Mapping Techniques

[Phowett]

Alright, now has come a time that I want to update the map of my world into a cleaner looking, but more detailed map. What I've tried was that I took the outline of one of my continents, scanned it onto the computer, and began trying to detail it with the FRCS's style of mapping, but I horribly messed it up in Photoshop and made it look ugly.

What I'm interested in is how you folks make your maps. So how do you? What are your techniques and styles? Can I see a preview of one of your maps?

 

[Crothian]

I mostly do them by hand on graph paper and then photo copy them for PCs.

 

[Block]

I am the same as Crothian. I hand draw that maps on graph paper and photocopy them, or somtimes draw a second copy of the map.

 

[Munin]

I create the map in CC2, then draw out the gameplay map by hand.

I use the CC2 map as a master copy, and keep it for my own reference. The map I hand the players will have a lot less information, and maybe even some errors, depending on the skill of the in-game mapsmith.
I also personalize the map by putting water and coffee stains on it, baking it in the sun..etc, anything to age it.

I basically feel that computer generated maps kill the mood of the game, hand-draw maps are much preferred.

 

[Phowett]

Well, I'm not making the maps for the players. I'm basicly compiling all the work I have on my world and trying to make a Campaign Setting Book. So I'm pretty much want a good-looking map.

Heh, for the players I do the same thing. I use coffee stained paper bag maps of wherever for in-game use.

 

[Sidran]

This is my map I drew on the Paint program...

 

[gpetruc]

I usually use AutoRealm for the maps. It tends to become sluggish when the map is big, but anway it has many of CC2 features and it's free.

 

[Buttercup]

I've used CC2, but never successfully, Autorealm and Fractal Mapper. None of them produce quite the results I want, so I've gone back to hand-drawing. For my own copy, I use graph paper, and then scan it in and make multiple copies so I can write all over it. For the players, I have a beautiful ink and water color thing that I've almost completed. I went to an art supply store and bought a piece of hand made paper that is very primitive looking. Although their map is lovely, it's not accurate. They're going to end up paying a great deal of money for it, only to find that many things aren't quite right. But that's the way it is in a pseudo-medieval society.

 

[elrichwizard]

I also use cc2. The FR interactive atlas was done using CC2 as well. Symbol set 1 has hand drawn style symbols that are great for player handouts. Check them out at ProFantasy.com
IMO CC2 is the standard for RPG maping

 

[rln]

Aging paper?

So, does anyone have any idea on how to age paper?

I would like to print some drawings and then age the paper so it loks old and worn. Since I've never done anything like this before, I'd plan to wrinkle up the paper into a ball, flatten it, soak it in (US-strength ) coffee and hang it up to dry. Does anyone have other tips? I do NOT want it to fall to pieces at the game table.

Any other ideas?