Mapper software

[Pehu]

Hello,

I am wondering, if there is any mapper software available, that I could use with my D&D sessions. HEre is what I basically mean:

Players are exploring a dungeon. I could use a TV or projector to beam a map to the wall, where people could see where the party is at the moment. When they explore the dungeon further, more is revealed. There is klooge.inc software that actually does that, but it is designed to work in the network, I am looking for single computer/laptop software.

Is there ANY software who does things like that? The idea is to get rid of the paper map, so that all people could follow easily where the party is going. Either from TV or projected image.

It would be nice to have an utility like that. If someone is interested in making such, I am eager to contribute spefications etc (cant code myself).

Yours,

Pekka

 

[Max]

I've never used it, but Mapster might be what you are looking for. You can find it in the ENWorld Electronic Utilities page. There is a link on the main page.

Here is what the Mapster User's Guide says about itself:

"First and foremost, Mapster doesn't create the maps for you. If that's what you're looking for here then you should get a program like Dungeon Crafter or other similar program. If you're looking for a utility that helps your players understand what in the world the cave in the above example looks like then by
all means, continue. Second, if this is your first time using Mapster, please read the entire Users Guide before you try to use the program. I realize that it is long, but it will be to your benefit to read it first. Afterwards you canuse it as a reference if you have any questions.

When my group started playing Dungeons and Dragons 3E, we would always map out all the Dungeons. That's not so new. I would assume that every group does. However, we found it difficult for the DM to tell us exactly what the area was
shaped like, the dimensions, and such. We thought that if the players could see just that section of the map then it would make things much easier. Well, that's exactly what Mapster is for. Mapster will allow you to load an image, and separate it into areas. Then when your PCs enter room 42, you can
uncover just room 42 so that they can see it for themselves. On the other hand if you want to get complex you can uncover room 42 as it is seen from the eastern entrance. Then rather than having to explain the room to them the person keeping the map they can see for themselves and copy it. Also when you
describe the look of the room you can use the image to show where things are like doors, debris, furniture, dead bodies, monsters, etc. It's incredibly useful when you are in rough-hewn caves and such. Then the player can sketch a rough estimate of what the area is shaped like by seeing it rather than a jagged
rectangular box. There is also protection that keeps your players from looking at areas they shouldn't. As well, as an option to flip in and out of edit mode with a simple DM's password."

Hope this is helpful.

Max

 

[Pehu]

Thanks Max, that program is yet the best effort I have seen for what I am looking for. I need to test it a bit and see if it is usable at the campaign.

If there are any more of such software aids (programs) available, all hints and suggestions are welcomed!

Pekka

 

[DM]

Players are exploring a dungeon. I could use a TV or projector to beam a map to the wall, where people could see where the party is at the moment. When they explore the dungeon further, more is revealed.

Actually, that’s exactly how we play with kLoOge.Werks. We have the master on one side of the room (the DM), while the players computer is on the other side of the room outputting to a T.V. that everyone can see. Whoever the caller is “drives” (controls the client computer) the party around, controls who they target, ect. Granted, you do need to be on a local area network to do this, but doing with only one computer to a projector or T.V. is a lot harder to manage than you may think. I’d encourage you to try Mapster out and try Werks’s demo version too. I think you’ll find that Werks is much easier to use and manages your campaign a lot better.

 

[Pehu]

I also found a new software, tabletop mapper, which suits a bit better to my needs. It lacks quite a bit of "reasonable" funtionality, but will do for a moment.

Glooke.werks is maybe a bit too complex for such a simple use. And you need to have a local area network, which is not so easy to arrange in my case (WLAN or cable). Also, it is a bit too expensive to be used in just mapping efforts - the pricing is acceptable if all the features would be used, but for simple mapping, no reason to pay that much.

Maybe I need to make some spesifications and there might be some people who could take up to the challenge and make such an utility. I see that there is a clear need for such program, that could eliminate the paper map. Those products in "the market" are either too complex (as they are designed for other purposes) or lack basic functionality.

Well, maybe on the next work trip I have the time to write something down, and we shall see if it bears any fruit

Pekka

 

[deltacoder]

I use TableTopMapper as well, and I like it a lot - it has just the right amount of features and ease of use for what I need to do. I have a separate DM program running on my own laptop (one I programmed myself) and then TTM running on a player's laptop. It works great.

I'm still working on the aforemention DM's utility - maybe I'll incorporate my own mapper into it. laterz