Maps

[thoric]

I'm not sure if this topic should be in the Creative Writing sub-forum or the Off Topic sub-forum so if this has been posted at the wrong place then I apologise.

Anyway, I was wondering if any of you might know where I can find a decent map making software on the net for free. So far I've tried working on MSPaint but my artistic skills being what they are, the maps were so pathetic I loathed even setting eyes on them. I guess a software specifically meant for making maps would be easier to use for novices like me. All your help appreciated.

Thoric

[End Master]

This looked neat, but I didn’t see anything about it being for free. There might be some sort of demo/free trial thing though.

http://www.profantasy.com/

[donteatpoop]

Good thinking, Thoric. I used to have a map for Arena, but I don't know where I stuffed it. It made writing it much easier. Now I have to guess at it all, and I'm sure I've fucked some things up. Which means, of course, that I will have to create a new map based on what is in the story so far.

A map thingy would be sweet. Have you searched google? Map generator, or map making, or map program are the keywords I would search for if I wasn't on dial-up right now.

[apotheosis]

This is a perfect time to reveal a teaser of the massive project I'm working on.


This is all you get.


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b355/archbishopjabber/ConflictlessTownPart1.png

I use MS Paint for everything...

[donteatpoop]

I use MS Paint for everything...

Really? I was thinking that was a photoshop creation.

I agree with what apotheosis is saying though, thoric. A map is easy to make and takes no artistic talent. If you are looking for a detailed coastline, just draw a trapaziod and make squiggles of different propotions around it. Trainles are mountains. yellow is desert, green is land, blue is water. A long curving blue line is a river.

A map maker would be cool, though.

[thoric]

Ok I searched for Campaign Cartographer torrent and found one. It seems to be a neat software and if anyone else wants it I'll be glad to send the torrent. More on how it is after I use it.

Thank you all for the help, especially End for the URL. I've been to that place hundreds of times to ogle at the neat screens. And this time it occured to me to just search for a torrent. Wonder why it never occured to me before....

[Dragavan]

Ok I searched for Campaign Cartographer torrent and found one. It seems to be a neat software and if anyone else wants it I'll be glad to send the torrent. More on how it is after I use it.

Which version of CC is it? As they went forward they became more and more like a CAD program and not as easy for the novice to use. They all still work and do a good enough job, but just be warned that they get more detailed but also harder to use as they go forward in versions.

There is also Dundjinni, which is a more tile placement based map maker. It is easier to use but also more limited.

I don't use either, as I find them both annoyingly limited in what they can do, but then I have been using FreeHand, Illustrator, and PhotoShop since high school (not to mention a graphics design degree). I have friends, however, that use both these programs and they love them.

[thoric]

It's CC 2 Pro with all the add-ons. It's 190mb but since there are very few peers the download speed is really low. Should be over in 2-3 hours, just started it.


EDIT- Tried it today. Doesn't seem all that hard. In one hour I have managed to make decent maps. Given a few days I bet I can do some really good work on this program. I'll show you guys a sample of what I've made sometime today.

Thoric

[End Master]

CHEAP ASS MAP

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c50/Phototyrant/GroundZeroMap.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c50/Phototyrant/NecromancerMap.jpg

I'm terrible with directions and distance, hence the reason I tend to avoid specifics with locations in the actual stories.

[JJJ-thebanisher]

Ive been looking for a good map maker as well. It really does make things easier. Unfortunantly I dont want to put a Torrent program on my brand spankin new computer so if theres any other way to get it, it would be massively humungously appreciated.