Mapping programs, Do you use them?

[boredgremlin]

Okay i have been DMing for a few years now and like most people i started out doing it by hand. I have just recently started looking for online aids and computer program aids to make DM prep easier and i have found a ton of mapping programs online. Now i am not really a computer pro or anything and some of them have turned out to be far more trouble then they are worth.

So my question is this.... Do other DM's out there use computer programs for maps, NPC's etc? And if so what programs do you all reccommend and why?

 

[Pinotage]

Given that I only play PbP, computer mapping programmes are part and parcel of the game. In the past I've used Dungeoncrafter, Interactive Dungeon, AutoRealm, and some others, but in the old end I settled on using my own Java written mapping program, mainly because it was the only thing that supported 32x32 pixel tiles. The others are good though, and my vote would go for Dungeoncrafter for ease of use, although it doesn't have the nice features of the other two.

Pinotage

 

[Hand of Evil]

I think you will find there is two camps here, those that do and does that don't, I mostly use CC2-Pro for my campaign maps, for my dungeons and such; I use hand drawn, vendor products, or someone elses maps (see threads in my sig). I have found that you get out what you put into a software package, the more time you are willing to spend with it, is worth the effort and materials you get out BUT if you do not have the time...

There are more talented people than I out there...I am thankful that they are.

 

[Psion]

I use CC2 Pro and Fractal Terrains by ProFantasy for my campaign maps. CC2 is powerful, and I do a fair amount of world building and Fractal Terrains makes that task trivial and fun. Whole worlds at the touch of a button, ready for you to populate.

For cities and towns, I make a few of my own, but generally find the FR Atlas product a motherlode of stealable material. Just rename things to fit your game.

If I am going after something specific dungeon/building wise, I'll map it myself in CC2 Pro, otherwise I really don't have time. I use maps from published products, WotC's map-a-week, and 0one games adjustable maps because they are cheap.

 

[diaglo]

pen, pencil, eraser, graph paper.

on the Computer i have CC2. but never use it

 

[wingnut_dc]

If I am going to post the map online or it is the world/region/local map the players use in game, then I will use a color version created with photoshop. If it is one that the players will never see, I will just sketch it out on a piece of paper.

 

[jdrakeh]

I typically use a combination of several programs to create maps, including AutoRealm, Photoshop, and MS Paint.

 

[boredgremlin]

Lol damn and i was hoping for a solid concensus. Looks like people have a lot of different ideas.

Well for people who do use computer programs to assist thier gaming how much help is it really, does it make it a lot easier? Or just a lot neater looking on paper?

 

[Glyfair]

Lol damn and i was hoping for a solid concensus. Looks like people have a lot of different ideas.

Well for people who do use computer programs to assist thier gaming how much help is it really, does it make it a lot easier? Or just a lot neater looking on paper?

The strongest advantage to a map making program is variations. For example, for my old campaign map I had a "GM only" layer that I would hide for players. My version had it showing. If I wanted to show a map 1000 years in the past, I could open up the file, erase certain bits and insert others. I didn't have to worry about inconsistancies (or could put them in, if appropriate).

Also, I have the Forgotten Realms Atlas. That has given me literally hunderds of maps I can use and modify for any game I'm running. If I need an inn for a barroom brawl, I can bring one up, modify it and even print it out at battlemap scale.

 

[jdrakeh]

Well for people who do use computer programs to assist thier gaming how much help is it really, does it make it a lot easier?

It save me a lot of time and makes e-distribution easier.

Or just a lot neater looking on paper?

I actually find that it looks far less 'neat' on paper, in that computer-generated maps (with rare exceptions) look like computer-generated maps. They're typically more utilitarian than hand-drawn maps, but lack the charm or ability to instill as much atmosphere.

[Edit: I've attached a map from my forthcoming Aztec-inspired fantasy setting, Teutini. This map was created by heavily altering a satellite photo of Antarcitca in both Photoshop and Paint.]