World Map Basics

[RobA]

Here is an example of the pillow emboss (I just used all the blue as a start, so it was applied to the water bodies as well...just pretend it is only on the rivers )

NWsurf_detail.jpg

I made a copy of the rivers as black on white. Applied a 15 px blur.
I then created a new 50% grey layer, and bump mapped this layer using the blurred river copy. Change the blend mode of this layer to overlay.

I also duplicated the overlay layer to emphasize the effect more (but could also have done it by increasing the bump depth when applying the bump map).

This gives the look of a river valley around the river, size determined by the blur amount.

-Rob A>

[Bohunk]

I just want to chime in here with my first post to show you a entire planet using this process. This style is so unique I had to step up and show you. This was done with almost the same settings Torq used, just different seeds and of course the world icon pressed.

[pyrandon]

Cool Bohunk! Nice one!

[Torq]

Thanks RobA. I used your method on the rivers, as you can see, and I'm very happy with the result. Here is the map with some of the details from the history of my campaign.

Torq

[RobA]

No problem! I like that look on rivers myself.

And to critical, the Ezo Tezat text is blurry

-Rob A>

[Midgardsormr]

The rivers appear very smooth in comparison to the coastlines. I can't help thinking of enormous water slides!

The emboss works well, though--this is a beautiful map, and I'm looking forward to further refinements.

[The Cartographist]

No. Seriously. WOW.