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DMing, Mapping & Technology

theoremtank

First Post
I've been dissatisfied in all my campaigns so far concerning map revelation to the player's. I typically make nice computer generated maps although laying it down on the table often reveals more areas than I want to at the time. When I hand draw maps on the spot then it simply takes away from the mood and gaming time. So I had an idea that would make map revalation a lot easier, although I don't know how feasible it actually is. Anyone, please feel free to give your comments, ideas, or input if you have seen something similar to this.


IDEA:
It would be nice if there were a software package that allows the DM to display .bmp, .jpg, etc. file types (computer generated maps) through a digital projector. However the program display should have at least two displays. One would show what the DM sees. The other would show what is sent to the digital projector for player viewing. The DM should be able to control the viewable areas of the map availabe to the PC's as well as possibly have some sort of simple marker placing abilities on the maps to represent characters and enemies.

I don't have a digital projector and I know there prices are somewhat steep, but if a software program similar to what I described above was available I would definitely purchase one. There are so many nicely computer generated maps online that are released officially by dungeon magazine as well as Wizards that such a program would work perfectly for their display.

Any input is welcome.
Thank you
 

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You are right that the projectors are expensive. They're bulky too. Much as I like tech toys, I don't see this as a viable solution. I agree, though, that I'd like to see some software/hardware combo that would help me do this.

In the meantime, I'll just cut the maps apart and lay them down piece by piece. Use a bit of tape and they don't slide around. It's not perfect, but it will do for now.
 

I use projectors for my job. They aren't all that bulky anymore. The real problem is price.

Instead, couldn't you do this with something like Powerpoint or some freeware slideshow software. There is also a piece of software called Mapster that helps with hiding parts of maps from players.

--sam
 

You can (kinda) do this. Not exactly what you mean, but put a second video card in your computer (or have a dual monitor video card). The second output is hooked to the overhead (or TV). Of course, this is not a cheap option on desktops, but I just bought a ATI 7500 (I think) and it had dual monitor and tv out. So I could do this if I wanted. Now you'll have to be able to see the monitor/tv/projector too in order to see what's on it, but that shouldn't be too tough.
-cpd
 

Tech I see using, Tablet PC (if the price drops).

Tech I wish I had was on ESPNs Bassmaster fishing show, projection from below the table with writing/art like John Madden!
 

I was going to say, projectors aren't exactly a cheap solution... a worthwhile one WILL cost you more than your computer.

Most modern laptops and some modern video cards have an s-video jack, which some modern TVs (and other multimedia equipment) have inputs for. I could throw my laptop up on my TV screen if I wanted.

The thing is with most of these things is that most of them show precisely what is on your computer screen, so there is no separate view.

As for software, CC2 (and I think FM) have layer switching, as do more sophisticated modern paint programs (like paintshop, etc.), so switching between player and DM views is usually a snap.
 

I'm kind of against too many high-tech toys at the gaming table. Not only are they expensive and cumbersome, but they defeat some of the charm of a pnp rpg. I like being able to contain an entire world in a single backpack with just books, paper, dice, pencils, and maybe some counters. The most high-tech thing we have at the table is a calculator. If the game gets so complicated that a laptop is required, we might as well bring some LAN cables and play a game of Neverwinter Nights.

Don't get me wrong- computers are valuable tools in game preparation- I have a copy of Campaign Cartographer that I use quite a bit, and lets not forget the wealth of info on the net, and the online communities like you fine people (although I'm more of a lurker myself). However, I would like to be able to play my games by candlelight during a black-out if need be. End Boring Rant.

But to address your question finally, I feel your pain. Drawing the map on a big vinyl pad is time consuming, and breaks up the rythym of the game. As buttercup mentioned, I nice lo-tek solution is to chop up the map and lay it down in tiles. Depending on how big you make the sections, you might still end up revealing too much, but maybe you could leave certain areas blank and draw them in as they're found.

Another lo-tek method might be to draw the entire map on graph paper. Lay it down in a shallow cardboard box, and sprinkle some flour on it. Use your finger to wipe away the flour as the dungeon is explored.
Mind you, I haven't tried any of these methods. If the flour idea doesn't work, bake some cookies with it. :p
 

I forget the name of it but a program already exists that will chunk up a map and display pieces of this map to the players. Then you get a computer --> overhead display modifier and you're off and running. However, why not just make a map and then cut pieces of poster board out. Then you just lay the map on the overhead and remove pieces of the posterboard.

The truly evil GM doesn't have this problem though as we make the PCs draw their own map.
 

Theromtank...

I myself have been thinking about something like this to.

My plan was to prchase a projector. (which seem to be a little over a grand right now) and hook it up to my laptop.

The plan is (this is part of my ultimate gaming room) to have the game board/table be a nice flat white, like a movie screen. Have the projector mounted on the ceiling pointed down to display the maps at proper size for minis.

MY hope is to use the dual moitor feature of my laptop to have one screen (the projector) show the map while the other shows the rest of my info.

For the maps I plan to use Adobe Photoshops Layers feature. As long as you don't have the program window maxiumized you could keep all the controls on the hidden screen, including the layers palet. PS also has a navigator palet you can use to look at the map/pic with out looking at the table. The trick would be putting your layers in the right order and having them labled clearly.

I also would hope to be able to use pre set images for spell effects. That way you can show right where that Web or Blade barrier are sitting, or who is in that 60ft cone Mind Blast.

If I get really lucky the projector will be good enought to do movies with by just swinging it up to aim at the screen on the far wall. (this way the money elf doesn't fight me as much on it :D )

JDragon

As you can see I have spent way to much time thinking about this.
 

Unless you want to have a projected map for reference and a second map to use as a playing surface (assuming you use minis, of course), I think sticking with a tabletop map is best.

Our DM's girlfriend (who is a pretty snappy cartographer) draws up our maps on very large graph paper - 3' x 4' with 1" squares - before the game. Then the DM covers up discrete portions of the map with black construction paper, tapes it down, and reveals things area by area as we play. This is the best method that I have encountered thus far.

JDragon's idea of projecting a scale map on the table sounds like it would work, if you can afford it. I think there's a lot to be said for the low-tech pen-and-paper approach, though.
 

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