Hi, need some advice!
- Thread starter Hurricain
- Start date
Karl Green
First Post
I made some real basic ones with Photodraw. they are fast to make and pretty loose on the distance, etc. Sorry can't help more 
I wish I was more creative myself
I wish I was more creative myself
Festy_Dog
First Post
I remember in one game I played the DM used Adobe software to make the kewlest maps I'd ever seen. Adobe stuff's expensive though, unless you have 'other means' of getting it. Other things I've seen done is making a map on paper (usually the kind covered in squares, for mathsy stuff) and scanning it, or just making a basic one with text:
eg.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
Not very nice to look at but it works in a bind.
eg.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
Not very nice to look at but it works in a bind.
Erekose13
Explorer
an easy one for dungeons that doesnt require using any special software is to use Excel.
first make all the field widths the same width as height (18px). then use the table borders to create the dungeon walls. add in characters and viola. if you want it to look more like a picture than still an excel file, just CTRL+PRINT SCREEN and paste that into either a graphics program or even word.
if you do have access to a graphics program like adobe's photoshop elements (scaled down version of photoshop without the heavy price tag) then you can use layers (i think it has layers) to create simple maps that are very functional. they allow you to move the pieces around from round to round really easily.
i have included two maps below as examples. another source is to use maps available online such as wotc's map of the week.
first make all the field widths the same width as height (18px). then use the table borders to create the dungeon walls. add in characters and viola. if you want it to look more like a picture than still an excel file, just CTRL+PRINT SCREEN and paste that into either a graphics program or even word.
if you do have access to a graphics program like adobe's photoshop elements (scaled down version of photoshop without the heavy price tag) then you can use layers (i think it has layers) to create simple maps that are very functional. they allow you to move the pieces around from round to round really easily.
i have included two maps below as examples. another source is to use maps available online such as wotc's map of the week.
doghead
thotd
For what its worth, I think .jpg or .gif is a better format than .doc. The former don't require access to any particular software.
I've done some simple maps with drawing programs. Layers are good - they allow you to move the charcaters around without redoing the map. There are some simple draw programs available for download at Download dot com.
But I would go the draw by hand and scan route if it was open to me. Its easier to get the feel that you want that way.
If you use the text approach, Courier font gives you equal spacing for each 'character'. So its easier to keep things true to the grid.
good luck
I've done some simple maps with drawing programs. Layers are good - they allow you to move the charcaters around without redoing the map. There are some simple draw programs available for download at Download dot com.
But I would go the draw by hand and scan route if it was open to me. Its easier to get the feel that you want that way.
If you use the text approach, Courier font gives you equal spacing for each 'character'. So its easier to keep things true to the grid.
good luck
Graywolf-ELM
Explorer
You might consider drawing upon the large amount of maps that are pre-made and freely given. The Art section here on Enworld has at least one thread, done by an enworlder, where he posts weekly maps of all sorts. The Wizards website has archived maps back through 2000 I believe, which you can use. Now that said. You can download a free image manipulation program from almost anywhere, if your computer does not already have one, and make notes on the map, or different colored dots for characters & encounters. One of the good ones I know if, is the Gimp, for both Mac, Unix, linux and Microsoft. Google is your friend. It would take a little work, and as far as I know, the Gimp could be used to draw your own maps later on, when you are not spending so much time trying to keep the game going in interesting directions. Usually this is not a problem, as some of the players are quite skilled at prose and character interaction. I've seen some games carried by the players, with nary a post from the GM for weeks.
GW
Phineas Maps on Enworld
Wizards of the Coast-Maps
Gimp graphics program
GW
Phineas Maps on Enworld
Wizards of the Coast-Maps
Gimp graphics program
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