Cloudhaven, flying prison (Photoshop)

[Elvish Presley]

Thanks for the advice

Now, if I only knew how to instantly transform my scanned maps into clean black'n white images.....whenever I scan a pencil drawing, all I get is...well...grey pencil strokes, a not so grey paper background (but certainly nowhere near white) and a lot of grids.

And even when I start digitalizing the drawing, I end up making a whole new map/drawing from skratch because I can't incorporate the original, scanned drawing satisfyingly

[Nytmare]

Now, if I only knew how to instantly transform my scanned maps into clean black'n white images.....whenever I scan a pencil drawing, all I get is...well...grey pencil strokes, a not so grey paper background (but certainly nowhere near white) and a lot of grids.

You might be able to pull the information out by adjusting the contrast after you've scanned it. Do you have one you can upload?

[jfrazierjr]

Thanks for the advice

Now, if I only knew how to instantly transform my scanned maps into clean black'n white images.....whenever I scan a pencil drawing, all I get is...well...grey pencil strokes, a not so grey paper background (but certainly nowhere near white) and a lot of grids.

And even when I start digitalizing the drawing, I end up making a whole new map/drawing from skratch because I can't incorporate the original, scanned drawing satisfyingly

So, is there a reason your doing your originals on gridded paper? or are you trying to reuse stuff that was created long time ago?

Also, I would highly suggest anyone who needs to do more than a tiny bit of digital drawing get an inexpensive tablet. Of course, I know that some people may be on a tight budget, but if you do more than a few maps here and there, the money is well worth it. If your on a tight budget, you could always check out Craigslist or Ebay and get a used one, though I would highly suggest getting WACOM that was originally sold in the past 3 years or so if going that route. You can typically find them for 1/4 to 1/2 retail price or less as many people buy a cheap one to start out with and then save up the money to upgrade to one with more features later. A new small (about the size of a postcard in drawing area, plus an inch or so of border) Bamboo is roughly $100 US, and can be found in some of the big box retail stores such as Circuit City or Best Buy. Also, since Circuit City is going out of business, you might be able to get a good deal right now if there is one near you and they still have any they need to get rid of. You could even try haggling!!!