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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Sunaj2k3" data-source="post: 1822256" data-attributes="member: 12411">Cartography capers and papers....Vonschlick,I like to lurk at Necromancergames as well, but the site to go for business related queries seems to be rpg.net.  Given the numbers of publishers, cartographers, and folks in the rpg business that frequent that site, I'm sure you could find someone who could answer your question in a definite manner.From what I've observed, although different cartographers use different levels of computer finishing/manipulation, all of them seem to start with either a hand drawn image which is then photo/digitally manipulated/finished or start with an image created on a digital drawing pad.  As to whether they create beforehand or respond to the publisher, I suspect its the publisher who lays out what is desired (how many levels/rooms/theme/etc.).  How specific they get likely varies with the publisher, their relationship with the artist, and the product.      Having tried a few map scrawls myself, I can tell you it's no easy task.  A good, crisp, detailed dungeon map can take hours to draw, as can a poetic map or map that skillfully uses myriad details and colors (Darlene's Greyhawk maps being example #1).  For those with a digital bent to their cartography(Chuck McCann aka Crabclaw over on Mortality.net comes to mind) manipulating the multiple layers in a digital map using photoshop or a similar program to bring out that extra pizzaz can soak up even further hours.   I guess the short answer to your question is that cartography is expensive due to is craftsmanship piece-work nature.  Unlike writing, which seems to be paid cents per word or fraction of a cent per word, there seems little in the way of standard prices with cartography.  I may be wrong, but I suspect the better the artistry and fame of the cartographer, the higher the price he or she commands.  Also, the prices seem to vary based on the size and complexity of the map (a inset map of a room versus a half page or full page map of a dungeon level or a detailed world ) desired and whether its in color or no.  It seems that cartography is something a publisher skimps on at their peril.  I remember Rappan Athuk 1 from Necro getting knocked for indistinct/imprecise maps.  And while it may have worked 3 or 4 years ago, if I spot a d20 product nowadays that uses straight CC2 images with little manipulation or finishing or scans of dungeon tiles (as Dungeon Magazine did an issue or 3 ago with an Eberron adventure) its a definite demotivator to not buy that product.  For better or for worse, maps that combine functionality with artistry are what sells, and depending upon the artist, that kind of handiwork does not come cheap (and returning to Necro for a sec.--I cannot begin to imagine what the costs for the 18 full color poster sized maps in the Wilderlands set will run to (I assume that's what started you on this line of inquiry)--thousands of $$$ easily).Some talented folks you might want to poll or talk to:Clayton Bunce--www.morningstarillustration.com (very polite and very busy, his responses can sometimes take awhile)Jim Lassiter--www.castlewalls.us (very nice and usually very fast on responding to inquiries, check out his free castles and dungeons on dragonsfoot.com)Christopher West--www.velocity.net/~westinds/Eric Hotz--www.erichotz.comCraig Zipse--www.craigzipse.comShawn Brown--www.shawnbrown.comGrobius Shortling--www.marshmount.com Good luck,Sunaj2k3</blockquote>

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