Okay, so I've had a bit of a play with the floor (I got my laptop back complete with the xcf file). I used some tips from a stained parchment tutorial (linked to by Kalmarjan here) to add some random stains to the floor. I also pulled a lot of the colour out of it to make it look a little more worn. I haven't put all the set dressing into this one (that only comes when I put it into maptool - the players like to throw stuff about, so I import the furniture as separate objects). Anyway, comments on the floor stains and the new overall look will be much appreciated. Here it is:
That is a definite improvement! Well done. I still think some black soot staining around the front of the fireplaces and of course the strewn straw in the horse area would enhance it just a touch more, but overall it really has a much more lived in appearance. I think your players will be very pleased.
The straw's independent of the background which is why it isn't here - I've laid down a little in the top stall on the right as an example. Good point about the soot. I'll have a go at it.
Hm... why would the straw be independent? Do you really plan on moving it around?
As for the appearance of the straw at the scale you are using there, the straw at the top of the room is almost spot on perfect. The straw at the bottom is way too long and linear. That doesn't give me the impression of straw, but more like thin dowels or something.
No, not really, but I have created three different bundles of straw that can be dragged into maptool, rotated and resized to fill up the rooms. It's actually easier and quicker to do it there than in Gimp. You're right about the larger straw sections. I'll remember to shrink them before use in the adventure. Thanks for the C&C.
No problem. My thought on the straw was more about 'residual' straw that would be left all over the floor from constantly bringing it in and the horses knocking it around and such. The bales of hay though is definitely a good idea for filler and could serve as easy cover.
Will you be posting an "in game" pic? I would love to see it in action.