Any Good Dungeon Mappers Out There?

[josha]

I want to make dungeon maps on my computer but everything online (that I can find at least) is at least 1 of the following:
- Very limited in it's capabilities.
- Virus-ridden.
- Broken.
- Expensive.
- Impossible to download.
- Incomplete.
Do you know of anything that has none of those traits? If so, please send me a link.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

I still do a good bit of mapping with Dungeon Crafter and Dungeon Crafter 2 - though old it does a decent job on interior maps. I mostly use it for 'fun' mapping - doodling out tile based maps that may or may not ever become anything in particular. Just a fun little tile based mapper.

And if you look among the fan made tiles for the mapper, you may find some by The Auld Grump.

For commercial mapping programs, I am fond of Campaign Cartographer 3 - less expensive than the older versions were, more powerful, and much, much much more user friendly. This is the program that I now use for the bulk of my mapping.

The Auld Grump

 

[gamerprinter]

Cartographers Guild is your answer

Go to the http://www.cartographersguild.com which is site dedicated to the creation, sharing and learning of fantasy cartographer in every way.

In the General Forums, there's a thread on a list of 'all' graphics, mapping apps, and other software used in the creation of maps. The posts mention links to where to find the applications, costs if any, etc.

From there go to the Tutorials Forum which include over 200 tutorials using everything from Photoshop, GIMP, Paint.net, Xara Xtreme, CorelDraw, Serif, CAD applications, Paint, Painter, etc. etc. - most of the listed software in the applications thread have at least one corresponding tutorial for it.

There's a Cartography Elements thread that contains map objects, borders, compass roses, trees, photoshop brushes, etc.

Once you start to use a given application, having completed all necessary tutoritals, and working on your first map, you should post it in the WIP Forum (work-in-progress) - there the experts on the site will guide you with tips, comments, suggestions, even tossing in mini-tutorials right in your thread.

Consider that all fantasy industry cartographers (the pros anyway), map application developers, fantasy authors, and RPG publishers are members of the site - all the experts in fantasy mapping are there. Art Directors from the various RPG publishers regularly visit there and post Art Orders for maps from our members.

I can offer you no better advice than to join the CG for all things mapping.

GP

 

[Beginning of the End]

Dundjinni. (Dundjinni Mapping Software - Bring Your Game To Life)

Very affordable. And you get very high quality results without investing a lot of time.

I particularly recommend Dundjinni with the Old School or Classic art pack (I can't remember the exact name). Using that art pack allows me to execute maps on the computer at virtually the same speed as drawing them by hand, but the results are graphically superior in virtually every way.

 

[jaerdaph]

- Virus-ridden.

Speaking of viruses...

The folks at Profantasy, makers of Campaign Cartographer 3 (CC3) software, mentioned recently that they are aware of several illegal copies for download of CC3 out there that are infected with viruses and worse. I believe they learned about it when some dumbass who downloaded an illegal copy went to Profantasy for tech support.

Just an FYI and not directed at the OP or anyone in particular.

 

[gamerprinter]

Dundjinni. (Dundjinni Mapping Software - Bring Your Game To Life)

Very affordable. And you get very high quality results without investing a lot of time.

I particularly recommend Dundjinni with the Old School or Classic art pack (I can't remember the exact name). Using that art pack allows me to execute maps on the computer at virtually the same speed as drawing them by hand, but the results are graphically superior in virtually every way.

Dundjinni, while a good program especially for encounter scale map (it can't really create regional maps and what not, only close in maps), its continued support is 'up in the air'. The main company is no longer developing it. So if you get it, get it now, and if you don't it might not exist. While I am sure it will still be available even after the company is done with it, you won't be able to get support for it.

Its sad too, because Dundjinni is one of your better stamping encounter scale mapping apps - like Dungeoncrafter only far better quality.

GP

 

[OnlineDM]

For tactical maps, I've been really happy with MapTool. Now, granted, I use it to actually run games online as well as projecting the image onto the table for in-person games, but I've also printed out the maps I've created in MapTool for use at the table and I've been very happy with them. I don't think it would be good for city or regional or world maps, but if you want easy, nice-looking encounter maps it's great. You'll need MapTool and an image library, both freely available online.

 

[InkwellIdeas]

Yesterday I launched the open beta of Dungeonographer. The free version is almost the same as the pro version, except that (like Hexographer) it runs within your web browser and has a couple of features reserved for the pro version (add more squares to an existing map; free version limits you to importing 10 map objects.)

Dungeonographer

A few key features are:
-Create your map once, and save/print it as both a classic/line art version or a semi-realistic/battlemat version. (Also the semi-realistic icons are meant to scale to 1" squares and 300dpi)
-The printing will automatically span multiple pages based on your page size, but you can also print each encounter area (room, corridor intersection, etc) separately.
-Export the map as a 1-page dungeon style webpage.
-Everyone loves the ease-of use of Hexographer, so I've tried to preserve that.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Here is a list: http://www.battlegroundsgames.com/links.html
Here is Fractal Mapper

You may want to look to older post in http://www.enworld.org/forum/software-computers-video-games-d-d-utilities/

 

[jcayer]

I had been using Dundjinni for several months, with great success, but it got to be a pain to spend an hour cutting out and taping together maps every session.
I recently came into possession of a projector and after looking at maptools, will certainly be giving that a try.

I will also admit to mixed reactions from my players. Some like the computer drawn map, others prefer the whiteboard so they can create the room in their imagination.