I am gearing up to DM our next campaign, Descent into Avernus and one thing that has come up is the use of maps. Before, I have just shown the map to the players or sent out a group text with the map depictions. However, between my campaigns one of my friends has been doing Curse of Strahd out of the physical book and it included a physical map of Barovia. I loved it. The other players loved it and I'm now feeling under more pressure to provide some source of permanent map displayability for sake of ongoing storytelling so everyone has a sense where we are. Granted, I know going into Avernus is not going to be a great campaign for mapping options, so I'm not overly concerned with it this go round. Though, something may still be nice to have. The question remains:
How does everyone get around the map issue? I have seen comments about Roll20 for this feature and using a spare TV, which I do have. However, I also don't want to spend the time on making a table to set the TV into for a map surface...if that's what other people do? Mainly because I'm not that crafty, nor do I own all the tools necessary for such kind of adventure. lol. But, seriously, I think having maps displayed on the table is a serious thing my players will want and expect from here on out. Mainly for being such a hit that everyone gathers around intermittently during our CoS sessions.
Also, if using a TV for display options, how would I make the TV display only the map and not everything I'm DM'ing from?
Okay, so I've been playing with this since my post in hopes to figure something out myself... and apparently, there isn't any way to pull content from Beyond to share with players. I sincerely don't want the players to flip open the adventure book to see the pictures and any included maps. I see there is some way to post public notes in the campaign setting, but without a way to copy a link or image from the site to paste there...I'm wondering how to engage this as a feature. Best I have come up with thus far is to screenshot and crop from the mobile app. So, apparently the TV display option for a map is completely out of the question as high-resolution image of worthwhile quality would never happen from a copy/paste job. The main problem is that only half the group even have DDB, so even if I can share it there, being able to offload the map to another source like a tv or tablet is becoming something of an issue for me to figure out.
I just get the feeling I'm doing something completely wrong here. Or, missing something. If it helps, I use all Apple/Mac/IOS devices.
Embarrassingly, I had to research how to open tabs in a new tab/window as I wasn't sure how to right click using my laptop. lol. But, I got it. Thank you for the assist!
I'm going to test out sharing for the map of Baldur's gate via the example you gave: Baldur's Gate.
Awesome. Seems to work.
Okay...any input on making a secondary screen off a laptop? I honestly don't know where to start on this one.
Use a hdmi or displayport cable from yourlaptop to the second screen/tv. (Or older connections if that's what you got)
On windows you can press windows key + p (for projector) to toggle between "mirror", "extended" or "off" to choose if you want to mirror your main screen or extent it. Or rightclick on the desktop and look for screensettings.
Normaly the second screen is on "the right side". So you should see your mouse if you move it to the right side on your main screen.
I only have my phone atm.. otherwise i would give you some screenshots. Sorry. But you seem able to use Google ;)
I HDMI to the TV in the Living Room we setup in and set the TV as an extended Desktop. Then I just be sure to not accidentally drag any of my campaign notes over to the TV and only leave a separate browser window with the map I've created over on the extended desktop. Another perk is by playing music on the laptop for the campaign setting it plays through the TV speakers which allows for more of an immersive sound than just coming out of my laptop speakers.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
May your rolls be crits and your sessions be frequent
You guys gave me a GREAT launching point. Unfortunately, I have no HDMI ports on my MacBook Pro. Not sure if that's a typically standard feature or not. It is a few years old, so...who knows? I have USB ports so there may be a way to do a cable connection. However! I came across a very Mac specific answer in that my phone can connect to my Apple TV to mirror image...my laptop can do that also, but has the option to extend desktop as you guys both mentioned! I just tested it out and I can keep all my DM tools on my main screen and just fill up the new window with all the maps, images, etc that I need for my players. Awesome! Now, I need to purchase another Apple TV to stay on the spare TV. This is going to work.
Thanks for the pointers! It actually helped a LOT. I am so relieved that I can still share all this with my players now.
You guys gave me a GREAT launching point. Unfortunately, I have no HDMI ports on my MacBook Pro. Not sure if that's a typically standard feature or not. It is a few years old, so...who knows? I have USB ports so there may be a way to do a cable connection. However! I came across a very Mac specific answer in that my phone can connect to my Apple TV to mirror image...my laptop can do that also, but has the option to extend desktop as you guys both mentioned! I just tested it out and I can keep all my DM tools on my main screen and just fill up the new window with all the maps, images, etc that I need for my players. Awesome! Now, I need to purchase another Apple TV to stay on the spare TV. This is going to work.
Thanks for the pointers! It actually helped a LOT. I am so relieved that I can still share all this with my players now.
glad to hear it!!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
May your rolls be crits and your sessions be frequent
You guys gave me a GREAT launching point. Unfortunately, I have no HDMI ports on my MacBook Pro. Not sure if that's a typically standard feature or not. It is a few years old, so...who knows? I have USB ports so there may be a way to do a cable connection. However! I came across a very Mac specific answer in that my phone can connect to my Apple TV to mirror image...my laptop can do that also, but has the option to extend desktop as you guys both mentioned! I just tested it out and I can keep all my DM tools on my main screen and just fill up the new window with all the maps, images, etc that I need for my players. Awesome! Now, I need to purchase another Apple TV to stay on the spare TV. This is going to work.
Thanks for the pointers! It actually helped a LOT. I am so relieved that I can still share all this with my players now.
I have a MacBook Pro, you can buy a usbC adaptor that has a hdmi out port. Below is a link to an example on UK Amazon to see what I mean. This will save the expense of buying a second Apple TV
Print key persistent maps poster size (staples) and laminate with clear, texture free cupboard lining from home Depot so players and I can mark it up and it’s still reusable.
I'm starting a Prisoner 13 adventure. When I go to maps, I only see the basic ones. I'm all the tutorials I've seen, there is a tap under the basic maps for the adventures. How do I get access to that
See, this is the issue I am currently trying to fix. I am in a small apartment and am trying to use a TV for the spectator/players and my laptop for the actual DM'ing map and whatnot. Can not seem to get it working.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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I am gearing up to DM our next campaign, Descent into Avernus and one thing that has come up is the use of maps. Before, I have just shown the map to the players or sent out a group text with the map depictions. However, between my campaigns one of my friends has been doing Curse of Strahd out of the physical book and it included a physical map of Barovia. I loved it. The other players loved it and I'm now feeling under more pressure to provide some source of permanent map displayability for sake of ongoing storytelling so everyone has a sense where we are. Granted, I know going into Avernus is not going to be a great campaign for mapping options, so I'm not overly concerned with it this go round. Though, something may still be nice to have. The question remains:
How does everyone get around the map issue? I have seen comments about Roll20 for this feature and using a spare TV, which I do have. However, I also don't want to spend the time on making a table to set the TV into for a map surface...if that's what other people do? Mainly because I'm not that crafty, nor do I own all the tools necessary for such kind of adventure. lol. But, seriously, I think having maps displayed on the table is a serious thing my players will want and expect from here on out. Mainly for being such a hit that everyone gathers around intermittently during our CoS sessions.
Also, if using a TV for display options, how would I make the TV display only the map and not everything I'm DM'ing from?
Okay, so I've been playing with this since my post in hopes to figure something out myself... and apparently, there isn't any way to pull content from Beyond to share with players. I sincerely don't want the players to flip open the adventure book to see the pictures and any included maps. I see there is some way to post public notes in the campaign setting, but without a way to copy a link or image from the site to paste there...I'm wondering how to engage this as a feature. Best I have come up with thus far is to screenshot and crop from the mobile app. So, apparently the TV display option for a map is completely out of the question as high-resolution image of worthwhile quality would never happen from a copy/paste job. The main problem is that only half the group even have DDB, so even if I can share it there, being able to offload the map to another source like a tv or tablet is becoming something of an issue for me to figure out.
I just get the feeling I'm doing something completely wrong here. Or, missing something. If it helps, I use all Apple/Mac/IOS devices.
I always open the Player version of maps or the pictures off enemys in a new browser tap/window and then just share the image.
There is no Information, only the image i choose.
https://media-waterdeep.cursecdn.com/avatars/thumbnails/0/271/1000/1000/636252769318699115.jpeg
Looks like this
If you can make the tv the second screen of you laptop and just put the Player stuff on there.
Embarrassingly, I had to research how to open tabs in a new tab/window as I wasn't sure how to right click using my laptop. lol. But, I got it. Thank you for the assist!
I'm going to test out sharing for the map of Baldur's gate via the example you gave: Baldur's Gate.
Awesome. Seems to work.
Okay...any input on making a secondary screen off a laptop? I honestly don't know where to start on this one.
Use a hdmi or displayport cable from yourlaptop to the second screen/tv. (Or older connections if that's what you got)
On windows you can press windows key + p (for projector) to toggle between "mirror", "extended" or "off" to choose if you want to mirror your main screen or extent it. Or rightclick on the desktop and look for screensettings.
Normaly the second screen is on "the right side". So you should see your mouse if you move it to the right side on your main screen.
I only have my phone atm.. otherwise i would give you some screenshots. Sorry. But you seem able to use Google ;)
I HDMI to the TV in the Living Room we setup in and set the TV as an extended Desktop. Then I just be sure to not accidentally drag any of my campaign notes over to the TV and only leave a separate browser window with the map I've created over on the extended desktop. Another perk is by playing music on the laptop for the campaign setting it plays through the TV speakers which allows for more of an immersive sound than just coming out of my laptop speakers.
May your rolls be crits and your sessions be frequent
You guys gave me a GREAT launching point. Unfortunately, I have no HDMI ports on my MacBook Pro. Not sure if that's a typically standard feature or not. It is a few years old, so...who knows? I have USB ports so there may be a way to do a cable connection. However! I came across a very Mac specific answer in that my phone can connect to my Apple TV to mirror image...my laptop can do that also, but has the option to extend desktop as you guys both mentioned! I just tested it out and I can keep all my DM tools on my main screen and just fill up the new window with all the maps, images, etc that I need for my players. Awesome! Now, I need to purchase another Apple TV to stay on the spare TV. This is going to work.
Thanks for the pointers! It actually helped a LOT. I am so relieved that I can still share all this with my players now.
glad to hear it!!
May your rolls be crits and your sessions be frequent
I have a MacBook Pro, you can buy a usbC adaptor that has a hdmi out port. Below is a link to an example on UK Amazon to see what I mean. This will save the expense of buying a second Apple TV
https://uk.anker.com/products/a8362?currency=GBP&variant=39730059247780&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=uk_anker_conversion_shopping_shopify_purchase&utm_content=AnkerShopify&utm_term={12003214692}_{116821276035}_{489895722430}&gclid=Cj0KCQjwssyJBhDXARIsAK98ITQdyGR3mqaMd95YpD6MJLzVAnTmb_JvAvHWGjYU6ccCCVhgyzikbhsaApzZEALw_wcB
Print key persistent maps poster size (staples) and laminate with clear, texture free cupboard lining from home Depot so players and I can mark it up and it’s still reusable.
I'm starting a Prisoner 13 adventure. When I go to maps, I only see the basic ones. I'm all the tutorials I've seen, there is a tap under the basic maps for the adventures. How do I get access to that
See, this is the issue I am currently trying to fix. I am in a small apartment and am trying to use a TV for the spectator/players and my laptop for the actual DM'ing map and whatnot. Can not seem to get it working.