Wizards and Dungeon Maps: Gridline madness

[3catcircus]

Ever since I discovered the CC2/Harn Mapping Project, I've created (or modified from existing modules) all of the interior maps to make them drawn in a Harn-style. Once you see a Harn-style interior map, you'll never go back. They are so much more descriptive and accurate, without the need for a grid. Most importantly, they are incredibly realistic - they'll draw all levels of a building, including the roof, the walls, floors and ceilings are drawn such that you know exactly what type of material they are made from, and you can tell the ceiling height and shape as well as the height above ground level of that particular building level. The only downside is the time you have to invest in creating them is significant.

 

[jester47]

And in this maelstrom of decay, ordinary men were battered and crushed... men like the Warrior MerricB... It was a time called the Gridline Nightmare...
(adapted from the road warrior best I could)

Aaron.

 

[Conaill]

Here's my own favorite "AAARGH!"-invoking map:

For goodness sake, why can't they just have a separate grid inside each of those corridors and rooms? There's NO reason why the grid has to be aligned across the entire map. Heck, on this one you can't even count how long some of the corridors are. If I were DM'ing this, I'd probably just get out my ruler. So why the frig did they bother putting a grid on it?

 

[Arnwyn]

The only downside is the time you have to invest in creating them is significant.

And no grid.

 

[3catcircus]

And no grid.

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear - *you* - the guy using CC2 to create Harnic maps - control whether or not you want a grid thrown down. I generally print out two maps - one with a grid for my use as a DM and one to show the players - no grid, secret stuff on a hidden layer, etc.

 

[dagger]

Don't have much to add, but I agree with you 100%.

Here's my own favorite "AAARGH!"-invoking map:


For goodness sake, why can't they just have a separate grid inside each of those corridors and rooms? There's NO reason why the grid has to be aligned across the entire map. Heck, on this one you can't even count how long some of the corridors are. If I were DM'ing this, I'd probably just get out my ruler. So why the frig did they bother putting a grid on it?

 

[Conaill]

Nice map though, isn't it? Of course, that only makes the stupid grid even more frustrating...