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Post by Tesla Ranger on Jul 7, 2015 22:07:30 GMT -5
I've finally gotten around to looking over your maps for awhile tonight and it has me reconsidering how I make my own maps. I usually draw my coastlines in AutoRealms ('cause fractals!) and then pop over to Inkscape or GIMP to fill in the details. Or if it's just a city I just start in Inkscape and spend some hours drawing in buildings because I like maps. >_>
Your maps are all the things maps should be so I was curious what your process is?
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Post by DM Aram on Jul 8, 2015 1:44:10 GMT -5
My process is pretty simple - I gather outlines of existing land masses, turn them into vectors and start combining them in different ways until I have shapes that I like. After that I just keep piling on detail (cities, roads, rivers, forests, etc) until the place feels "real." As far as software, I use a combination of Fireworks and Photoshop. I don't know if that is even remotely helpful, but it is what I do  |
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Post by Tesla Ranger on Jul 8, 2015 9:58:08 GMT -5
I hadn't thought to use the contours of existing terrains as a base. I can see how that'd be handy in producing something quickly that still seems realistic.
Thanks!
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Post by Kiado on Jul 16, 2015 17:18:15 GMT -5
I have to chime in on this. I really like your maps, and the way you laid it out. I was thinking Campaign Cartographer was your tool, but I am wrong! I have been working on maps myself. I use Photoshop and drawing pad. I fall into the trap of my own mind though. I want it to look like it was drawn by some art god, but I of course am not an art god. Did you find yourself hitting this kind of trap? I won't begin to call your maps simple, but I am getting cramped up trying to draw realistic shorelines, and detailed mountain ranges, and if I keep going the way I am going I won't have a map ready in time for my first session.
I have tried grabbing some map icon brushes from DeviantArt, and that I was happy with for a while. Simple and easy to understand, but the more I look at it, the more detailed and "bad ass" I want it to look.
Did you ever have this scenario, where you had to combat your own OCD (for lack of better term) when creating your maps? I feel like your maps are well beyond simple maps, but also not super duper detailed, is that a balance you struck or just the way it came out?
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Post by DM Aram on Jul 20, 2015 0:07:00 GMT -5
I think it is fair to call my maps simple. I am not a cartographer and I am sure there are many technical mistakes in my designs, so I tried to keep the features as general as possible while still presenting a clear idea of distance and terrain. I also liked that the simplified layout made the maps instantly recognizable as Godsfall maps. I'm still not done with my World Map yet so yes, and I have done very poorly at combatting that perfectionist streak |
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Post by Kiado on Jul 20, 2015 16:47:59 GMT -5
I don't know if I would call them simple (and didn't mean they were), but they aren't like some you see out there, with just mad detail and flair. I love your maps personally. They convey what's needed in a simple and easy to read manner, that implies terrain, environment, etc. Plus if I am listening to your podcast, I can find what you are referencing quick and easy.
#DMstruggles I guess. I guess at some point I will just say "stop" and be happy with what I got. (Hopefully)
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Post by Tesla Ranger on Jul 21, 2015 0:45:25 GMT -5
In my case finishing a map usually just frees me up to work on the next map. >_>
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