you want, really. With there being multiple cities in the area, it'll give you plenty of room for practice so you can work out your techniques and whatnot; they definitely don't all have to be in the same style.

If you do decide to take on this city, or whatever city, you should start a new thread titled [Region 1][Map 25][Location 2] - Briar's Cove (obviously you'll need to call it something else if you use a different city, but use this format). I'm happy to work out details with you there.

I've attached a small image of the Briar's Cove region. This area is right at 100 miles square and gives you plenty of room to work with. You'll obviously want something much bigger in the end, but this should give you something to start with.

Hope that helps!

I'm not much for scale, though with 100 sq miles I expect there to be 3-4 cities and maybe a small village in that space. I guess I could start off with the village, and work my way out.

I'll have to wait til I get home to start on it though.. at class right now.

edit:
I do have a question though, does anyone know if it's possible to take a picture of a hand drawn map, and get that to work with any success?

[jezelf]

I wouldnt worry about a tablet too much. I have one, but most of my mapping has been done with a mouse.

With regards to a scanner - perhaps your local libarary might provide a service? Some printing shops do as well I'm sure and it shoudn't cost much I would think. If I lived closer I would say post it to me and I'll do it for ya.

[jezelf]

Oh - you could try this website for free local stuff - it's called freecycle.org Ive already given away loads of stuff I didnt want to add to a landfill site. I've seen people asking for laptops and computer bits, cameras you could try a scanner.

It's local network and there are more poping up all the time. There are a number of participating towns in North Carolina - NC, USA - you have to join Yahoo groups first, but you could put in a 'wanted' ad. I guess you'll need access to a car.

might help

jez

[CC_JAR]

Well, I'm SoL on most of those, I live in a small town. no scanner at the library, only a copy machine, no printing shops within 25-50 miles, and I have a car, but my license has been revoked.

but anyways, industrygothica, I have this much done already on Briar's Cove, didn't really know which forum to post it under, so if someone would point me in the right direction?

Oh, and I may need help on the buildings... I suck at buildings, even when hand drawn. any tutorials just on making good looking buildings?