Best map maker?

[Jürgen Hubert]

I've recently started a masters in landscape architecture, so computer-illustrated geography is a Big Deal. Our core four are Photoshop/GIMP, Illustrator/Inkscape, AutoCAD, and Sketchup. I think Photoshop has an ease of use that GIMP lacks, and documentation is a hundred times better, but much of the photoshop documentation can also be applied to GIMP, and GIMP's pricetag (free!) is hard to beat.

I had some issues with Inkscape crashing, but Illustrator rocks. Again, though, for the price (Free!) Inkscape is pretty awesome.

I use GIMP and Inkscape in combination with a graphics tablet - which makes drawing coastlines and other irregular shapes a lot easier.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Definitely true. I was just wondering about other DMs experiences with mapping tools. Sometimes software can be frustrating at first but worth it once you get the hang of things. Others are just plain bad.

The Cartographer's Guild is a great resource but I'm worried that I will never have the chops to match their best maps.

I have used just about every map maker there is, Campaign Cartographer is the best because that is its job, to make maps - the learning curve is there but if you do the tutorials you will learn a lot.

I would then follow it up with NBOS' Fractal Mapper. I have played around with using Vue/Bryce/Poser. I am just starting to learn Photoshop mapping but then I have a dream of using Z-Brush to do some 3D maps.

 

[SiderisAnon]

I use Campaign Cartographer 3. I have an architectual background, so the CAD interface makes sense to me.

My recomendation to anyone thinking of getting a map maping program is to remember that map making is an art and a skill, and that both take time, patience, and lots of practice. No matter what they say, you will not be able to turn out professional looking maps in your first five minutes, or even in your first five hours. You have to take the time to learn how to use the program, probably while creating numerous maps to hone your skills. If you take your first attempts and compare it to the glorious things you can find on the web, you will end up disappoined in whatever program you picked. The programs are not magic, unfortunately.

Now, the programmer that invents a mapping program that can just read your mind and produce art, that person will be both rich and worshipped.

 

[jdrakeh]

My recomendation to anyone thinking of getting a map maping program is to remember that map making is an art and a skill, and that both take time, patience, and lots of practice. No matter what they say, you will not be able to turn out professional looking maps in your first five minutes, or even in your first five hours. You have to take the time to learn how to use the program, probably while creating numerous maps to hone your skills.

It's also worth noting that artisitic talent does not necessarily translate into good computer CAD skills. Back in the day, I could knock out extremely detailed maps in black ink on faux parchment that looked great (I suppose I still could, if I had the space to work in) but that didn't help me at all with computer mapping.

 

[Grymar]

No one mentioned AutoRealm? I did an old-school hex map on it for my last session and got a lot of positive response on it, much more than the maps that I've spent 4-5 hours on using GIMP.

 

[Jinglehopper]

My recomendation to anyone thinking of getting a map maping program is to remember that map making is an art and a skill, and that both take time, patience, and lots of practice.

This is a very good point. My lack of art skills will probably persist unless I devote a lot of time into honing them. And while I love maps, and making them, I'd much rather spend time preparing the campaign and playing. Perhaps I will just stick with pen and paper maps.

They do have a certain charm, even if they don't look quite so professional.

 

[Ethalias]

I'm in a similar position to the OP: Would love custom made gorgeous maps, but lack art skills and the time to develop them. Are there any keen gaming cartographers out there hungry for a new project? Collaboration FTW!

 

[Calico_Jack73]

I like Dundjinni quite a bit.

AutoRealm is great for making campaign setting maps (plus it is free).

If you use the old 3E Dungeon Tiles I reccommed using WotC's Dungeon Tile Mapper. Also free it helps you design you maps using the tile sets that you own.

Dungeon Tile Mapper -- v1.2.0