Let's see who hates me first.

[megabyter5]

Hey everyone. I just joined because I want to make maps for Maptool. I suck at almost everything I do, so I'll probably suck at this too. So if there's anyone who doesn't already hate me, speak up and try to help me.

[NeonKnight]

Welcome aboard. let us know what software you use, and someone can step forward and give some pointers.

And nobody here hates you....yet

[megabyter5]

Oh, right. I mainly use GIMP, but I'm no good at it.

[Robbie]

I hate you...only so I can be the first at...

Just kidding

Once you get done here, you'll suck at everything you do...except mapping.

[megabyter5]

Cool. So where should I start?

[Redrobes]

Cool. So where should I start?

Well I would start by telling Neon that he sucks at gaming with miniatures then tell Arcana that his site sucks and then...

Oh maps...right... well the tutorials are a good place

BTW - welcome. Oh and your welcome to hate me as I write a competing product to MapTool Well hardly competing because its obviously so much better etc etc LOL

[jfrazierjr]

Cool. So where should I start?

Start at the beginning... Check out tutorials here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/forumdisplay.php?f=48

Specifically, start with RobA's GIMP tutorials here:

http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=1142 (10000+ views!!!)

and here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=594

and here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=875

and here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=533

and here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=1048

and here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=874

ummm and here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=1397

Torstan's hand drawn GIMP maps here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=2035

Hapimeses Mountain tutorial (external link to video tut) here (not GIMP specific, but general enough to use almost any software with): http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=1669

These posted by pyrandon (Photoshop, but should be generic enough to do easily in GIMP): http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=547

and here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=1482

and here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=1150

Then after all that, you can look at any others that kind of strike your fancy. It all depends on the style of map you are looking for. Also, be sure to check out the featured maps here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/forumdisplay.php?f=43

And finally, start mapping and post your works in progress using the manage attachments button as as you go. I would suggest an order like this for outdoor maps (regional and world):

• Land and Water (Seas and perhaps lakes)
• Mountains
• Trees
• Rivers
• Towns
• Roads

and post between each session for feedback.

Joe

[Torq]

Man, JFJ. I dont think anyone who asked the question "where do I start?" ever receieved such a comprehensive answer. Over the next 12 years megabyter 5 might hate you now, as he plows through all that material, but I doubt he will hate you when he's been through it. Great choice of starting materials.

Oh, and big welcome Megabyter.

Torq

[ravells]

Likewise! Welcome to the guild, Megabyter - and jfrazier, that's a great list. Might be worth a sticky for people who don't know where to start.

[industrygothica]

Start at the beginning... Check out tutorials here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/forumdisplay.php?f=48

Specifically, start with RobA's GIMP tutorials here:

http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=1142 (10000+ views!!!)

and here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=594

and here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=875

and here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=533

and here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=1048

and here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=874

ummm and here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=1397

Torstan's hand drawn GIMP maps here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=2035

Hapimeses Mountain tutorial (external link to video tut) here (not GIMP specific, but general enough to use almost any software with): http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=1669

These posted by pyrandon (Photoshop, but should be generic enough to do easily in GIMP): http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=547

and here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=1482

and here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=1150

Then after all that, you can look at any others that kind of strike your fancy. It all depends on the style of map you are looking for. Also, be sure to check out the featured maps here: http://www.cartographersguild.com/forumdisplay.php?f=43

And finally, start mapping and post your works in progress using the manage attachments button as as you go. I would suggest an order like this for outdoor maps (regional and world):

• Land and Water (Seas and perhaps lakes)
• Mountains
• Trees
• Rivers
• Towns
• Roads

and post between each session for feedback.

Joe

Good Lord...

I'm repping you for the effort. That's a fantastic list.

-IG