My first attempt at a map with Dundjinni: Post yours!

So I went ahead and splurged for the platinum version of Dunjdinni...yikers .

This is my first hack at a map...in the version I'm using, there are lots of objects you can paint down (and you can see that I've been pretty liberal in an effort just to see how everything works). Anyway, this is what they refer to as a battle map. If this were full-dimensioned (I resized it to kill the file size), you would get 8x10 1" squares for use with your miniatures, if that's you bag...

I want to see everyone else's attempts so everyone get going

This is a clearing in the woods which has been turned into an encampment...

I hand draw all of my maps, but I have to admit this program has me intrigued. Would you mind giving a review of it? Not a formal one necessarily, just something here to let us know how much you like it?

Is it easy to use?

Does it do larger scale maps well?

What's the coolest thing about it?

Is it worth $80?

pogre said:

Is it worth $80?

Click to expand...

and $40 for ink?

Nice map. Consider it yoinked.
Yes please do some kind of informal review.
I am very interested in this program. Not so much worried about the price as of ease of use.

msd said:

So I went ahead and splurged for the platinum version of Dunjdinni...yikers .

This is my first hack at a map...in the version I'm using, there are lots of objects you can paint down (and you can see that I've been pretty liberal in an effort just to see how everything works). Anyway, this is what they refer to as a battle map. If this were full-dimensioned (I resized it to kill the file size), you would get 8x10 1" squares for use with your miniatures, if that's you bag...

I want to see everyone else's attempts so everyone get going

This is a clearing in the woods which has been turned into an encampment...

Click to expand...

For fantasy cartography that one would wish to be published, this program looks awesome.<O

CC2 uses take note because, like it or not, the paradigm for superior quality is changing from the "Ye Old Map" look to the Dundjinni look.<O</O

I'd like to see villages and towns done in Dundjinni. The demo images I created looked pixilated, but I don't see that here in your thumbnail -- looks mighty fine And to boot this application will only get better and better.

I've been toying around with Dundjinni for several days now. I should mention right from the beginning the would-be publishers looking for inexpensive map making software they can use in their products are out of luck. As of when I wrote this Fluid is being stingy, prohibiting using any of their supplied textures and objects to be used in a map that is later sold for profit. I am still hopeful that will change. They have already stipulated you can use the program in a commercial application if you create all the art and dont use any of theirs. For that reason, would be publishers should skip the art packs right now.

The program is quite easy to use. I have barely cracked the manual and have stumbled on hundreds of little things you can do with it to create just the effect you are looking for. I think its highly intuitive. I have some previous PSP and Photoshop experience though so YMMV. Simple maps without a lot of objects and cover plopped down can be done in a matter of minutes. More time is required for fine placement of objects (mostly just finding them in the palette) and creating the minutea that makes for a really FANTASTIC map.

The most positive thing I can say about the program is that the company seems in tune with the users on their forums and seems genuinely interested in dealing with issues, etc. This is not to say that the program doesnt create some amazing effects, but I really dont know how to describe that in short order. Besides, youve already seen what the end product does.

Aside from the lack of commercial portability of the end product, I think the most negative thing about the program is the toobars, which I find I'm always moving out of my way while I paint. I'm told they're looking for a way to stick them at the top, at least as an option.

This program would be INVALUABLE to the DM wanting to run a PbP or PBeM game. My days of drawing it up with layers in Paint Shop Pro are over.

EDIT: I BELIEVE the program is presently limited to a single 8.5 x 11 sheet, but at 1/4" per 5 ft thats still quite large. Larger paper sizes will be supported in future updates.

Wooooooooooo, I would HIGHLY discourage people from buy Dundjinni then -- until FLUID changes their point of view in regards to allowing artist to work for hire using the software. One word: boycott. I came "this" close to buying the platnium version -- glad I found your post first!

crabclaw said:

Wooooooooooo, I would HIGHLY discourage people from buy Dundjinni then -- until FLUID changes their point of view in regards to allowing artist to work for hire using the software.

Click to expand...

Just to clarify, you CAN use the software to make maps for profit, but you must use all your own artwork. Ive slowly but surely been recreating elements over the last week for the floors and walls, and will move on to doors and objects later. It is an unfortunate wrinkle though.

Just to clarify, you CAN use the software to make maps for profit, but you must use all your own artwork. Ive slowly but surely been recreating elements over the last week for the floors and walls, and will move on to doors and objects later. It is an unfortunate wrinkle though.

Click to expand...

You know what would be cool? An open-source Dundjinni group that created high-quality map art components to share with one another. I'd contribute to such a group. Any rumblings of such a thing on the Dundjinni boards?

There is a yahoo group started, but I am sure they'll exhaust their file storage allocation in no time flat at present rate. The art is provided for free and as you might expect some is better than others. I know enough to know how to randomize or create textures (ive created lots of floors, doors, and walls) but lack artistic ability to do anything truly amazing. Still, I'm game, regardless of whether Fluid ultimately opens their art up or not, if the community wants to start something.

FYI, Fluid said there would be a post on their publishing policy by the end of today.