Fractal Mapper Map Conversion

[Blakey]

Hello all you experts!

I have been building a fantasy world. the World of Rodinia, for about 10 years now. Ever since I began building it I have been using Fractal Mapper by NBOS to make the maps. Even after 10 years I'm a complete numpty when it comes to map making, hence asking for help here.

My world is one great big map in FM8 and if I want to work on a given country I simply zoom into that country and work on it. I often take snap shots of a given country and output to a JPG file which I then upload to my web site and add an HTML map to so that you can use it to browse a map of the country and hot spots will appear to allow you to bring up entries in the 'gazetteer' for that particular place. This works best viewed in IE, but here is an example link: http://www.rodinia.info/map.php?id=4. It's a neat idea and I'm very happy with the way the gazetteer works in general.

However as you can see from the above link, my maps suck.

What I would like to do is to take my existing map and convert all the icons on the map which represent forests, mountains, hills, swamps etc and convert them to textures which I can simply overlay where the terrain is currently. So I'd get a good looking 'mountains texture' and just draw a shape where my mountain range is to be and then delete all the stupid mountain icons I currently have on the map in that location. I think that will make a much neater, smarter looking map. I also want to replace all the town and city icons I'm using with simpler black dots and squares and so on. In fact I'm aiming more for a style of map like this one of Elsir Vale that some professional drew.

This is going to be a HUGE undertaking as my FM* map is massive as you might appreciate. So I'm after a bit of advice if there are any FM8 experts out there.

1. Do you think this is a sensible approach?
2. Can you point me in the direction of cool textures I can use for mountains, forests, etc?
3. Is there any way to automate this process at all?

Many thanks all
Blakey

[Redrobes]

Hi Blakey, I am no expert with FM8 but I make maps like what your describing with the zoom into region to show more detail. Personally I have gone for the realistic satellite type of map because when you zoom in you are still looking at something realistic wheras when zooming onto a mountain icon eventually you are into black and white lines of the mountain side which is not much use. So I think your plan is a good one.

Where to get textures ? Well we have the resources topic in the forum which lists many places but I would suggest CGTextures which is a free signup.

The "some professional" is Mike Schley who posts here. In fact he has a new map post here from a day or so ago so check out his work. I love Mikes work but I think is does not lend itself to the type of map that is easy to navigate by zoom.

In terms of automation I don't know. I doubt it but have a chat with Mark Oliva who seems to know FM8 very well.

[Mark Oliva]

1. Do you think this is a sensible approach?

Definitely.

2. Can you point me in the direction of cool textures I can use for mountains, forests, etc?

Redrobes already recommended CGTextures (http://www.cgtextures.com). However, carefully read the FAQ and make sure that your usage is within the scope of the CGT license.

You also can do a search for anything that you want on the Dundjinni forums. Go to http://www.dundjinni.com/forums/forum_topics.asp?FID=8.

You'll find a lot more free stuff at http://www.rpgmapshare.com/ and http://www.greytale.com.

For all of these sites, you need to set FM8 to scale them correctly. You also can download a wide collection of open gaming, open source fills already set for FM8 from our website. Go to http://www.vintyri.com/vintyri/vccindex.htm.

If you don't know how to set FM8 to scale the other fills correctly, download our free, 200+ page PDF raster mapping tutorial, also from http://www.vintyri.com/vintyri/vccindex.htm

3. Is there any way to automate this process at all?

I don't think so. But if you want to be sure, send an inquiry to Ed Diana at support2@nbos.com

[Blakey]

Guys,

Thanks heaps for your help and the gazillion links! I'm going to make a start on this. I think it might take me another 10 years to convert my map though!

Cheers
Blakey