Making Cool Maps

[Arravis]

I had to lower the resolution considerably to get it to fit (and it's badly compressed), ugh

 

[rounser]

That's very pretty indeed, but it also looks like a lot of work. What tools do you use in particular to speed up mapping in Photoshop?

 

[Arravis]

Well, once I've made an image in photoshop, I can use it and re-use it as needed. I can also make slight changes to it to make it look different so it doesn't look too repetitive. It is a slow process though, I will admit.

 

[Darraketh]

Arravis that map does look good! But I know it is time consuming. However for a unique and well polished look that would be the way to go.

I like HexMapper because is so darn simple. Point and click, type in a few labels and you're done. And since it is a hex map I find it even more useful. If I want I can assign each hex a grid number and keep notes on each hex. Like a random encounter table for that particular hex.

Hey you're handy with photoshop I know you could make some really nice hexes!

Well here is my little collection. I admit some of them are crap but I think I have a few winners. But here's the dirty little secret... most are captures from PC games that I have beat into shape. Some of the symbols are from various wingding type fonts. Some of the text is done with a shadow color and the same text in a top color placed slightly offset.

 

[Arravis]

You made all those tiles? They are great

 

[Darraketh]

Well... I didn't make all of them. Some are still the originals that came with the program.

You know... I should have put a "read me" in that zip file.

If you want to use the custom tiles I suggest backing up everything in the existing "Hexes" directory including hexlist.txt. I just made a seperate directory and moved the originals there.

Now you can unzip the custom tiles into the "Hexes" directory. I created a new hexlist so you will be able to run the program and the new tiles will be available.

BTW The map I posted was converted to a PNG. That saved alot of bytes.

 

[rounser]

Some black and white tiles for printing out on non-colour printers would be a good project for Hexmapper...or do the colour tiles print out well in greyscale as it is?

 

[Arravis]

I would be glad to upload some of my Photoshop files for those that are interested, but I would need someone to host the rather large files .

 

[Spoof]

Arravis that map does look good! But I know it is time consuming. However for a unique and well polished look that would be the way to go.

I like HexMapper because is so darn simple. Point and click, type in a few labels and you're done. And since it is a hex map I find it even more useful. If I want I can assign each hex a grid number and keep notes on each hex. Like a random encounter table for that particular hex.

Hey you're handy with photoshop I know you could make some really nice hexes!

Well here is my little collection. I admit some of them are crap but I think I have a few winners. But here's the dirty little secret... most are captures from PC games that I have beat into shape. Some of the symbols are from various wingding type fonts. Some of the text is done with a shadow color and the same text in a top color placed slightly offset.

Hey how did you add the icons to the program. I can make the tiles but I have no idea how to get the program to find them. I know it has to do with teh Tile list notepad that is there, I just do not know how to add them on.

Such as I make a tile saved as "Fire Sword" how do I get it on the notepad in such a way that the program will find it?

 

[Darraketh]

Hey how did you add the icons to the program. I can make the tiles but I have no idea how to get the program to find them. I know it has to do with teh Tile list notepad that is there, I just do not know how to add them on.

Such as I make a tile saved as "Fire Sword" how do I get it on the notepad in such a way that the program will find it?

Well... when you look at the text file the first word is the description of the tile. When a tile is selected it's description appears in on the status bar of the program.

Next is the tile's identifier followed by the tile's file name. The identifier must begin at column 50 from the lines beginning. Spaces only. No tabs!

While the description can be anything you want the identifier has a format.

T is for terrain tiles and H is for the overlays like the village and lair tiles. Three digits giving each tile a unique number follow this. The file name of the tile follows the number. No spaces.

Example:
Farmland T001farmland.bmp

The identifier “T001farmland.bmp” must begin at column 50!


Also you will notice a small black box on the last line of the text file if you are using notepad. DO NOT delete this! It is the end of file marker and is necessary for the program to read the file properly.

I hope this helps. And by all means post your custom tiles… please.


And no rounser I haven't tried to print a map in black and white yet but that is a good suggestion.