What is the best map making software for a 5e hexcrawl? I have free versions of both inkarnate and hexographer, and I am interested in hex kit. What do you use? What is best if I want to make city maps?
What is the best map making software for a 5e hexcrawl? I have free versions of both inkarnate and hexographer, and I am interested in hex kit. What do you use? What is best if I want to make city maps?
Consider MapForge. It will let create maps from hex-shaped mapping assets, such as these or these. This doesn't require any artistic talent or drawing ability on your part. Just a few minutes of stamping things down.
You could even use an existing sketch or scanned map as a temporary "tracing layer" guide that you stamp the hexes over.
I also use Photoshop. You might want to look into Gimp. Gimp is free and honestly can give Photoshop a run for its money in alot of areas. I have a background in computer graphics and Have spent a good amount of time working with them both. Gimp has come a long ways and can very easy replace Photoshop epically considering that it is free. Similar would be Blender. Though being a 3d program its another good example of a program that can show up most very expensive 3d programs. And it to is free. I kinda think that people are tired of paying/subscribing to over rated software that has been called "the industry standard". There are alot of great artists and hobbyists out there who simply cannot afford these programs because they can be so costly.
I also use Photoshop. You might want to look into Gimp. Gimp is free and honestly can give Photoshop a run for its money in alot of areas. I have a background in computer graphics and Have spent a good amount of time working with them both. Gimp has come a long ways and can very easy replace Photoshop epically considering that it is free. Similar would be Blender. Though being a 3d program its another good example of a program that can show up most very expensive 3d programs. And it to is free. I kinda think that people are tired of paying/subscribing to over rated software that has been called "the industry standard". There are alot of great artists and hobbyists out there who simply cannot afford these programs because they can be so costly.
I also use Photoshop. You might want to look into Gimp. Gimp is free and honestly can give Photoshop a run for its money in alot of areas. I have a background in computer graphics and Have spent a good amount of time working with them both. Gimp has come a long ways and can very easy replace Photoshop epically considering that it is free. Similar would be Blender. Though being a 3d program its another good example of a program that can show up most very expensive 3d programs. And it to is free. I kinda think that people are tired of paying/subscribing to over rated software that has been called "the industry standard". There are alot of great artists and hobbyists out there who simply cannot afford these programs because they can be so costly.
I also use Photoshop. You might want to look into Gimp. Gimp is free and honestly can give Photoshop a run for its money in alot of areas. I have a background in computer graphics and Have spent a good amount of time working with them both. Gimp has come a long ways and can very easy replace Photoshop epically considering that it is free. Similar would be Blender. Though being a 3d program its another good example of a program that can show up most very expensive 3d programs. And it to is free. I kinda think that people are tired of paying/subscribing to over rated software that has been called "the industry standard". There are alot of great artists and hobbyists out there who simply cannot afford these programs because they can be so costly.
Corel Photopaint! :D
Yes Corel is another good option. Has a price tag but nothing like Adobe's bend you over subscription. Corel products are fine products indeed.
Yes Corel is another good option. Has a price tag but nothing like Adobe's bend you over subscription. Corel products are fine products indeed.
I used to use Corel back in the late 90s/early 00s, but then got away from it as I was being given the Adobe suite. But I got the full Corel Suite through an educational special deal a couple of years ago, and I was really happy to see that it had kept up the pace.
I'm not the hugest fan of the fact that no other software seems to be able to open Corel's native files. But you can save out as anything, so that's fine.
I do think Adobe handles layers better, but that's maybe old news. I didn't play around with the layers all that much in the new Suite.
In all seriousness.... pencil and paper, followed by the use of a scanner.
I can put something useful for a game on a piece of paper in about a fifth of the time I spend with a simple tool like Hexographer. I can probably draw and scan the map in just the time Photoshop takes to start up and verify my license. :-)
Unless you enjoy design and graphics, don't sweat making pretty maps, especially if the players are only going to look at them once during one adventure.
Alternatively, buy a map and write the session around it. Sites like DMSGuild have lots of cheap maps and the web is full of free ones. You won't get one that matches what you want, of course, but you'll get one that's close in a very short amount of time.
I never upgraded to adobe cc because of the business model they use. I still use cs6. Mine and payed for.
I wish I hadn't, I don't like the subscription model either. But we get a deal for CC through work, so...click the icon, go make a sandwich while it loads, come back and start working.
What is the best map making software for a 5e hexcrawl? I have free versions of both inkarnate and hexographer, and I am interested in hex kit. What do you use? What is best if I want to make city maps?
If you already have those, what do you like or not like about them? Sounds like you're in a good place to render an opinion yourself! :)
I use photoshop, I found many of the other tools felt a bit limited or were buggy.
Consider MapForge. It will let create maps from hex-shaped mapping assets, such as these or these. This doesn't require any artistic talent or drawing ability on your part. Just a few minutes of stamping things down.
You could even use an existing sketch or scanned map as a temporary "tracing layer" guide that you stamp the hexes over.
For cities, you might want to try this.
I also use Photoshop. You might want to look into Gimp. Gimp is free and honestly can give Photoshop a run for its money in alot of areas. I have a background in computer graphics and Have spent a good amount of time working with them both. Gimp has come a long ways and can very easy replace Photoshop epically considering that it is free. Similar would be Blender. Though being a 3d program its another good example of a program that can show up most very expensive 3d programs. And it to is free. I kinda think that people are tired of paying/subscribing to over rated software that has been called "the industry standard". There are alot of great artists and hobbyists out there who simply cannot afford these programs because they can be so costly.
Corel Photopaint! :D
Looking for new subclasses, spells, magic items, feats, and races? Opinions welcome :)
Yes Corel is another good option. Has a price tag but nothing like Adobe's bend you over subscription. Corel products are fine products indeed.
I used to use Corel back in the late 90s/early 00s, but then got away from it as I was being given the Adobe suite. But I got the full Corel Suite through an educational special deal a couple of years ago, and I was really happy to see that it had kept up the pace.
I'm not the hugest fan of the fact that no other software seems to be able to open Corel's native files. But you can save out as anything, so that's fine.
I do think Adobe handles layers better, but that's maybe old news. I didn't play around with the layers all that much in the new Suite.
Looking for new subclasses, spells, magic items, feats, and races? Opinions welcome :)
In all seriousness.... pencil and paper, followed by the use of a scanner.
I can put something useful for a game on a piece of paper in about a fifth of the time I spend with a simple tool like Hexographer. I can probably draw and scan the map in just the time Photoshop takes to start up and verify my license. :-)
Unless you enjoy design and graphics, don't sweat making pretty maps, especially if the players are only going to look at them once during one adventure.
Alternatively, buy a map and write the session around it. Sites like DMSGuild have lots of cheap maps and the web is full of free ones. You won't get one that matches what you want, of course, but you'll get one that's close in a very short amount of time.
This guy has definitely used Creative Cloud before. A lot of truth in this.
Looking for new subclasses, spells, magic items, feats, and races? Opinions welcome :)
I never upgraded to adobe cc because of the business model they use. I still use cs6. Mine and payed for.
I wish I hadn't, I don't like the subscription model either. But we get a deal for CC through work, so...click the icon, go make a sandwich while it loads, come back and start working.
Looking for new subclasses, spells, magic items, feats, and races? Opinions welcome :)