Reply With QuoteAnother question to those who know: How best to create a distance scale? My tries to create one with vector graphic programs and import them to my map always look... let's say horrible
Exalted Map (West) - Yet Unnamed
I will shortly start up an online Exalted Campaign 1on1 with a friend of mine and we came to agree that we would play in the West of Creation.
For those not in the know, the West in that world is a huge ocean with dozens of islands scattered about.
I created the below map and Intend to populate it with warring tribes.
It's currently still in it's infancy and as always I try a few things here and there, this time especially the water.
Enjoy and tell me what you think.
Also a question to my superiors in mapping: How to best integrate/create sandy beaches?
Another question to those who know: How best to create a distance scale? My tries to create one with vector graphic programs and import them to my map always look... let's say horrible
What software are you using?
-Rob A>
My tutorials: Using GIMP to Create an Artistic Regional Map ~ All My Tutorials
My GIMP Scripts: Rotating Brush ~ Gradient from Image ~ Mosaic Tile Helper ~ Random Density Map ~ Subterranean Map Prettier ~ Tapered Stroke Path ~ Random Rotate Floating Layer ~ Batch Image to Pattern ~ Better Seamless Tiles ~ Tile Shuffle ~ Scale Pattern ~ Grid of Guides ~ Fractalize path ~ Label Points
My Maps: Finished Maps ~ Challenge Entries ~ My Portfolio: www.cartocopia.com
What Rob said..... we need to know the software. However, what I generally do is in GIMP is to go the easy route. My maps are always going to be resolution divisible by 100, so I make a selection 100 or 200 px long on a new layer. One really cool thing about the selection tools is that you can select a starting point in x/y coordinates as well as hard code a length/height. So, after making the first selection and filling with black, I make a second selection starting at the same x/y as the original on a new layer and make it half the size and fill with white. The process takes perhaps 1 minute. Of course, if you wanted to make a scale bar with 4 segments out of 100 px, that would be easy to do also, just a few additional selections and poof, your done. Personal preference, I tend to like rounded corners on mine on both extreme edges, but again, thats just me....
My Finished Maps
Works in Progress(or abandoned tests)
My Tutorials:
Explanation of Layer Masks in GIMP
How to create ISO Mountains in GIMP/PS using the Smudge tool
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Unless otherwise stated by me in the post, all work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.
I use Photoshop CS3. Started with Photoshop a few years ago and never quite got the hang of the GIMP...
JFJr's suggestion for a scale should work in PS as well as GIMP.
Regarding beaches, depending on the scale of the map beaches may not even be visible.
You could add a sand colored stroke of a few pixels and then slightly blur it to merge it with the ocean.
Normally after making my generic land shape(s) I would create an entire layer of whatever color/texture I want be beach to be then add a layer on top of that with my grass color/texture.
My Finished Maps | My Challenge Maps | Still poking around occasionally...
Unless otherwise stated by me in the post, all work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.
I believe CS3 has some analysis tools. If you know the scale ratio--how many miles or feet to the pixel--you can tell Photoshop to generate a scale marker of a particular width and length.
Analysis > Place Scale Marker
Bryan Ray, visual effects artist
http://www.bryanray.name
Okay, thanks for the tips guys, I did some work and here's what came out so far.
Still not implemented:
* Woods and Palms
* Cities and Locations
* Rivers
For informations sake it's an island-nation in a very southern climate, hot like hell and all. Normal temperatures around 30 to 40 °C
This is coming along pretty well. I can't wait to see more!
Update. One picture is for the Clans and their Territory, the other one is the map with rivers and stuff
Opinions? Criticism?
