WIP fantasy map

[shimmery]

I started a map a little while ago for one of my fantasy worlds, and this is what I have so far.



You can tell it's not quite finished, if nothing else than just by the fact that half of the places are still called UNNAMED. I was looking for maybe some critique for it, though…? I feel as if I'm missing something or if there's something I can do better, but I'm not totally sure what that is.

One of the things I was wondering was how to (or if I should at all) distinguish between the different countries. I have simple boring lines right now, as you can see, but that just looks so…boring and plain.

And if it's relevant, I use Photoshop.

[Freodin]

Nice start, I'd say.
Good texturing, wonderful subtle colours, great layout.
Nice choice of icons as well... they are very subtle also, and fit within the map perfectly. Same for the labels and font-style chosen.

I guess the mountains are not finished yet? Let's see how they will fit in.

One thing you might want to consider though is the layout of your rivers. Of course fantasy worlds might provide excuses, but usually rivers do not behave that way. Check out the great thread "How to get your rivers in the right place" to learn more.

[shimmery]

Nice start, I'd say.
Good texturing, wonderful subtle colours, great layout.
Nice choice of icons as well... they are very subtle also, and fit within the map perfectly. Same for the labels and font-style chosen.

I guess the mountains are not finished yet? Let's see how they will fit in.

One thing you might want to consider though is the layout of your rivers. Of course fantasy worlds might provide excuses, but usually rivers do not behave that way. Check out the great thread "How to get your rivers in the right place" to learn more.

Thanks. I had fun figuring out which font worked best and the icons were all fun to draw.

Oooh, thanks. I'll definitely look at that. I admit, I kind of just guessed with the rivers, because I really had no clue. So thanks.

[Josiah VE]

Very nice!

I was thinking the forests might look better with smaller tree icons..

For country borders on photoshop, what I usually do is use a square brush, and in brush options, flatten it so it's thin, make the spacing of the brush wide enough so that each 'rectangles' aren't touching each other, then in shape dynamics do 'Angle' as directions. In the end you should have a dotted line. I think I explained that really badly but I hope you understood.

Overall, very nice so far. Keep it up.

[shimmery]

Very nice!

I was thinking the forests might look better with smaller tree icons..

For country borders on photoshop, what I usually do is use a square brush, and in brush options, flatten it so it's thin, make the spacing of the brush wide enough so that each 'rectangles' aren't touching each other, then in shape dynamics do 'Angle' as directions. In the end you should have a dotted line. I think I explained that really badly but I hope you understood.

Overall, very nice so far. Keep it up.

I was worried the trees were a little bit.

I think I know what you mean. I shall have to try that. Thanks!

[Caenwyr]

Very nice!

I was thinking the forests might look better with smaller tree icons..

For country borders on photoshop, what I usually do is use a square brush, and in brush options, flatten it so it's thin, make the spacing of the brush wide enough so that each 'rectangles' aren't touching each other, then in shape dynamics do 'Angle' as directions. In the end you should have a dotted line. I think I explained that really badly but I hope you understood.

Overall, very nice so far. Keep it up.

You can also try working with paths, and stroke them with a square dotted line. That way you can adjust the size and shape of the "square dots" afterwards until you get exactly what you want, AND you can keep tinkering with the path too. Easy-peasy!

[shimmery]

You can also try working with paths, and stroke them with a square dotted line. That way you can adjust the size and shape of the "square dots" afterwards until you get exactly what you want, AND you can keep tinkering with the path too. Easy-peasy!

Oooh, thanks!