So, I work in a Library and have done a basic beginner D&D campaign that was successful. I introduced D&D to many new players and taught them something about the library in the process. Fast forward to today, and I am working on a sequel. My first one was so basic, that I just made maps using Powerpoint and shapes. However, this one is already significantly more complex and I would like to create real maps to represent the towns and buildings I am creating.
I ask the hive mind of DM's, what tools do you use to create these? I know Roll 20 is good for creating dungeons and wilderness maps, but haven't found anything for making a town map, or maybe I am just terrible with the program as I haven't really used it.
Campaign cartographer can generate amazing maps, but it’s a bit expensive. And it is maddeningly hard to understand. But if you’re willing to climb a very steep leaning curve, as I said, really amazing maps.
I use www.dungeonfog.com for my dungeon maps and http://www.inkarnate.com for my world/regional maps. They both work great and have really added a lot to our games. I currently just started a "Hex Crawl" adventure campaign with some friends by creating an "unexplored" map in Inkarnate, ported it over to DungeonFog and we are slowly exploring it by removing fog of war hex by hex.
I'll put in a plug for Wonderdraft. It's quite nice.
Better at making large area maps or world maps than cities, but I've seen some good cities done too and there are assets you can DL from various websites to plug into WD.
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WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
If you're able to put in a few bucks, Wonderdraft is my absolute favorite tool, I adore it. Cartography Assets and 2minutetabletop have some great free assets for making all sorts of maps. It's easy to dive right into and understand even without downloading additional assets. You can even make your own assets if you have any artistic inclination whatsoever (or even if you don't), since it just uses .png files for assets.
you can also use vassal though it might be far more intricate its easy, free, and straight forward to use its just time consuming (i recommend version 3.17) like i said though its time consuming were it might take you a full day to create a area map around a city (in full detail)
It really does look as good as that trailer suggests, it auto-populates rooms with "stuff"... There's a big DesertThemed update tomorrow and new tools/brushes/items etc.
If you use a VTT it's super, if you're actually printing off maps, it comes with different print options/sizes and I saw a tutorial on how to make a BIG map by printing off sections individually... There are limitations, the 3d aspect of it doesn't translate - it isn't a VTT - but that aspect of it is nice (screenshot/handouts) and I think the new update includes a camera/record mode so you could livestream it and zoom in on stuff for players "live" - some of the animated elements are nice enough to merit that... Anyway, I'm enthused, BUT obviously you need a reasonable computer to run it...
I agree 100%. It has its uses, and it excels at them. I can make an inn in about 5 minutes, and it's unique and custom. For towns and other overland maps, Arkenforge is good. I use both, and I'm happy with them.
I wish dnd beyond would offer free maps just as like to see what maps are like.
If you claim the free Lost Mine of Phandelver currently available (until Oct 6th) there are maps included in the adventure. You can click on them, download and save the images.
So, I work in a Library and have done a basic beginner D&D campaign that was successful. I introduced D&D to many new players and taught them something about the library in the process. Fast forward to today, and I am working on a sequel. My first one was so basic, that I just made maps using Powerpoint and shapes. However, this one is already significantly more complex and I would like to create real maps to represent the towns and buildings I am creating.
I ask the hive mind of DM's, what tools do you use to create these? I know Roll 20 is good for creating dungeons and wilderness maps, but haven't found anything for making a town map, or maybe I am just terrible with the program as I haven't really used it.
Thank you for your time!
"Shadow Hide You..."
Campaign cartographer can generate amazing maps, but it’s a bit expensive. And it is maddeningly hard to understand. But if you’re willing to climb a very steep leaning curve, as I said, really amazing maps.
Worldographer http://worldographer.com/ has a horrible java UI, but is pretty straightforward to use.
https://watabou.itch.io/medieval-fantasy-city-generator generates amazing fantasy cities.
https://azgaar.github.io/Fantasy-Map-Generator generates amazing fantasy world maps.
I've used the city generator link in the post above to give me a base image and then used Photoshop to tailor it.
Thank you all for your suggestions! I appreciate it!
"Shadow Hide You..."
I use www.dungeonfog.com for my dungeon maps and http://www.inkarnate.com for my world/regional maps. They both work great and have really added a lot to our games. I currently just started a "Hex Crawl" adventure campaign with some friends by creating an "unexplored" map in Inkarnate, ported it over to DungeonFog and we are slowly exploring it by removing fog of war hex by hex.
I'll put in a plug for Wonderdraft. It's quite nice.
Better at making large area maps or world maps than cities, but I've seen some good cities done too and there are assets you can DL from various websites to plug into WD.
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
inkarnate for city maps and azgaar for world maps
May your rolls be crits and your sessions be frequent
Inkarnate is a great introductory tool.
If you're able to put in a few bucks, Wonderdraft is my absolute favorite tool, I adore it. Cartography Assets and 2minutetabletop have some great free assets for making all sorts of maps. It's easy to dive right into and understand even without downloading additional assets. You can even make your own assets if you have any artistic inclination whatsoever (or even if you don't), since it just uses .png files for assets.
you can also use vassal though it might be far more intricate its easy, free, and straight forward to use its just time consuming (i recommend version 3.17) like i said though its time consuming were it might take you a full day to create a area map around a city (in full detail)
Dungeon Alchemist, it's pretty new and still in its post-kickerstarter/updates/phase.
BUT!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5SNyphSrFw
It really does look as good as that trailer suggests, it auto-populates rooms with "stuff"... There's a big DesertThemed update tomorrow and new tools/brushes/items etc.
If you use a VTT it's super, if you're actually printing off maps, it comes with different print options/sizes and I saw a tutorial on how to make a BIG map by printing off sections individually... There are limitations, the 3d aspect of it doesn't translate - it isn't a VTT - but that aspect of it is nice (screenshot/handouts) and I think the new update includes a camera/record mode so you could livestream it and zoom in on stuff for players "live" - some of the animated elements are nice enough to merit that... Anyway, I'm enthused, BUT obviously you need a reasonable computer to run it...
https://wulfgold.substack.com
Blog - nerd stuff
https://deepdreamgenerator.com/u/wulfgold
A.I. art - also nerd stuff - a gallery of NPC portraits - help yourself.
I agree 100%. It has its uses, and it excels at them. I can make an inn in about 5 minutes, and it's unique and custom. For towns and other overland maps, Arkenforge is good. I use both, and I'm happy with them.
One thing I highly suggest is a website called dungeon scrawl. It's free and quite easy to use, making old-school good quality maps.
Quokkas are objectively the best animal, anyone who disagrees needs a psychiatric evaluation
I wish dnd beyond would offer free maps just as like to see what maps are like.
If you claim the free Lost Mine of Phandelver currently available (until Oct 6th) there are maps included in the adventure. You can click on them, download and save the images.
DM session planning template - My version of maps for 'Lost Mine of Phandelver' - Send your party to The Circus - Other DM Resources - Maps, Tokens, Quests - 'Better' Player Character Injury Tables?
Actor, Writer, Director & Teacher by day - GM/DM in my off hours.
I used Dungeon scrawl and it is good if you only want to make not detailed dungeons.
you sus man