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Every now and again, I get this idea in my head to create maps. I game sometimes, but I don't run; I write sometimes, but at the moment all I have is an image and no plot. But I still love maps.
My preferred drawing tool is Paint.NET, which does a lot of nifty stuff and is a free download; I'll have to poke at it and see how well the tutorials here cross over for it.
Looking forward to looking and lurking...
Peace,
Heather
Welcome to the Guild!
Ever thought of using GIMP, there are some great tutorials for it on this site, and its also a free download - though a bit more complex than Paint.net and tons more powerful. Lots of guys here swear by it! You should consider it.
Its not my app of choice, but there you go! Again, welcome!
GP
Welcome Aboard!
There are a few here using paint.net Post up what you have for a little C&C and see!
-Rob A>
Yo, peace out! Happy to have you looking and lurking, but don't be shy about posting your projects either. Lots of great voices here to admire and improve your ability. Regarding your software, I am personally not familiar with it ,bear in mind, though, that many guild members use more than one app to achieve their effects. By all means, rely on the software you are most familiar (and proficient) with, however don't rule out expanding either. I'm very interested to see which and what you manage to apply to Paint.NET (if it's free I may end up getting it as well). Anyways, welcome and cheers!
Welcome to the Guild!
Welcome to the Guild, Heather!
Yes, I've looked at GIMP before, but it mostly makes my brain hurt. :D A lot of the apps I've looked at do many of the same things, so the only change is in figuring out where to look and what steps to take.
I didn't actually have a map in reserve here, I just like maps. The last one I actually finished, I was probably 10.
Paint.NET gets updated pretty frequently, and supports user-made tools and plugins. I'm going to run through one of the tutorials on this site and see how well they translate over, but I'm guessing the answer will be "pretty good".
Cheers!
I know how you feel, I'm not really a GIMPer myself, however, regarding how looking at it makes your head hurt (I know how you feel) - I know that RobA's "Create a not-so-random Coastline" tutorial for GIMP is one of the best GIMP tutorials for any graphic need, and that tutorial can really give you a head's up on the various tools, menus and techniques using GIMP.
Since GIMP is free, and so is RobA's tutorial, I think it would behoove you to try, at least. You'd be surprised at how "un-head-hurting" it can be! You'll learn so much, you won't even notice how many other buttons and features you haven't tried.
Me, I avoid anything that says "Microsoft" with a wide berth, as a graphic artist, I think Microsoft should stay in the OS and Browser market (X-box too) and avoid the idea they are actually a software developer, which I think they are a poor one for that. Look at Publisher, its one of the worst conceived graphics apps in existence and no professional would ever touch it.
Just my 2 cents!
GP
Well, so far as I know, Paint.NET has nothing to do with Micro$oft, but I'd have to, you know, actually look that up to be certain.
Following and translating the GIMP tutorial, here's what I have so far, and I'm actually pretty impressed. I had some lucky accidents with a few of the texture effects, so I ran with them.