[Award Winner] Using GIMP to Create an Artistic Regional RPG Map

[RobA]

The promised pdfs. I had to break it into parts 3 and 4 because of the size limitation...

Also attached is a zip of the final xcf file (it just fits under the limit) in case anyone wants to dissect this thing to get a better understanding on any of the steps or layers.

And now that this is over, I can get back to some other things on the back burner

Cheers!

-Rob A>

[pyrandon]

This tutorial is amazing, Rob. I can't even imagine how many hours you put into both developing the system and the writing/posting of that system. Thank you so much.

I can't wait to see what maps users make from it, too!

[RPMiller]

I agree, and I really hope you get a bucket load of rep for it as well.

[Istarlome]

the results are 100% fantastic. i'm going to refer to this thread at gimp dome. i'm sure your techniques can be used for many other apps. thanks for sharing.

you're one of the best gimp users i've seen. very inspiring......

[RobA]

Thanks! I'm glad someone is reading this thread

As no one has been posting with comments are questions I was worried this exercise was for naught. Now is the time - any question? Post them here! I wil be adding any clarification that people ask for in an edited version that at some point will be set up as a single file PDF for download.

-Rob A>

[GlennZilla]

Oh, no, I have been reading and building on this thread on my own. I'm currently doing a lot of world building with my gaming group to prep for the release of D&D 4.0. And this tutorial was how I got them to start sketching out the areas as we discussed them.

I'm hoping to provide a few examples once I've had the change to get something finished.

[Darth_Gimp]

This is my first post to this forum, let me assure you that this excersize is not a waste. I have gotten through the first two PDF and have learned some interesting techniques. I will be applying them to how I create textures for Planets in Spacescapes as well.

I hope to post something of a map from your tut soon. I just want to make my own rather than the provided sketch.

Thanks for this tutorial!

[Starving]

Thanks! I'm glad someone is reading this thread

As no one has been posting with comments are questions I was worried this exercise was for naught. Now is the time - any question? Post them here! I wil be adding any clarification that people ask for in an edited version that at some point will be set up as a single file PDF for download.

-Rob A>

Rob,

Just so you know your tutorial is still being used today. I'm an old pencil, and paper mapper. Now I got to learn this new fangled computer mapping. Imagine my joy at finding such a clear and useful tutorial.

Thank you very much,
Starving

[angellus00]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I've been looking for a step by step to do something like this for AGES!! Thank you x100000

Here is the first map I made using this tutorial.

[JadeEliott]

Rob,

Awesome tute. I, like others are completely new to Gimp and was using Microsoft Publisher before this! (Don't laugh.)

I have gotten to the mountains stage and the directions are becomig a bit "ragged" so that I am having a hard time keeping up. I am stuck here:

Use the magic wand again to select the non-mountain area (like with the land) and create a new layer called “Mountains Mask” with a white on black. (Also the white colour selection as a new selection mask using Select->Save to Channel).

What does "with a white on black" mean?

What does the second sentence mean? How specifically do I do this?

In the land mask step, you selected then inverted the selection. Do I do the same here? Otherwise, my mask ends up with the mountains black instead of white like the land mass was?

I have repped you for this tute, it is very helpful!

My only complaint is how your directions started out very clear and step by step and then degraded, skipping key points or assuming the reader would know what you meant. Like you just wanted to be finished and rushed (which you probably did just want to be finished after all that work!)

Thanks for any help you can give.