I use PhotoShop to create maps on a 1-inch grid, then have them printed as 20x30 posters at Walgreen's. It's easy, relatively cheap (given I only need one major map every several sessions), and the result is absolutely beautiful.
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PBP "Beregost Blues" - Dungeon Master of Gnome Slaying +5
I use these two video(s) to use Gimp (open source photoshop) to create beautiful fantasy maps for my campaigns. IMO as someone who isn't artistic you can really encapsulate exactly what you want/imagine this way it only took a few hours to really get a hang of it.
Alternatively I purchased a 4 foot by 8 foot (very large) panel board (white board without a frame/lamination) and measured out a 1in grid system. This is equivalent to about 2 in game acres. What I do is use dry erase markers and draw out the dungeon as the characters explore it. I utilize a system of tokens made with 1 inch washers, and furniture pads, a 1 inch punch and card stock to create player and creature tokens on the cheap. I have hundred of tokens I made for like 20 bucks. So this is a cheap way to have new players come in and really jump right into dungeoneering!
EDIT:
ALSO! I use good old fashion graph paper to outline all the dungeon stuff before hand along with online random generators. The graph paper is cheap, dry erase is cheap, and I think the panel board only coast like 12 bucks or something. A pack of like 100 1 inch furniture pads runs for like 10 bucks and you can pull images online and create 1 in tokens in GIMP and print them out in sheets. I reference the graph paper and I have my own short hand for stuff like traps, hidden treasure, encounters and more. We migrate from the table and our PC's (which have our sheets/rulebooks) to the whiteboard which I have laid out on a beer pong table.
For the campaign I played I rarely used the maps.. and when I did they were some original squared ones. We used them just at the start.. but I liked it.
I have played with tons of sources, digital and traditional. From whiteboard to taped together 8.5x11 sheets to full table sized maps. In the last 3 months I have begun the transition to a digital table. I built a coffee table around an old tv a friend was throwing away. So I have the tv connected to my DM pc and use it to display maps that I have found online or created using www.pyromancers.com. After hearing so many good things about roll20 I attempted to use it but found the interface difficult to manage across 2 screens at once. Plus being a browser interface it was harder to keep organized. I also tested fantasy grounds but found it to be not much better unless you bought the digital expansions. I am now testing d20pro and I feel it succeeds where roll20 failed. Being a downloaded software it leaves my web browser free to search the web for odd rules answers or images pertaining to the story at hand. It is really great to drop a 50" image of a zombie beholder onto the playing surface without worrying if you are going to kill the battlemat if you close the window incorrectly. While d20pro requires some extra tweaking to make it work with 5e, (seems it was built around 3.5) I really like the battle grid toggle. Allowing me to use a map as an image then once initiative starts toggle on the battle grid for tactical play.
Do you print them from online? If so how do you make sure that they are scaled correctly? Do you hand draw them on tiled paper? Where do you buy you paper?
Do you have any suggestions for a new DM in an even newer group about creating/using maps?
My husband does a lot of hand drawing of maps, so we have a large dry erase mat that we use for all of our games.
I use PhotoShop to create maps on a 1-inch grid, then have them printed as 20x30 posters at Walgreen's. It's easy, relatively cheap (given I only need one major map every several sessions), and the result is absolutely beautiful.
Had my cell phone in my basement gaming space, so I figured I'd get a picture to show an example result:
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PBP "Beregost Blues" - Dungeon Master of Gnome Slaying +5
We're doing our own book on Kickstarter! It's going to be amazing--300 pages, art, and so much high quality content you'll be drownin' in it... Click here to check it out and sign-up!
I use this for almost everything. I especially like to print out 2 copies of the map one as a player copy and one master dm copy with all the monsters,traps,treasure and notables marked then when we roll initiative I use battle tiles to get a sense of the room and positions of players ,monsters and cover
I use a square/hex mat for combats that will need some strategy and planning. I use Theatre of the Mind for standard things. I honestly wish I had the disposable income to throw at 3d terrain and dungeon tiles such as the Dwarven Forge stuff. I always envy the gaming tables that have these things...really awesome stuff.
For area maps I use Campaign Cartographer 3+ along with it's many add-ons. These are usually printed out on A3 or A4 paper and used as hand-outs.
I bought a lot of dungeon tiles, but honestly, I find a wet erase battlemat the best to use. I got some multi color markers at office depot so I can draw terrain (green trees, blue water, red fire/lava). I can draw anything I want, and I finally let go of my obsession with exactly reproducing maps from modules. If I have prep time, I may draw out some really detailed maps on large, wall chart graph paper (again, check office supply places).
I use PhotoShop to create maps on a 1-inch grid, then have them printed as 20x30 posters at Walgreen's. It's easy, relatively cheap (given I only need one major map every several sessions), and the result is absolutely beautiful.
Had my cell phone in my basement gaming space, so I figured I'd get a picture to show an example result:
Some gift wrapping paper companies have started printing a 1" grid on the back side, so you could in theory make an endless scroll map from that too. I've done it once, and it's a bit cheaper than some of the gaming paper out there for quantity. Lately, I've use a PF bigger basic flip-mat with stuff pre-drawn on both sides for larger combat sessions. I want to get into 3d printing and try my hand at printing terrain tiles like those from Fat Dragon Games...
I use PhotoShop to create maps on a 1-inch grid, then have them printed as 20x30 posters at Walgreen's. It's easy, relatively cheap (given I only need one major map every several sessions), and the result is absolutely beautiful.
Had my cell phone in my basement gaming space, so I figured I'd get a picture to show an example result:
I have never used or owned photoshop. What do you recommend? Should I buy a cheaper version of it or the full package or something else? I only plan on using it for map making i think.
As a publisher and producer of all sorts of content, personally, I subscribe to the entire Adobe Creative suite. At $50 a month, in my opinion, it's a bargain. Last I checked, you can get PhotoShop stand-alone for $10 a month, which not only gives you access to software that formerly sold for $600-700, but keeps you updated with the latest version at all times.
All told, when you do the math on the final value, I don't think a "cheaper option" really exists unless you want to use a free / open source product.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PBP "Beregost Blues" - Dungeon Master of Gnome Slaying +5
I use PhotoShop to create maps on a 1-inch grid, then have them printed as 20x30 posters at Walgreen's. It's easy, relatively cheap (given I only need one major map every several sessions), and the result is absolutely beautiful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qUFyy00Haw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLmOpEETjEo
I use these two video(s) to use Gimp (open source photoshop) to create beautiful fantasy maps for my campaigns. IMO as someone who isn't artistic you can really encapsulate exactly what you want/imagine this way it only took a few hours to really get a hang of it.
Alternatively I purchased a 4 foot by 8 foot (very large) panel board (white board without a frame/lamination) and measured out a 1in grid system. This is equivalent to about 2 in game acres. What I do is use dry erase markers and draw out the dungeon as the characters explore it. I utilize a system of tokens made with 1 inch washers, and furniture pads, a 1 inch punch and card stock to create player and creature tokens on the cheap. I have hundred of tokens I made for like 20 bucks. So this is a cheap way to have new players come in and really jump right into dungeoneering!
EDIT:
ALSO! I use good old fashion graph paper to outline all the dungeon stuff before hand along with online random generators. The graph paper is cheap, dry erase is cheap, and I think the panel board only coast like 12 bucks or something. A pack of like 100 1 inch furniture pads runs for like 10 bucks and you can pull images online and create 1 in tokens in GIMP and print them out in sheets. I reference the graph paper and I have my own short hand for stuff like traps, hidden treasure, encounters and more. We migrate from the table and our PC's (which have our sheets/rulebooks) to the whiteboard which I have laid out on a beer pong table.
― Steven Erikson, Memories of Ice
For the campaign I played I rarely used the maps.. and when I did they were some original squared ones. We used them just at the start.. but I liked it.
Not exactly maps, but still great thing for enviroment and more:
Index Cards!
At least watch the video, which explains what exactly it is.
I have played with tons of sources, digital and traditional. From whiteboard to taped together 8.5x11 sheets to full table sized maps. In the last 3 months I have begun the transition to a digital table. I built a coffee table around an old tv a friend was throwing away. So I have the tv connected to my DM pc and use it to display maps that I have found online or created using www.pyromancers.com. After hearing so many good things about roll20 I attempted to use it but found the interface difficult to manage across 2 screens at once. Plus being a browser interface it was harder to keep organized. I also tested fantasy grounds but found it to be not much better unless you bought the digital expansions. I am now testing d20pro and I feel it succeeds where roll20 failed. Being a downloaded software it leaves my web browser free to search the web for odd rules answers or images pertaining to the story at hand. It is really great to drop a 50" image of a zombie beholder onto the playing surface without worrying if you are going to kill the battlemat if you close the window incorrectly. While d20pro requires some extra tweaking to make it work with 5e, (seems it was built around 3.5) I really like the battle grid toggle. Allowing me to use a map as an image then once initiative starts toggle on the battle grid for tactical play.
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InsidersA dwarf with a canoe on his back? What could go wrong?
That's a lot nicer than I'd expect.
manysideddice.com
+ A Table of Contents That's Better Than Nothing (hundreds of creative, storied items that are "better than nothing")
+ A Table of Contents To Worry Your Players With (dozens of weird, storied traps to make your players nervous)
We're doing our own book on Kickstarter! It's going to be amazing--300 pages, art, and so much high quality content you'll be drownin' in it... Click here to check it out and sign-up!
https://donjon.bin.sh/
I use this for almost everything. I especially like to print out 2 copies of the map one as a player copy and one master dm copy with all the monsters,traps,treasure and notables marked then when we roll initiative I use battle tiles to get a sense of the room and positions of players ,monsters and cover
I use a square/hex mat for combats that will need some strategy and planning. I use Theatre of the Mind for standard things. I honestly wish I had the disposable income to throw at 3d terrain and dungeon tiles such as the Dwarven Forge stuff. I always envy the gaming tables that have these things...really awesome stuff.
For area maps I use Campaign Cartographer 3+ along with it's many add-ons. These are usually printed out on A3 or A4 paper and used as hand-outs.
I bought a lot of dungeon tiles, but honestly, I find a wet erase battlemat the best to use. I got some multi color markers at office depot so I can draw terrain (green trees, blue water, red fire/lava). I can draw anything I want, and I finally let go of my obsession with exactly reproducing maps from modules. If I have prep time, I may draw out some really detailed maps on large, wall chart graph paper (again, check office supply places).
geek dad with 3 geek kids
Some gift wrapping paper companies have started printing a 1" grid on the back side, so you could in theory make an endless scroll map from that too. I've done it once, and it's a bit cheaper than some of the gaming paper out there for quantity. Lately, I've use a PF bigger basic flip-mat with stuff pre-drawn on both sides for larger combat sessions. I want to get into 3d printing and try my hand at printing terrain tiles like those from Fat Dragon Games...
I use mats and 2.5D walls i made after watching The DMs Craft
That's pretty amazing!
JT " You will find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view."
That looks pretty cool!
As a publisher and producer of all sorts of content, personally, I subscribe to the entire Adobe Creative suite. At $50 a month, in my opinion, it's a bargain. Last I checked, you can get PhotoShop stand-alone for $10 a month, which not only gives you access to software that formerly sold for $600-700, but keeps you updated with the latest version at all times.
All told, when you do the math on the final value, I don't think a "cheaper option" really exists unless you want to use a free / open source product.