New to Digital Cartography? Software General Information

[jfrazierjr]

Then I went into writing seriously. Right now, I'm working on a multiple galaxy universe, and I'm trying to create a workable image of my space/time continuum (that's a harder ball of wax and I'll probably figure it out later), and then for regular mapping, I'm looking mostly to do artistic, somewhat realistic overland maps.

Take a look at out last challenge (Nov) as there are tons of space maps, most made either in GIMP or Photoshop.

I could do maps of ships and buildings and there are a handful of them that I ought to do, but I'm worried it will take too much time. There is one city map I desperately need to do, but I'm not very attracted to the add-on prices of Campaign Cartographer, especially since I know CorelDraw is vector (not sure what PhotoPaint is), but I know nothing at all about CAD.

I looked at Dundjinni for the style I like, but it doesn't do overlands too well, and that's my main requirement. I looked at Fractal Mapper, CC3, Inkscape, Bryce, etc. but all of them have that learning curve. And maybe I'll need to pick one, but I'm kind of hoping...

PhotoPaint is raster based on what I found last night in the web. As I said, a lot of it is all about features, BUT I have seen someone do a very nice map in MSPaint that comes with Windows, so skill also plays into it. If you decide to go try another software, I would highly encorage you to give GIMP(rastor)/Inkscape(vector) a try since they are both free and there are a large number of mapping tutorials here as well as general tutorials on the web. Since you say you have a City map to do...try the this tutorial. It may be for photoshop, but many(not all) of the techniques are adaptable to GIMP and other applications and those that are not can usually be faked somehow. Create a new Work in Progress thread in the appropriate forum to post up your work and we have plenty of people who will try to help you. And if you have found any reference work post a link to it so we can get an idea of what you are going for if needed.

[aiRo25]

Thanks everybody!

Yeah, I had two threads because I signed up to post here and didn't notice I was supposed to introduce myself until the next day when I checked my email.

I think I'm going to be a busy camper with all these resources!

My brain's starting to compute too. I'm starting to figure out how to work with symbols in PPaint and textures. You guys really are the best.

I think I'm going to hold off on the work in progress until I have something I'm sure I want to work on.

[ravells]

i was amazed at the number of professional agencies that use Xara and Drawplus over traditional Adobe / Corel products.

[lucho]

I checked Gimp and Fractal Terrain, even though I don't use either one as much as most. I still prefer the Morgensen fractal generator; it's plenty flexible if you can get used to the lack of an interface (command line only).

[Gamerprinter]

Just to let you know, Waldronate, who mentioned trying Fractal Terrains Pro and Wilbur, is the actual developer to those applications. Might be good to try them out, Wilbur is free by the way.

GP

[Nomadic]

Found this and felt like piping in. I have used quite a number of applications over the years. Right now I am really getting into Photoshop. I have had CS for a couple years and it is amazing what you can do with it. I have also played with GIMP a bit and found that in most things Photoshop is a bit easier to use (not better, just easier). GIMP does have an incredibly capable cloud noise generator (very useful for mapping).

There is one question that I have though. I really need a good city mapping software and I am really liking the look of City Designer. Of course it requires Campaign Cartographer 3 as well. So then my questions are... what is the cheapest I can hope to get those two for (and can I get just those two by themselves as I have no use for the others... well other than the dungeon mapper maybe)? Also, how hard would it be to learn (I do have some CAD experience)?

[Gandwarf]

There is one question that I have though. I really need a good city mapping software and I am really liking the look of City Designer. Of course it requires Campaign Cartographer 3 as well. So then my questions are... what is the cheapest I can hope to get those two for (and can I get just those two by themselves as I have no use for the others... well other than the dungeon mapper maybe)? Also, how hard would it be to learn (I do have some CAD experience)?

Indeed, for prices check the website. Profantasy maintains a money-back guarantee if you don't like your purchase, even for the digital download.

You can get just CC3 and CD3. I first purchased CC3. Then Dungeon Designer 3 came out and I purchased that one. And last year CD3 came out and I purchased that. So I have CC3 and two addons, but you could have only CC3 with CD3. DD3 is really only necessary if you want to map buildings or dungeons.

CC3/CD3 has a learning curve and I had to teach myself to use the software. But it's the same with other software, like Photoshop. There's some excellent video tutorials for CC3 and DD3 that will teach you at least the basics (those weren't around when I started using the software!). And if you have any questions about CD3 you can always ask on this forum.

One thing I want to stress: you can use CC3/CD3 right from the start to create maps. It's really that easy and its the biggest compliment I can give this software. To master it however you will need to practice a lot.

That's the big difference between CD3 and Photoshop for example. With no skills in CD3 I could still use it to crank out a decent looking village. With no skills in Photoshop I would crank out a VERY poor looking map.
I think if you are very good in software like Photoshop or Gimp you can make more unique looking maps of course, but to master software like that.....

[RPMiller]

For the price check the website.
Yes, you can get just those two.
If you have experience with CAD already it should be really easy since that seems to be the biggest hurdle to most people. (The "reverse" method of doing things)

[Midgardsormr]

And if you do decide to buy, don't forget to use the affiliate link on the front page of this site!

[GM Smiles]

And if you do decide to buy, don't forget to use the affiliate link on the front page of this site!

Talk about thread necromancy! I know that this was posted back in 2009 but I'm considering updating my old CC2 software, and if there is an affiliate link for Profantasy (couldn't find it on the home page of the website), I'd be happy to use it.

Can anybody fill me in? Is this affiliate programme still running?