Mapping programs, Do you use them?

[Glyfair]

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.

I disagree. That's true if you have artistic ability when you draw the map (and probably less true if you have a lot of artistic ability, but then you might not need a specific map making program).

However, my hand-drawn maps look like lines on a sheet of paper. Atmosphere? No, not really. Charm? Definitely not.

 

[Hand of Evil]

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?

Editting is nice, pull up a map and build a road, change borders, change the coast line, create a swamp, place some ruins where a tavern use to be...reprints, emailing, a program makes that easier.

 

[ssampier]

I disagree. That's true if you have artistic ability when you draw the map (and probably less true if you have a lot of artistic ability, but then you might not need a specific map making program).

However, my hand-drawn maps look like lines on a sheet of paper. Atmosphere? No, not really. Charm? Definitely not.

I agree. I'd like my maps to actually look like maps. My hand drawn maps are limited by my drawing ability (which stinks, IMHO). I'm hoping a combination of AutoRealm and Paint Shop Pro can give my maps some "punch". My players can then comment, "Awesome map," rather than asking, "What's this wavy line?"

Of course, with computer programs, you could produce an "okay" map in 10 minutes or less, just as with hand-drawn maps you could place all terrain elements in convenient hex-sized shapes. The program isn't to blame, often it can be linked the time and effort used to create the map.

 

[Maldin]

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?

Well, if you'd like to further cloud the topic with more opinion, check out my "Guide to RPG Mapmaking" webpage on my website at... http://melkot.com/mechanics/map-guide.html
I say more there on the topic then I could ever hope to cover in a message-board post. ;-)

Denis, aka "Maldin"
===================================
Maldin's Greyhawk http://melkot.com

 

[Vraille Darkfang]

I use AutoCAD.

But, then I've spent years learning how to use it.

I might get better results using CC2 or some other program, but I don't have the time to learn it. I get just as useful (perhaps more so), if not as pretty, maps.

 

[jdrakeh]

I disagree. That's true if you have artistic ability when you draw the map (and probably less true if you have a lot of artistic ability, but then you might not need a specific map making program).

Ah. Well that would be the deciding factor, I guess - I have several years of formal art instruction, and when I draw a map it looks like a map. I typically use period-appropriate paper and ink, as well a real quill when I can. I find most computer-generated maps to look sterile and unnaturally free of artifacts (there are, of course, rare exceptions as I mentioend earlier).

All of that having been said, hand-inking maps on sheets of artificial vellum with an actual quill pen is incredibly time consuming. I haven't actually hand-drawn a map since... ah.. 1997, I think... for this very reason (and that one was actually drawn on a 3'x5' sheet of graph paper, inked with a fountain pen, and colored with pencil). Computer maps offer a lot of convenience but, at least for me, they lack the feel that a hand-inked map conveys.

 

[Man in the Funny Hat]

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?

I use CC2 and would never use anything else. But, my recommendation of it has to be tempered. It isn't everyones cup of tea. First is the fact that it typically requires a certain amount of initial learning time. It isn't difficult to learn but it does require effort, generally just so that you can finally "get it" as to how/why it does what it does. It's not uncommon that you will hear that people buy it, try it briefly, get too easily frustrated, leave it for months or a year, then go back to try it again, and LOVE it.

People that use CC2 seem to handle making maps as almost a seperate, but related hobby to gaming. If that's you then CC2 is your software of choice and the more you put into it the more you get out of it. Also if you are looking to be making large-scale campaign maps, and maps of decent-sized dungeons, castles and buildings. If all you want is tactical maps for ENCOUNTERS then CC2 may not be what you want or need.

CC2 continues to improve all the time, it has an amazing user community that is willing to help in any way and the actual Customer Service from Profantasy is absolutely stellar. What it can't do is make maps FOR you and that seems to almost be what some people sort of expect from it. CC2 is really just a very specialized CAD program. That gives it strengths and capabilities that other map-making software just can't hope to hold a candle to.

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

Lately I just use (Insert Cartographer Here). I've tried just about all of the mapping programs out there, but to get something that looks GOOD, you've got a bit of a learning curve to deal with. Too much learning curve, for me.

So lately, for my D&D games, more and more I've been enjoying the boxed mega-modules ... which come with all the maps. For my homebrews I honestly depend on the imaginations of my cast: My last homebrew world had a single map, created with Fractal Mapper, which was a mid-sized image of a planet that I'd put together. Had forests and plains (different green colors) and deserts and rivers and the like, but the map lived almost entirely in its print-out version. I have a single copy of it, somewhere, with inked-in cities and city names and the like.

Beyond that, for adventure-locales, I just found free maps online and edited them up in Photoshop (at least I have some skillz there).

One reason I really prefer modern-day era games ... Google Maps does all my cartography for me! Bring up a city somewhere, print out a map, there you go. I can even locate and point out local businesses and such on the fly with my laptop and a wifi connection.

--fje

 

[Penfencer]

I tend to do a lot of my campaign prep in strange places, like in the school cafeteria or during boring class lectures, so it's just easier (and quicker) for me to sketch out my maps on graph paper or drawing paper. On the rare instances that I have used a campaign-map maker, I've enjoyed AutoREALM the most.

 

[The Hound]

I generally only use mapping programs when I play online. But I usually sketch things out on a piece of paper beforehand. For tabletop I just use pencil and paper for my own notes and a copier for handouts, plus a piece of ereaseable white board laid on the table. I think it's faster and easier.