What types of tools does everyone use to create maps for their campaigns?
I have taken to using pencil and paper and then converting that over to digital using paint. But this feels pretty crude and it doesn't allow too much text editing for conveying key places.
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I make most of my maps in Photoshop using tile sets and other art (decorations/doors/etc.). The snap to grid feature lets me ensure that everything is lined up properly and layers let me rearrange things as I develop the map and come up with other ideas. I can also do some light editing on it to combine or edit tiles to make other geometries not actually present in the base tile set. Photoshop isn't really needed for this, any image program which supports snapping to grid and layers should work just fine as well.
I've also tried out campaign cartographer, but I'm struggling really hard with it and have not been happy about the quality of maps I've made with it. I've seen some beautiful stuff made by other people using the program, but the learning curve is very steep and the included art assets for floors/walls are pretty lacking in visual appeal imo.
If you were intending to go completely digital with this, I would suggest getting some image manipulation software and then downloading some brush packs to let you make terrain features like mountains and forests. This option can be entirely free if you use software like GIMP, and a quick google search will turn up some useful and free brushes.
If you want a simple map maker for indoors or dungeons that's got a no-nonsense aesthetic and an easy-to-use interface, I've found ANAmap to be a useful tool.
I have a feeling that using photoshop/GIMP would be a bit beyond me. I'd probably just stick with my kiddy paint drawings in those cases since I doubt I could produce anything close to pentamore lol
I'll definitely give that inkarnate site a try though, it looks like it produces nice results and I like the grid you have on it.
Thanks for the posts so far! You guys have definitely given me some good ideas
Find an organic shape in nature or series of shapes (I like tree bark personally,) throw them on the ground, and there you have continents. Or regions. Or lakes, or whatever it is you choose they are. then take a picture and trace the digital copy on photoshop and fill in random details.
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Do not expect people to be smart, but do not allow them to be stupid. If there is one thing I have learned it is this.
I used to use the Civalization V map maker for my continents but and overall map and it supplied me with a map. Maybe not a good map, but it was a map with all the information I really needed on it (though inkcarnate seems really cool and I like the looks of it so I might start using it instead).
Normally i look up references for my maps, there are many games out there which serve as a great reference to your own world. But, pencil and paper are in my opinion the way to go for sure! In all honesty, i don't think that the map should look extremely good if you just want to play, i like to let my mind fill in the gaps for me while playing, but the better it looks the better it is, definately.
Inkarnate is great for doing big area maps quickly. It's got a good range of icons which help you set the flavour as well as geography of your world. For more detail I'd recommend pencil and paper. Depends on your style of DMing but I find a map is good for keeping the situation consistent during an encounter and from session to session, but they don't have to be works of art.
On youtube on the How to be a great gm stuff there is a pretty sweet 7 part series on using adobe photoshop for a map, followed it to the letter and I had an awesome map in about 4 hours
I use Campaign Cartographer Plus, which is a fantastic tool - but a little difficult and frustrating to learn. However, once you DO learn it, you can create some pretty spectacular maps. Here are the two that I've done so far:
I use pencil and paper mostly, and then turn it into a pdf with my phone (it looks terrible but I spend most of my time doing the dungeons and details.) If not Inkarnate works
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--Aydini
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What types of tools does everyone use to create maps for their campaigns?
I have taken to using pencil and paper and then converting that over to digital using paint. But this feels pretty crude and it doesn't allow too much text editing for conveying key places.
I am a pen-and-pencil guy.
But when it is possible I download maps from the Dragon+ application, and use them with some adaptations.
I make most of my maps in Photoshop using tile sets and other art (decorations/doors/etc.). The snap to grid feature lets me ensure that everything is lined up properly and layers let me rearrange things as I develop the map and come up with other ideas. I can also do some light editing on it to combine or edit tiles to make other geometries not actually present in the base tile set. Photoshop isn't really needed for this, any image program which supports snapping to grid and layers should work just fine as well.
I've also tried out campaign cartographer, but I'm struggling really hard with it and have not been happy about the quality of maps I've made with it. I've seen some beautiful stuff made by other people using the program, but the learning curve is very steep and the included art assets for floors/walls are pretty lacking in visual appeal imo.
I make mine in photoshop, I use mapping brushes that you can find free on deviantart.com. Then use emboss and glow to make it look fancy.
Made this one for my buddy's campaign
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D&D Beyond StaffI use the site http://www.inkarnate.com which lets me make fancy stuff like:
If you were intending to go completely digital with this, I would suggest getting some image manipulation software and then downloading some brush packs to let you make terrain features like mountains and forests. This option can be entirely free if you use software like GIMP, and a quick google search will turn up some useful and free brushes.
If you want a simple map maker for indoors or dungeons that's got a no-nonsense aesthetic and an easy-to-use interface, I've found ANAmap to be a useful tool.
I have a feeling that using photoshop/GIMP would be a bit beyond me. I'd probably just stick with my kiddy paint drawings in those cases since I doubt I could produce anything close to pentamore lol
I'll definitely give that inkarnate site a try though, it looks like it produces nice results and I like the grid you have on it.
Thanks for the posts so far! You guys have definitely given me some good ideas
Find an organic shape in nature or series of shapes (I like tree bark personally,) throw them on the ground, and there you have continents. Or regions. Or lakes, or whatever it is you choose they are. then take a picture and trace the digital copy on photoshop and fill in random details.
Do not expect people to be smart, but do not allow them to be stupid. If there is one thing I have learned it is this.
That site is cool, I can't wait to use it.
The universe never did make sense; I suspect it was built on government contract. -RAH
It is easier to stay out than get out. -Twain
Being right too soon is socially unacceptable. -RAH
great looking map!
I used to use the Civalization V map maker for my continents but and overall map and it supplied me with a map. Maybe not a good map, but it was a map with all the information I really needed on it (though inkcarnate seems really cool and I like the looks of it so I might start using it instead).
Old Man Moment
Normally i look up references for my maps, there are many games out there which serve as a great reference to your own world. But, pencil and paper are in my opinion the way to go for sure! In all honesty, i don't think that the map should look extremely good if you just want to play, i like to let my mind fill in the gaps for me while playing, but the better it looks the better it is, definately.
Adam Fowke, The rogue half-elf form Faldrin
This is great information! Thanks
Have you checked out the Cartographer’s guild? There are some great tips and tutorials there for making maps.
https://www.cartographersguild.com/content.php
On youtube on the How to be a great gm stuff there is a pretty sweet 7 part series on using adobe photoshop for a map, followed it to the letter and I had an awesome map in about 4 hours
I use Campaign Cartographer Plus, which is a fantastic tool - but a little difficult and frustrating to learn. However, once you DO learn it, you can create some pretty spectacular maps. Here are the two that I've done so far:
What tile sets for photoshop do you recommend?
I use pencil and paper mostly, and then turn it into a pdf with my phone (it looks terrible but I spend most of my time doing the dungeons and details.) If not Inkarnate works
--Aydini