Cartography software for RPG

[kalius]

I'm interested in getting some opinions on the cartography software for RPG and games. What is the best one? advantages and disadvantages? Support/ community, scripting and customization, etc. So far I know of CC2 and dundjinni for 2d and City overseer 3d.

I use a lot of profesional geography(GIS) software at work and I have tried to start using it for RPG maps and found it lacking for that use.

thanks in advance

 

[James Heard]

I use Photoshop, Illustrator and Painter mostly - I've got them lying around though, so it's not like I made the (large)investment just for gaming.The pros: If you understand how to draw you mostly understand how to use them once you get used to the interfaces. The cons: Price (though I hear some people GIMP instead), and you pretty much have to have at least a passing ability to draw.

I don't like the CC stuff or DJinni (sic?). It looks...rough. Even when it's a really elaborate, functional map it doesn't seem to have much soul.

 

[Hand of Evil]

there are a number CC2-Pro, NDOS, Dunjinni, Autorealms, Photoshop and one or two others. I have seen some beautiful results from all of them.

I like CC2-Pro and it has a very active support group mailing list that provides hints, ideas and fixes to any problem you may have.

AutoRealms is free.

Photoshop takes more artistic eye than a technical one.

On the map programs, I say download the demos and see which one fits your style.

 

[D'karr]

I'm interested in getting some opinions on the cartography software for RPG and games. What is the best one? advantages and disadvantages? Support/ community, scripting and customization, etc. So far I know of CC2 and dundjinni for 2d and City overseer 3d.

I use a lot of profesional geography(GIS) software at work and I have tried to start using it for RPG maps and found it lacking for that use.

thanks in advance

If you have access to GIS software you might want to take a look at Fractal Terrains from Profantasy. I believe that it can import GIS data directly. Then export it from there to CC2 which can manipulate the data for your maps. Go to this thread for more information about CC2.