2 styles of map... which looks best?

[Kris]

Hello all

I've (once again) been working on some maps recently for my campaign world (maps that will eventually be used in some of the 'drag & drop' settlement pdf's I put on my website).

However, the full colour ones I have been attempting recently have just been taking me way too long to finish - not to mention the fact that my computer is going slower and slower every time I try to do a slightly larger map (which means I generally have to leave out some extra details I'd like to add - to avoid it grinding to a complete standstill).

So this weekend I thought I would attempt a different style for my settlement maps, a style that is not so demanding on my poor old computer, and one that I can hopefully complete in a lot less time

Anyway... here's an example of my recent full colour maps (the ones that take me forever)... the village of Codeltun...

http://www.enworld.org/CrookedStaffProductions/condeltun.jpg



And here's an example of the new style map that I've been working on this weekend...

http://www.enworld.org/CrookedStaffProductions/south_suthgeard.jpg

So I was wondering if anyone would be so kind as to give me their opinion as to which style they think looks best (or seems most useful). For example... with the newer map I could also do it without the parchment effect - so that it's a simple black & white map (to save on the printer ink ).

Thanks

 

[frankthedm]

south_suthgeard.jpg is the more useful one. Have an unkeyed copywould be nice as well.

Save ink.

The other one would be birch to alter and slurp up too much ink to print.

 

[Ferret]

Uhm..... Don't make me choose on the best looking......

Ok, Suthgeard maybe... yeah. It looks cooler, even if it lacks fancy colours.

 

[Eosin the Red]

Codelton is the better map IMO if you are trying to sell something (Hell, i'd buy if I had a place for it and I know that you have sold a number of your other maps to publishers... or at least that your other maps have been in products for sale).

It is pretty simple to map a stripped down wife-frame version of Cod if you want to save on ink.

The other map isn't bad but it won't sell a product. People will still be grateful to get if for free and it certainly is useful.

 

[Hand of Evil]

got to agreee with Eosin the Red.

 

[Kris]

Hello again and thanks for the input (it's greatly appreciated).

Codelton is the better map IMO if you are trying to sell something (Hell, i'd buy if I had a place for it and I know that you have sold a number of your other maps to publishers... or at least that your other maps have been in products for sale).

Yeah... I was approached by a games company for one of my maps earlier in the year - and seeing as they just wanted a few minor alterations doing to it for their own specific needs, and were willing to let me have my original one appear in one of my own free pdf's... I obviously agreed

However the main reason for creating these maps is so that I can use them in my own weekly game (though I'll be putting them into some kind of free pdf when I have time... just in case anyone else can get some use out of them).


Anyway I guess that the full colour version would be better suited to an in-print product or magazine... (that sure would be great to see someday) ...but like I said above, they are taking an age to draw (mostly waiting for my computer to catch up with what I've asked it to do ) - but I am reasonably happy with the finished 'look'.

However the newer style will take a lot less time (which comes in handy - seeing as I'm trying to create this stuff for the game I'm running) - so I guess I'm looking for a trade-off (though I'm also quite happy with the 'look' of the newer style - kinda has more of a player handout feel to it ).

So thanks again for the comments - it's cool that both styles seem to be going down equally well

 

[Arnwyn]

For me, it's the first one by a long shot.

(However, while I don't mind B&W - I did love the older 1e/2e Dungeon magazine town maps after all - I really don't like the parchment style.)

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Anyway... here's an example of my recent full colour maps (the ones that take me forever)... the village of Codeltun...

http://www.enworld.org/CrookedStaffProductions/condeltun.jpg

I love color maps, this one looks better by a mile.

 

[Eosin the Red]

Hello again and thanks for the input (it's greatly appreciated).



Yeah... I was approached by a games company for one of my maps earlier in the year - and seeing as they just wanted a few minor alterations doing to it for their own specific needs, and were willing to let me have my original one appear in one of my own free pdf's... I obviously agreed

Why not go pro?

You obviously have the talent and eye to do pro work. Don't get me wrong. I am a die-hard map head and love to visit your site. I would hate to see that go away but it is very expensive to maintain a system and the software to do what you do. Supplementing your income by selling some of the maps, doing commission work, etc... could up your resourses.

 

[JVisgaitis]

The first one is a heck of a lot better from a graphics standpoint and I do prefer it to the second one. However, if its only for your home game, I'd say the second style would more then suffice. Its also easier to add notes and such. You could definitely get some freelance work by going pro. Your maps look great.