Loading...
> >

Anyone here create maps for books?

WillowRavenWillowRaven Posts: 3,787
edited April 2013 in The Commons

If so, what software do you use?

edited: For those needing a better idea for the book's over all feel, to know better what I want to accomplish, here's the cover:

A-Wondering-Warrior-front-cover---for-twitter.jpg
480 x 720 - 257K
Post edited by WillowRaven on
«1

Comments

  • ArkathanArkathan Posts: 65
    edited December 1969

    I created maps for work. Evacuation routes, mostly. Also did maps for role playing games, non-published.
    Check out Auto-Realm. Last time I saw it it was on Source Forge. It has a bunch of stamps to make forests and mountains, also Traveller tm style ship layouts.

    http://sourceforge.net/projects/autorealm/

  • McGyverMcGyver Posts: 7,050
    edited December 1969

    Not that I have anything to offer, but is it for architectural or terrain? Traditional, or simplified (think subway or bus style)?

  • WillowRavenWillowRaven Posts: 3,787
    edited December 1969

    Arkathan said:
    I created maps for work. Evacuation routes, mostly. Also did maps for role playing games, non-published.
    Check out Auto-Realm. Last time I saw it it was on Source Forge. It has a bunch of stamps to make forests and mountains, also Traveller tm style ship layouts.

    http://sourceforge.net/projects/autorealm/

    Thanks, I'll check it out :D

  • WillowRavenWillowRaven Posts: 3,787
    edited December 1969

    lordvicore said:
    Not that I have anything to offer, but is it for architectural or terrain? Traditional, or simplified (think subway or bus style)?

    Actually, I am looking for something that can give me a historical/feel. The novel is a historical fiction action adventure that takes place in the 12th century, so a medieval and slightly fantasy feel, but based on historical land masses of the time.

  • icprncssicprncss Posts: 3,694
    edited April 2013

    Have you checked some of the Photo sites like Corbis?

    http://www.corbisimages.com/Search#p=1&q=old+world+maps

    Post edited by icprncss on
  • icprncssicprncss Posts: 3,694
    edited December 1969

    Here's the link for Old Maps Online

    http://www.oldmapsonline.org/#bbox=-79.385994,42.694582,-78.386238,43.095&q=&datefrom=1000&dateto=2010

  • wancowwancow Posts: 2,708
    edited December 1969

    I'd use a draw program for a project like that... Serif Draw is free, but my software of choice would be XARA.

  • KatteyKattey Posts: 2,899
    edited December 1969

    I mostly use Photoshop for those purposes, and brushes from deviantart.
    I tried Campaign Cartographer 3 (http://www.profantasy.com/products/cc3.asp) but found it clunky to use and giving not the look I aimed for.

  • Scott LivingstonScott Livingston Posts: 4,340
    edited December 1969

    www.cartographersguild.com is a community devoted to this sort of thing (I actually learned about DAZ 3D through their forum).

    I created this map...related to a book I'm writing, but not intended to be printed in the book itself: http://tornalia.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/tornalia_map_large.jpg
    All I used was Photoshop Elements.

  • KinichKinich Posts: 878
    edited December 1969

    Check out Campaign Cartographer by ProFantasy, website is here: http://www.profantasy.com/

    There are samples on the site and various other places. Be warned that you do need to put some time & effort in to get the best out of it as it is based on a proper CAD program (FastCAD).

    Below is a small modern town map that I created with it (using the City Designer add on) This is a reduced image of 2000x1600, a JPG saved from GIMP at a quality setting of 90%, the original output file is a 5000x4000 PNG exported from the program. This took most of a single weekend to create (using whatever free time I had around family commitments). If you want to save a copy of the map to check out in more detail please do so but please do not redistribute, thanks, also be aware it is a 1.5mB file in this form.

    The program produces .FCW files and a free view/player is available from the website.

    It is not the cheapest software but you can buy the core program & add to it over time.

    Just to clarify I am not connected to program in any way except as a casual user of the software.

    L-Castle-01.jpg
    2000 x 1600 - 1M
  • WillowRavenWillowRaven Posts: 3,787
    edited December 1969

    icprncss said:
    Here's the link for Old Maps Online

    http://www.oldmapsonline.org/#bbox=-79.385994,42.694582,-78.386238,43.095&q=&datefrom=1000&dateto=2010

    I don't want existing maps. I want to make my own. But thanks :D I can use these as inspiration.

  • WillowRavenWillowRaven Posts: 3,787
    edited December 1969

    wancow said:
    I'd use a draw program for a project like that... Serif Draw is free, but my software of choice would be XARA.

    I have photoshop cs5, but I was hoping for a shorter route ... lol.

  • Zev0Zev0 Posts: 7,089
    edited April 2013

    add this to your picture. http://www.filterforge.com/filters/2495.html.

    Post edited by Zev0 on
  • WillowRavenWillowRaven Posts: 3,787
    edited December 1969

    Kattey said:
    I mostly use Photoshop for those purposes, and brushes from deviantart.
    I tried Campaign Cartographer 3 (http://www.profantasy.com/products/cc3.asp) but found it clunky to use and giving not the look I aimed for.

    Oooo, I like brushes ... what would my my search word?

  • WillowRavenWillowRaven Posts: 3,787
    edited December 1969

    Scott-Livingston said:
    www.cartographersguild.com is a community devoted to this sort of thing (I actually learned about DAZ 3D through their forum).

    I created this map...related to a book I'm writing, but not intended to be printed in the book itself: http://tornalia.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/tornalia_map_large.jpg
    All I used was Photoshop Elements.


    Awesome job on that map :D I need to do up something like than :D

  • WillowRavenWillowRaven Posts: 3,787
    edited December 1969

    Kinich said:
    Check out Campaign Cartographer by ProFantasy, website is here: http://www.profantasy.com/

    There are samples on the site and various other places. Be warned that you do need to put some time & effort in to get the best out of it as it is based on a proper CAD program (FastCAD).

    Below is a small modern town map that I created with it (using the City Designer add on) This is a reduced image of 2000x1600, a JPG saved from GIMP at a quality setting of 90%, the original output file is a 5000x4000 PNG exported from the program. This took most of a single weekend to create (using whatever free time I had around family commitments). If you want to save a copy of the map to check out in more detail please do so but please do not redistribute, thanks, also be aware it is a 1.5mB file in this form.

    The program produces .FCW files and a free view/player is available from the website.

    It is not the cheapest software but you can buy the core program & add to it over time.

    Just to clarify I am not connected to program in any way except as a casual user of the software.


    The author is looking for more of an old world style ... more historical looking. But this gives me an idea on another book I have coming up. Thanks :D

  • WillowRavenWillowRaven Posts: 3,787
    edited December 1969

    Zev0 said:
    add this to your picture. http://www.filterforge.com/filters/2495.html.


    Thanks :D I love Filter Forge :D

  • SnowSultanSnowSultan Posts: 3,595
    edited December 1969

    I made this in Photoshop with some brushes from deviantArt, but it took me two weeks (partly because I'd never made a map before). :)

    http://snowsultan.deviantart.com/art/Smackyland-319886327

    There are good tutorials on deviantArt for making fantasy maps, I'd recommend doing a few searches and see what you can find.

  • WillowRavenWillowRaven Posts: 3,787
    edited December 1969

    SnowSultan said:
    I made this in Photoshop with some brushes from deviantArt, but it took me two weeks (partly because I'd never made a map before). :)

    http://snowsultan.deviantart.com/art/Smackyland-319886327

    There are good tutorials on deviantArt for making fantasy maps, I'd recommend doing a few searches and see what you can find.


    Another awesome map :D

    And thanks for the tip :D

  • KinichKinich Posts: 878
    edited December 1969

    AidanaWillowRaven said:
    Kinich said:
    Check out Campaign Cartographer by ProFantasy, website is here: http://www.profantasy.com/

    There are samples on the site and various other places. Be warned that you do need to put some time & effort in to get the best out of it as it is based on a proper CAD program (FastCAD).

    Below is a small modern town map that I created with it (using the City Designer add on) This is a reduced image of 2000x1600, a JPG saved from GIMP at a quality setting of 90%, the original output file is a 5000x4000 PNG exported from the program. This took most of a single weekend to create (using whatever free time I had around family commitments). If you want to save a copy of the map to check out in more detail please do so but please do not redistribute, thanks, also be aware it is a 1.5mB file in this form.

    The program produces .FCW files and a free view/player is available from the website.

    It is not the cheapest software but you can buy the core program & add to it over time.

    Just to clarify I am not connected to program in any way except as a casual user of the software.


    The author is looking for more of an old world style ... more historical looking. But this gives me an idea on another book I have coming up. Thanks :D

    Campaign Cartographer 3 can produce all sorts/styles of maps, the one below I put together just now in about 10-15 minutes using the included Black & White Vector style (Overland Map type). There are lots of styles available in the various add on packs & Annuals. Check out the gallery here:- http://www.profantasy.com/evidence/gallery.asp

    Small_Overland_BW_Vector.JPG
    2000 x 1600 - 300K
  • TotteTotte Posts: 13,955
    edited December 1969

    Ohh, friemds ;-)
    I've published a load of free adventures for DnD, Operation:Fallen Reich and James Bond 007 (the next one will be released any day).
    It was the need for map art (at first) and later handouts that brought me to 3D in the first place.

    The URL is in my tag, but direct link to the adventures is here: http://4eyes.code66.se/?page_id=11

  • KatteyKattey Posts: 2,899
    edited April 2013

    AidanaWillowRaven said:
    Kattey said:
    I mostly use Photoshop for those purposes, and brushes from deviantart.
    I tried Campaign Cartographer 3 (http://www.profantasy.com/products/cc3.asp) but found it clunky to use and giving not the look I aimed for.

    Oooo, I like brushes ... what would my my search word?
    "Old maps" or just "maps", "map" would work as well.

    Personally I found Campaign Cartographer 3 (and Dungeon Designer 3 as well) unintuitive and not comfortable to use. I regret the money I spent on those programs, because I can do everything they can do and better in Photoshop/Illustrator.

    Post edited by Kattey on
  • RawArtRawArt Posts: 5,889
    edited December 1969

    More filterforge:

    http://www.filterforge.com/filters/7140.html

    http://www.filterforge.com/filters/2849.html

    http://www.filterforge.com/filters/5384.html

    http://www.filterforge.com/filters/2514.html

  • TotteTotte Posts: 13,955
    edited April 2013

    I've made some map-making (with battle maps in mind) filters:
    http://www.filterforge.com/filters/author9953-page1.html

    Also works well with Dundjinni, specially those with Iinternal Varittions / multitiling

    Post edited by Totte on
  • WillowRavenWillowRaven Posts: 3,787
    edited December 1969

    Kinich said:
    AidanaWillowRaven said:
    Kinich said:
    Check out Campaign Cartographer by ProFantasy, website is here: http://www.profantasy.com/

    There are samples on the site and various other places. Be warned that you do need to put some time & effort in to get the best out of it as it is based on a proper CAD program (FastCAD).

    Below is a small modern town map that I created with it (using the City Designer add on) This is a reduced image of 2000x1600, a JPG saved from GIMP at a quality setting of 90%, the original output file is a 5000x4000 PNG exported from the program. This took most of a single weekend to create (using whatever free time I had around family commitments). If you want to save a copy of the map to check out in more detail please do so but please do not redistribute, thanks, also be aware it is a 1.5mB file in this form.

    The program produces .FCW files and a free view/player is available from the website.

    It is not the cheapest software but you can buy the core program & add to it over time.

    Just to clarify I am not connected to program in any way except as a casual user of the software.


    The author is looking for more of an old world style ... more historical looking. But this gives me an idea on another book I have coming up. Thanks :D

    Campaign Cartographer 3 can produce all sorts/styles of maps, the one below I put together just now in about 10-15 minutes using the included Black & White Vector style (Overland Map type). There are lots of styles available in the various add on packs & Annuals. Check out the gallery here:- http://www.profantasy.com/evidence/gallery.asp


    Now that's more to my liking/needs. I will definitely look into it, now.

    Thanks, :D

  • WillowRavenWillowRaven Posts: 3,787
    edited December 1969

    RawArt said:
    More filterforge:

    http://www.filterforge.com/filters/7140.html

    http://www.filterforge.com/filters/2849.html

    http://www.filterforge.com/filters/5384.html

    http://www.filterforge.com/filters/2514.html

    Perfect :D

  • WillowRavenWillowRaven Posts: 3,787
    edited December 1969

    Kattey said:
    AidanaWillowRaven said:
    Kattey said:
    I mostly use Photoshop for those purposes, and brushes from deviantart.
    I tried Campaign Cartographer 3 (http://www.profantasy.com/products/cc3.asp) but found it clunky to use and giving not the look I aimed for.

    Oooo, I like brushes ... what would my my search word?


    "Old maps" or just "maps", "map" would work as well.

    Personally I found Campaign Cartographer 3 (and Dungeon Designer 3 as well) unintuitive and not comfortable to use. I regret the money I spent on those programs, because I can do everything they can do and better in Photoshop/Illustrator.


    Thanks for the wise advice :D

  • WillowRavenWillowRaven Posts: 3,787
    edited December 1969

    Totte said:
    I've made some map-making (with battle maps in mind) filters:
    http://www.filterforge.com/filters/author9953-page1.html

    Also works well with Dundjinni, specially those with Iinternal Varittions / multitiling


    Thanks :D

  • Jay_NOLAJay_NOLA Posts: 1,145
    edited April 2013

    ProFantasy's CC3, which was mentioned, is the industry standard for making maps for books, RPGs, etc. It can make maps in several different style. ProFantasy also also has several add-ons for CC3 so you can make an old feel map easily. Check out the ProFantasy forums and the maps users have made to see what can be done with it.

    If you do buy CC3 it is best to buy it in a bundle.

    NOBS makes Fractal Mapper 8 that you can check out.

    http://www.nbos.com/index.htm

    The NOBS site has several free additional mapping symbols you can download, The free Ancient Map Symbols might be of use to you.

    http://www.nbos.com/index.htm

    RPGNow does sell Fractal Mapper 8 as part of a bundle by the way.

    http://www.rpgnow.com

    Dundjinni is the final of the big 3 mapping programs.

    http://www.dundjinni.com/


    Several of the programs mentioned do have trial versions you can check out.

    All of the programs have active fan communities that can help you out with using the software and point you to free resources for them.

    All of the programs CC3, FM8, and Dundjinni can make b&w old style maps fo a publishing in a novel.

    Also, new users have found that CC3 is the hardest one to learn how to use.

    Post edited by Jay_NOLA on
  • McGyverMcGyver Posts: 7,050
    edited April 2013

    AidanaWillowRaven said:
    lordvicore said:
    Not that I have anything to offer, but is it for architectural or terrain? Traditional, or simplified (think subway or bus style)?

    Actually, I am looking for something that can give me a historical/feel. The novel is a historical fiction action adventure that takes place in the 12th century, so a medieval and slightly fantasy feel, but based on historical land masses of the time. If you don't find actual software that will do what you need, FilterForge has a few filter that might allow you to make what you need...

    http://www.filterforge.com/filters/2849.html

    http://www.filterforge.com/filters/4573.html

    http://www.filterforge.com/filters/9450.html

    http://www.filterforge.com/filters/5384.html

    http://www.filterforge.com/filters/2495.html

    http://www.filterforge.com/filters/8901.html

    They would either randomly generate a terrain, or you would either have to draw something on your own (scan or drawing tablet) and then run them through the filters...

    Actually if you are just winging it, with no actual real map to follow, you could use "Hexagonal Game Map" and then run the results through "Cartography" and then maybe some aging filter... you would still have to label stuff, but this might be adequate.

    I don't know Genentica as well, but it might have something too... I like FF better because Genetica is not available for Mac and FF has thousands of free filters ready and waiting. Most are pretty useful... You should give the demo a try, especially since you do so many books.

    Thats if you don't already have it...


    EDITED TO ADD- DOH! I should have looked, but I didn't notice there was a second page... But I guess it just shows hows useful FilterForge is!

    Post edited by McGyver on
Sign In or Register to comment.