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Do people want hand-drawn maps anymore?
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<blockquote data-quote="psyekl" data-source="post: 1639242" data-attributes="member: 21025"><p>A note to the reader: In this post I'm focusing on published works, and am by no means picking on any computer artist/cartographer. Not everyone has the time, patience or skill to make detailed maps by hand, and I've seen many fantastic maps/floorplans done on the computer. I'm merely asking for an opinion regarding this train of thought. </p><p></p><p>I've always preferred hand-drawn maps over computer generated, but with the speed and accuracy of the newer cartography programs it's no longer practical to pay an artist to spend days on a map by hand that can be done in hours on a computer. Does anyone even want hand-drawn maps anymore?</p><p> </p><p>As a draftsman I recognize the value of being able to produce work accurately and quickly, but for games and stories that rely on setting a mood to enhance the imagination of the players/readers, I actuallly think it's important that the maps fit the genre. While computer-generated maps and floorplans are great for modern settings, I'm of the opinion that fantasy settings should have at least some hand-drawn maps (especially the main maps and player's maps).</p><p></p><p>I do use AutoCAD for some of my fantasy drawings because it does allow for a level of detail not normally seen in Campaign Cartographer or similar programs, and if done right will not look too "perfect". Ultimately I end up drawing my fantasy floorplans by hand, and while they take a week or two to complete the finished product is much more appealing. I've never tried to use a computer for mapping, and I've been known to work up to 200 hours on a single map. This may not be practical for working within a deadline, but the results are far better in my opinion. I've included some of my work if you're curious (who am I kidding, I just want to show off)!</p><p></p><p>I for one would like to see more hand-drawn maps and floorplans!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="psyekl, post: 1639242, member: 21025"] A note to the reader: In this post I'm focusing on published works, and am by no means picking on any computer artist/cartographer. Not everyone has the time, patience or skill to make detailed maps by hand, and I've seen many fantastic maps/floorplans done on the computer. I'm merely asking for an opinion regarding this train of thought. I've always preferred hand-drawn maps over computer generated, but with the speed and accuracy of the newer cartography programs it's no longer practical to pay an artist to spend days on a map by hand that can be done in hours on a computer. Does anyone even want hand-drawn maps anymore? As a draftsman I recognize the value of being able to produce work accurately and quickly, but for games and stories that rely on setting a mood to enhance the imagination of the players/readers, I actuallly think it's important that the maps fit the genre. While computer-generated maps and floorplans are great for modern settings, I'm of the opinion that fantasy settings should have at least some hand-drawn maps (especially the main maps and player's maps). I do use AutoCAD for some of my fantasy drawings because it does allow for a level of detail not normally seen in Campaign Cartographer or similar programs, and if done right will not look too "perfect". Ultimately I end up drawing my fantasy floorplans by hand, and while they take a week or two to complete the finished product is much more appealing. I've never tried to use a computer for mapping, and I've been known to work up to 200 hours on a single map. This may not be practical for working within a deadline, but the results are far better in my opinion. I've included some of my work if you're curious (who am I kidding, I just want to show off)! I for one would like to see more hand-drawn maps and floorplans! [/QUOTE]
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