Hello

[Richardb]

Hello everyone,
I just found the site, and thought I'd sign on. I've been mapmaking for 30 years! I've been using Campaign Cartographer since its inception, and am now on CC3. Over the years I've used Bryce, Mojoworld creator, Dundjinni, Fractal Mapper, and a few others I can't think of. I always come back to CC. The learning curve is steep, but now that I know it thoroughly, I have no desire to learn another.
I am currently working on sheet effects, which are really the big improvement in cc3. I have attached a sample of the same map, using layered sheets and changing the opacity levels of each sheet, I have been able to start achieving more realistic effects.
One sample shows the basic layering of sheets, as you can see, it is stark and the colors just don't contrast. However, when you then make these semi-translucent layered over each other, you can achieve something like the effects of changes from one type of terrain to another. Obviously, you could add a lot of additional layers to increase this effect, but it sucks up a LOT of memory, and there is a memory leak that causes crashes when using sheet effects heavily.

[ravells]

Hi Richard, and welcome to the Guild. There are a number of CC users here (I used to use CC2 a lot but haven't made the move to CC3 yet) and I'm sure you will find much to share with the community.

Nice maps by the way!

Ravs

[Richardb]

Thanks, I should have saved them higher res to increase the visibility of how layering and sheet effects with opacity looks... but hopefully the idea comes across. All in all, just a small section of a new map I started the other night just for the purpose of playing with sheet effects.

[Robbie]

Even though the initial commmunity here was all CC3 users, eventually the other software users showed up and we've picked up quite a great deal of tutorials. One thing we dont' have are CC3 Tutorials...if you ever feel th eneed to work up any tutorials that can't be found anywhere else in regards to CC3, feel free to post it here. Welcome aboard!

[Richardb]

Happy to help out, through the challenge with tutorials is they take a long time and you are never sure if you are answering a question someone actually has
Easier just to answer questions!

What is great about CC3 is its flexibility:
You can do a quick map using symbols and limited layers or sheets.
You can do Forgotten Realms style maps to great effect
You can do detailed bitmap and sheet effects.

Very powerful tool if you put in the time. I've done just about every style under the sun, and will post some examples (and answer any quesitons anyone may have).
Some of the best looking maps with CC3 are the forgotten realms style (no symbols) using new bitmap fill styles IMO.

[pyrandon]

Hi, Richard & thanks for introducing yourself. (I wish more new members would do that!) I am not a CC user, but I know we have many members who are & would appreciate your input. And, more importantly, it's nice to have yet another fan of cartography to share in the maps & mapping enthusiasm of the site! Welcome!

[Richardb]

Thanks pyrandon. Funny thing about cartography... not exactly something to chat about with my friends. When I mention it is a hobby, you'd think I told them I'm into goat porn or something the way they look at me (actually, they might understand that better). My wife calls it my 'nerdy' hobby.
I work on maps most every night, it is relaxing. I've done some maps for some small time authors, and even had some interaction with the founder of the judges guild about using some of my concepts for an expansion of the original wilderlands project at one point. Gave him permission to use anything he wanted from my materials free of charge, and have not heard where their project is, if anywhere, or if any of my stuff made it in to their planning. I've done a few paying jobs, and realized I hate them... I like the creative side, not the work side. Deadlines and meeting the visualization of another person is just not my thing. It is not just the maps, but the world itself that calls to me. Establishing demographics, history, etc, is all part of the fun. I wrote a novel published with a small australian publisher that actually came about purely as an offshoot of cartography and worldbuilding. The world and its history sort of delivered the storyline to me at some point, and I ended up taking it from history to story.

[RPMiller]

As a fellow CC user of many years (not nearly as long as you though) I'm looking forward to your contributions to the community. We need to get more folks over here from the email list so that they can really start showing off the power of a CAD program when it comes to mapping. We have users of other vector programs such as Illustrator as well, and the whole is definitely greater than its parts to be sure.

[Richardb]

I have always been interested in applying a finishing touch to my CC maps with a package like illustrator. However, one thing I've learned is that too much detail kills the usability of the map as much as too little. As much as I've wanted to at times, I've come to realize that a map is a 'concept' and its job is to provide a rapid and easily assimilated overview of what the audience needs to know: geographic, demographic, etc. If you attempt to 'show' everything (every forest, the difference between woods, and wooded grasslands, etc) then you start taking the mystery out of the mix, and overstimulating the viewer. It is a hard mix to master. So, ultimately, I stay away from the use of multiple tools (I admit, I love the looks of some maps that have adobe finishing touches, though). Also, I sort of believe that by really immersing myself into CC3, I can learn all the nuances, and pull every ounce of capabilities it has, and there is a lot it can do that folks may not realize, and I don't realize, until I challenge myself to create a certain effect.

[RobA]

Welcome aboard!

Looking at the flurry of your initial postings, I feel safe saying that you will make a great addition!

-Rob A>

(and 30 years experience makes you a veritable guru compared to us hacks come much more recently to the hobby!)