Is there a more efficient way to randomly apply icons to a map?

[Mbgunsling]

ceudoa2_@300ppi.psb_@_28.1%_(MOUNTAINSBetav0.1,_RG_2018-07-01_00-25-05.jpgceudoa2_@300ppi.psb_@_5.61%_(MOUNTAINSBetav0.1,_RG_2018-07-01_00-25-18.png

Hello.
I am currently working on a continental map for a friend. the map pictured here is intended to be incredibly detailed, as many of our campaigns occur in specific regions, and my intent is to make it so that a zoomed view of said regions won't sacrifice detail.
as it stands I have already spent numerous hours manually painting in the mountains and trees in the first image, however as you can see, it probably doesn't even take up 1/16th of the map. while I am interested in finishing the map, there's a constant nagging feeling that this could be done way quicker allowing me to finalise the map sooner.

I have come here to ask; is there a method I could use that could do the following

• Select several different brushes
• randomizethe placement of these brush "stamps"
• minimize overlap of each stamp whils packing them tightly enough to make for a crowded, detailed look
• have some method of neatly ommitting sections for things like text or landmarks

I am currently using Photoshop CC 2018

I am presently looking at the pattern tool in PS but all the tutorials involve the user doing something weird or producing a result that is nowhere near my intent, like lots of overlap. the last one I watched was a guy using PS's 3d tool to explain it (for some reason)

[Hai-Etlik]

I've fiddled around with writing a toolchain for this sort of thing, but I've never gotten it into a form usable by the general public. https://github.com/smithkm/stipple I haven't had time to work on it for a while and the last time I looked at it went of on something of a tangent https://www.cartographersguild.com/s...ad.php?t=26931

I used an earlier version of this idea for https://www.cartographersguild.com/a...chmentid=52614

You could also look at "TreeThing" by another guild member, Ramah, https://www.cartographersguild.com/s...ad.php?t=11361

[Mbgunsling]

I've fiddled around with writing a toolchain for this sort of thing, but I've never gotten it into a form usable by the general public. https://github.com/smithkm/stipple I haven't had time to work on it for a while and the last time I looked at it went of on something of a tangent https://www.cartographersguild.com/s...ad.php?t=26931

I used an earlier version of this idea for https://www.cartographersguild.com/a...chmentid=52614

You could also look at "TreeThing" by another guild member, Ramah, https://www.cartographersguild.com/s...ad.php?t=11361

Thank you so much, I will investigate these, I'm sure I can find something useful.