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Message: <blockquote data-quote="lulzapalooza" data-source="post: 5712220" data-attributes="member: 56093">A tool a lot of people don't exploit to the fullest is Microsoft Excel; change the cells width and height to be roughly a square and use the borders and lines function to draw in what you need. Use quick-shapes as icons. You can make very nice black and white maps in about five minutes. It works best for battlemap square maps, though, not continent scale maps.Also, learn to use GIMP or Photoshop to make very easy very customizable maps which look close to professional caliber. It takes awhile to get good, but <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/www.cartographersguild.com" target="_blank">www.cartographersguild.com</a><a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/www.cartographersguild.com" target="_blank">http://www.enworld.org/forum/www.cartographersguild.com</a> has tutorials to help the newbie.In addition to excel, GIMP, or a vector program like AutoRealm, I think everyone should have a copy of the awesome CAD program, Google SketchUp to make 3D models of their environment. Learn to use the program even moderately well, and you can make fully three-dimensional environments, massive dungeons even, which can be converted into a flat blue-print style architects design which can be printed out to almost any scale and to a PDF. Once you've got the PDF it's simply a matter of overlaying a 1-inch square, printing, and you've got yourself the best, most detailed battle map possible.Also, SketchUp is great if you're bored, because it's fun to use too. Create a massive temple to Cthulhu on your lunch break, export to blueprint, and start planning!All of these programs are either free or already on your computer.</blockquote>

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