List of Mapping Software

[novice42]

You should mention carrara pro 6, too, since it is now very cheap (around € 20). You only have to buy Les Pardew: Figures, Characters, and Avatars; 2009. Its an introduction to DAZ Studio. The book in itself isn't important but it comes with a CD that has the full version of Carrara 6 Pro (and Hexagon 2) on it. You only need to ask for a (free) serial at the help desk of daz 3d. Great deal for a few bucks!

Carrara is a bit slow at rendering but has a nice 3d modeller and especially a fine terrain editor and great plant editor.

[ravells]

Carrera pro is going for 20 Euros??? The last time I looked at it on the Daz website is was about $200 or so. I'm going to check this out now....thanks!

Edit: novice42 - could you check this link on Amazon UK please and tell if you think this has the disk with the 'free' Carrera Pro? It's not mentioned in any of the blurb so far as I can see. Many thanks!

Ravs

[novice42]

Hi ravells,

yes, exactly. You need to proove the purchase of the book and you need a free account at daz3d. As proof its enough to mail a scan of the invoice. http://forum.daz3d.com/viewtopic.php?p=1824683#1824683 has some more info.

[ravells]

Thanks novice! I'll check it out!

[Midgardsormr]

The Dungeoncrafter III web page has been hijacked by a virus. If you need to get to the software, the download page at http://www.dungeoncrafter3.com/download.php is still working.

There's no telling if the issue will get fixed, since Dungeoncrafter has not been updated in two years, and I couldn't reach the Shard Games web page, either.

[jester1966]

I once created a large fantasy 3d-like map with Painter 7 (which is a few years ago - Painter 11 is the current version) so despite its rather high price I think it should be mentioned, too:
http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satelli...3#tabview=tab0

I have not tried ArtRage for a map yet, but this one is similar to Painter but much cheaper. More info can be found here:

http://www.artrage.com/

jester

[Servant Of Thor]

Might some one have a download link, or the file to "it's full of stars" the webpage doesn't exist any more...

[Edi]

A lot of the software links in this thread are dead (all geocities links for example).

One obscure tool for creating random maps is the Dominions 2 map creating program DomMap 2.17. Currently you can get that from here, but there is no telling when that site ceases to exist, since Dominions 2 is a very old game. I may host the files myself later just to preserve them. The program itself is free and can be used as a base for creating landmass shapes, but it will require extensive editing to get anywhere.


Instructions on how to use this utility: Read the documentation that comes with it. I recommend using the following color code switches to produce a visually pleasing map where you can immediately see what's what:
Plains: dcbe9b (220, 190, 155)
Sea: 87afcc (135, 175, 204)
Tundra: dcebf0 (220, 235, 240)
Swamp: 969673 (150, 150, 115)
Forest: 3c733c (60, 115, 60)
Farm: d2dc73 (210, 220, 115) OR bed282 (190, 210, 130), whichever you like, but I think d2dc73 is slightly better.
Mountain: 7d5019 (125, 80, 25)
Waste: e6b473 (230, 180, 115, bit more faded) or e6b464 (230, 180, 100, brighter) both are relatively good
Landborder: cd3200 (205, 50, 0)
Seaborder: 414187 (65, 65, 135)

If you want maps with few borders, just set the number of provinces to a very low number (one sea, one land). If you want maps with ready-made borders for kingdoms, principalities, states and whatnot, pick the number you want and the program will do that for you.

The program produces the maps in .tga bitmap format, and also produces a .map file (specific to the game Dominions 2: The Ascension Wars). The map file is readable in any text editor, and contains the random seed number for the map. Running the program with the same seed value will always produce the same map, so you can write the number down for maps you like and fiddle with the color settings if you want to try something else.

[Antheon]

As far as I've seen, the only geocities-link in RobAs list is 'It's full of stars' which really is hard to find. In addition to that, the links to Greenfish Relief Map Maker and Terraform are dead. I'm going to host those files on my site (just waiting for the subdomain to be activated). I'm now recreating the 'It's full of stars' site, I'll give you the link as soon as I'm finished. If you want it, that is ... : )


Antheon
looking for information about ifos

[Antheon]

Please, excuse the double post but here are some "updates" to Robs list ... I will just add changes since the last update and post a "new" list probably this weekend. Enough talk, here we go ...

Serif Drawplus: New version (X4) available. In addition, I was not able to find that free version.
Fractal Mapper 8.0: The prices are US $20/34.95/39.95 (Upgrade/Download/CD)
Fractal Terrains Pro: The description text looks out of date to me as there is CC2 mentioned. Shouldn't there be CC3?
Heavy Metal Map: I may be wrong but can it be that you have a duplicate of this entry right after the first one? The prices are US $29/37 (PayPal/Register now).
Illustrator: CS5 (Adobe Illustrator Creative Suite 5) now, price: US $199/599 (Upgrade/Buy)
Nendo: At their site I could only find Nendo 1.5 ... weird ...
RPGMapMaker: If you want to buy the software you have to open the link in a new tab/window. Otherwise, the site will open inside that frame ... (personal note: $15,000 for the world-wide license?! *speechless*)
ViewingDale: The price is £17.50 now
Xara Xtreme: Latest version is Pro 5 for US $299 ($199 for people having another graphic software or something like that ...)
Terraform: The link is broken. See below for further information.
Greenfish Relief Map Generator: The link is broken. See below for further information.
It's full of Stars: The link is broken. See below for further information.
Roleplaying City Map Generator: Not mentioned here, I guess, but it doesn't really matter because the site's down too. See below for further information

For those who are searching for I'ts full of stars and other software not available anymore:
I searched for those programs and collected them in my Skydrive Public folder. You can find it here. But be careful as I'm going to move them to my site this weekend, together with a longer software list. But for today I'm tired ... it's midnight here, so my bed is calling *laughs*


Antheon
sleepy as always