Angel Tarragon
Dawn Dragon
I love Computer aidied drawn maps. The Forgotten Realms and Greyhawk maps from Dragon and Dungeom Magazine are absolutely gorgeous.
Hand Drawn or Computer Maps
- Thread starter Raven Crowking
- Start date
megamania
Hero
Maps need to be clear and done correctly. For the DMs use it must be clear thus computers are the best deal.
HOWEVER-
If the PCs have a "treasure map" I think it adds to the game to hand draw it and then beat the paper and smear ketchup on it (fake blood) and give it that weathered look. Sometimes I'll even do it on cloth. Darksun's first boxed set did that which was great.
HOWEVER-
If the PCs have a "treasure map" I think it adds to the game to hand draw it and then beat the paper and smear ketchup on it (fake blood) and give it that weathered look. Sometimes I'll even do it on cloth. Darksun's first boxed set did that which was great.
Tatsukun
Danjin Masutaa
I don't care how it's made, I only care that it's TO SCALE ! !
I have run too many modules with beautiful maps full of 7.5' hallways and 8'10" doors (as far as I could tell from the map).
That's a major, major pain in the rear! For small areas, all I want is a map I can reproduce on my battle mat.
That said, for things like the world map, which will never be drawn on my battle mat, I just want pretty.
-Tatsu
I have run too many modules with beautiful maps full of 7.5' hallways and 8'10" doors (as far as I could tell from the map).
That's a major, major pain in the rear! For small areas, all I want is a map I can reproduce on my battle mat.
That said, for things like the world map, which will never be drawn on my battle mat, I just want pretty.
-Tatsu
GrendelKhan
First Post
I like to use both.
I prefer hand drawn if done by a good artist/cartographer. But, really, as long as it looks good and is usable, I'm open to either.
the Jester
Legend
I generally prefer hand-drawn over computer-drawn.
Steel_Wind
Legend
Like others above, I feel this is a question of quality.
If by "computer drawn" you mean CC2 or Dungeon designer, than no, I am not a fan of the maps those particular programs produce.
Otoh, 3dsmax and photosop can create some AMAZING artwork. It can also create some poor efforts as well. Some of the early map of the week maps over on the Wizard's site that were created by an artist who was just learning 3dsmax are iffy.
Hand drawn maps I judge on their own merits. Some are excellent, some iffy - others frequently poor.
The best overland cartographer I think was Peter Fenlon, the former owner of ICE who created the various region maps for Middle Earth in ICE's old Middle Earth product line. Now *that* was some excellent mapwork. Other than Fenlon, ICE used a german artist whose name escapes me who was extremely talented at this style as well.
I agree that the map of the Tournament grounds in Dragon #299 is a fine example of a good hand drawn map as well.
Either approach can lead to excellent results; however, if the question is "Do you mind maps generated in CC2 or perhaps Dundjinni?" the answer is "Yes and probably," respectively.
If by "computer drawn" you mean CC2 or Dungeon designer, than no, I am not a fan of the maps those particular programs produce.
Otoh, 3dsmax and photosop can create some AMAZING artwork. It can also create some poor efforts as well. Some of the early map of the week maps over on the Wizard's site that were created by an artist who was just learning 3dsmax are iffy.
Hand drawn maps I judge on their own merits. Some are excellent, some iffy - others frequently poor.
The best overland cartographer I think was Peter Fenlon, the former owner of ICE who created the various region maps for Middle Earth in ICE's old Middle Earth product line. Now *that* was some excellent mapwork. Other than Fenlon, ICE used a german artist whose name escapes me who was extremely talented at this style as well.
I agree that the map of the Tournament grounds in Dragon #299 is a fine example of a good hand drawn map as well.
Either approach can lead to excellent results; however, if the question is "Do you mind maps generated in CC2 or perhaps Dundjinni?" the answer is "Yes and probably," respectively.
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