Dungeon tiles and battle map issues – help?

[Nebulous]

You still have to make all the maps by hand, and then set up the FOW. This is very time consuming, no?

No, not really. There are literally HUNDREDS of fan-made maps available online. Finding one exactly specific to what you're looking for can be a little trickier. I've never used Dunjinni myself so i can't say how easy it is to use.

 

[Nebulous]

Combining a projector with a virtual battlemat (i.e., a virtual tabletop program, like the one in my sig) is the way to go for the ultimate gaming setup, IMO. Given that a serviceable projector can be had for around $500, a 5-person gaming group could each chip in $100 to buy it. Then you project down onto a table and use real minis on the projected map.

Any suggestions on the power of the bulb ideal for a top down projector?
I would want maximum clarity of the image, naturally. I had also though about just editing a map in Photoshop and displaying that in a one-inch grid on the table. Would be easy enough too. You could create a layer mask in black and just erase it as you go to display the map beneath. Instant fog of war.

 

[heruca]

Any suggestions on the power of the bulb ideal for a top down projector?

I would ask Steel Wind, the expert on projectors in gaming, on this thread.

And yes, you could shoehorn a high-priced graphic editing program into handling Fog of War in an RPG game. Apparently, a number of people do.

And I suppose you could use a media player like iTunes to play sound effects or background music.

Or, you could do all that in an inexpensive program that's tailor-made for RPGs and for full-screen projector use.

 

[AstroCat]

The problem with a projector, and I do already have one in my home theater next to the gaming area, is the throw distance. I'd be better off with a 42" LCD panel in the table but I'm not sure this is the best bet at this time.

I did some work on taking scanned/.pdf images out of a module and printing them as 11x17 sheets after some photoshop work. It wasn't too bad...so that still might be an option to consider.

Another thing with a projector, even a high lumens one is the darkening of the room. If it's too dark people get sleepy, especially on a work night.

One day a flat panel table set up might be pretty darn awesome, but this tech is not quite there yet for price/performance.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

I have been running the War of the Burning Sky, which has a number of battle-maps published in pdf format. I have been using the Gamer Printshop to get them printed up in full scale.

For the 'fog of battle' issue, I have used a number of blank paper and 3x5 cards taped strategically on the map that can be removed to reveal more areas. So far it has worked quite well.


Of course, the WoBS has some pretty huge battle areas and tends to have alot of interesting terrain.

I really like the Gamer Printshops endless terrain maps and have used them successfully for merry chase scenes that covered quite a few table lengths

See link below for more on both WoBS and Gamer Printshop

 

[Nebulous]

I did some work on taking scanned/.pdf images out of a module and printing them as 11x17 sheets after some photoshop work. It wasn't too bad...so that still might be an option to consider.

One day a flat panel table set up might be pretty darn awesome, but this tech is not quite there yet for price/performance.

Oh yeah, i've been scanning and printing for some time, it's just time consuming. But fun anyway, just part of the hobby i suppose. I actually made the whole first two levels from Keep on the Shadowfell that didn't come bundled with the adventure. It looked really good.

And i agree, an LCD table would be ideal, but prohibitively expensive right now.

 

[AstroCat]

Oh yeah, i've been scanning and printing for some time, it's just time consuming. But fun anyway, just part of the hobby i suppose. I actually made the whole first two levels from Keep on the Shadowfell that didn't come bundled with the adventure. It looked really good.

And i agree, an LCD table would be ideal, but prohibitively expensive right now.

Hey, you don't happen to still have the scanned map files for Keep on the Shadowfell? I'd be very interested in getting a copy if I could.

Of course I own KoTS, but man this would save me a ton of time. Maybe something I could trade for them or something?

Thanks!