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The Cartographers’ Guild is a forum created by and for map makers and aficionados, a place where every aspect of cartography can be admired, examined, learned, and discussed. Our membership consists of professional designers and artists, hobbyists, and amateurs—all are welcome to join and participate in the quest for cartographic skill and knowledge.
Although we specialize in maps of fictional realms, as commonly used in both novels and games (both tabletop and role-playing), many Guild members are also proficient in historical and contemporary maps. Likewise, we specialize in computer-assisted cartography (such as with GIMP, Adobe apps, Campaign Cartographer, Dundjinni, etc.), although many members here also have interest in maps drafted by hand.
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My first blog is about styling. It can be time consumming finding fonts and photoshop brushes, colours and styles in map making. But the effort is truely worth the while even if it means rehashing existing maps. I use some fonts which don't have the full character set so that numbers, for example, don't come out in text. What a pain! And being a poor artist I can't afford to buy pro fonts. I have tried to make my own font up and it took ages! And when you use it it is damn hard to read as the spacing ...
At one point, I could never understand why some people allow their dreams and passions to die away. Buried under piles mediocrity and tedious work. Then I'm brought back to my time in college, sitting in my networking class, listening to my professor talk about "dreams". He told my class, "Don't follow your dreams. You'll just be disappointed in the long run. Dreams and passions can die off just as easily as they start, and sooner or later, you'll come to hate what you once loved." ...
This first image is the original map, as penciled by my partner, J. E. Dugue. J. E. is an all around talented guy. Besides his natural born abilities in writing and music, he is also a natural born artist. He chose to pursue his first two loves, but this map will always possess a special place in my heart. This map was first drawn in the late 90’s when we were in high school. This is the continent of Sylvane where the first stories take place. Sylvane ...
I doubt I will use this blog much, but as a place to store project notes and ideas I think I shall. Over 30 years ago I developed a campaign world larger than Judges Guild or Greyhawk. Now I am trying to digitize these maps by redrawing them in gimp. No scans allowed! Huge project for just the world is the same size as the Earth, and I am starting there. At the same time (more as a hobby effort) I am writing a book about my efforts to design the world, and digitize ...
Just recently I posted my map on a forum to see what others thought should be changed. I'm going to have to change a lot.... The mountains aren't a big deal. The Rivers however... Wow. That is going to be a big project to do. Also I'm looking for some way to make my map bigger, as to show more detail when zoomed in. This way I can get the most out of every pixel. Well, wish me luck. :\ ...
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