Maps and description of mapping techniques and tools used. I mostly use the GIMP with assorted plugins, but other tools do crop up from time to time.
A couple weeks ago there was a conversation about what people use for creating RPG maps. I decided to do a brief rundown of my view of existing software. Available Mapping Software Presented in no particular order, let’s begin. Campaign Cartographer 3 CC3: many people like it, and I admit …
Today GreyKnight tagged me in a G+ post regarding some machine-assisted mapping software by Martin O’Leary (Uncharted Atlas on Twitter). Well, I say ‘machine-assisted’, but it looks like the software does most of the work. It’s also frighteningly close to some ideas I explored about fifteen years ago, but Martin made it work much better than …
I’ve written a couple times recently about simple techniques for drawing mountain ranges. Yesterday I showed how I draw the basic landforms, and on Sunday I showed how I manipulate them to relieve monotonous elements and make them look better to me. Under normal circumstances I would have presented the material …
On Sunday I posted a tutorial on a technique I use when drawing mountains. This tutorial focused on a specific set of techniques used to cause a frighteningly boring mountain range — in this case, several parallel ‘ranges’ that were completely straight, uniformly straight, and parallel. They demonstrated how to …
On G+ I saw a map that I quite liked, but there was a mountain range on it that seemed too perfect. The ridge line of the range was very clean, with a couple sections that were quite straight (and at almost right angles), and another that followed a smooth …
Jonathan Roberts of Fantastic Maps (who worked on a little thing I linked to on the right) is working on a hex mapping web application. This morning I got access to it and put together a little map. Quickly. Pretty easily. There are some interface improvements to come, but overall I’m excited about …
I’ve done a lot of writing this month, I figured I’d knock off a little map quickly in GIMP and call it a day. This one is a little experimental. For determining landforms I usually use a technique where I draw the general shape, then overlay some noise and select …
There are many ways to present campaign maps. Depending on the purpose, different map styles can be more appropriate than others. Seekers of Lore is going to be very much a sandbox campaign, with a great deal of exploration. There are two primary map styles I am considering. Artistic Maps …
GreyKnight asked for some sample tiles that show ‘nonlinear features’, so I’ve done up three tiles. Sample Cave Tiles I decided to do cave tiles because it was quick and easy (draw some squiggles, floodfill them, and call it done). Drawing with a mouse sucks. Tile 1: Simple Cave This …
I recently had this blog added to the RPG Blog Alliance (there’s even a wee banner in the links section); I won’t insult anyone by describing what it is. This aggregator has shown me a slew of blogs I wasn’t aware of and I’ve found some articles that greatly interested …