Map of a single hemisphere

[Dracontes]

I'd really like to know what was the technique you used to make this map as I'm trying to achieve similar results, i. e., Earth-like geomorphology. Other than that I'm fairly itching to do a tectonic analysis of this world, if you don't mind, that is.

The purple cloud surrounding the map is not just for show - it's an actual map feature. Only one hemisphere of the map is shown because the other is off limits - magically sealed in order to allow it to heal from a catastrophic magical war that took place long before the birth of mankind, and those purple clouds are a ring of storms that literally prevent travel to the other side, both through physical and magical means.

A trap of space-time topology would come to mind, I mean, the division could be achieved by a wormhole of sorts girdling the planet and transporting foolhardy sailors or travelers to the antipodes of their location on their side of the barrier; the same for whatever like-minded nasty things existed on the other side. I remember something similar in Gordon Dickson's Time Storm though people traversing the barriers were transported in time instead of space.

I think the only thing that detracts from this is the polar continent: it stands out by being far less detailed than the other land masses.

Nevertheless keep up the good work.

[Seiun]

I'd really like to know what was the technique you used to make this map as I'm trying to achieve similar results, i. e., Earth-like geomorphology. Other than that I'm fairly itching to do a tectonic analysis of this world, if you don't mind, that is.

I've actually been trying to keep the tectonic layout of the world in mind while designing everything, so I wouldn't mind at all! It would be interesting to see how closely my idea of the tectonic shapes matches up with yours.

As for the layout, pretty much the only thing I used was loads, and loads of reference images. It's all hand-drawn using a mouse (and now using a tablet I just purchased.)

I think the only thing that detracts from this is the polar continent: it stands out by being far less detailed than the other land masses.

Because I'm using a rectangular projection for the map, things naturally become less and less detailed the farther north/south you go, so that's more an artifact from the map projection than the coastline layout, but I'll certainly keep that in mind.

On to other things, though...

I've been doing a lot of work on the map over the weekend, and I've thrown together two rough images for some topography and lake/river layouts. I'm leaning towards the less detailed one, mostly because when hand-drawing something, the more details you include, the more things you can wind up getting wrong. Less can be more, and allow something to appear more detailed because the mind fills in the blanks. The less detailed topography would also give me more leeway for re-drawing the lakes and rivers, many of which I'm currently not happy with at all.



Also, for the record, these are only 800x800 because that's the most photobucket can allow. Once I figure out how to attach these to my post, I'll do so like that at a higher resolution - My work copies are 4000x4000 (approximately 5 kilometers per pixel)

Any thoughts?

[jfrazierjr]

Also, for the record, these are only 800x800 because that's the most photobucket can allow. Once I figure out how to attach these to my post, I'll do so like that at a higher resolution - My work copies are 4000x4000 (approximately 5 kilometers per pixel)

Any thoughts?

When you do a simple reply, there is a "Go Advanced" button. This opens more options further below the text area field where you type your comments. One of these is a button named "Manage Attachments". Clicking on this button will open a popup window (which means you have to make sure any blocking software lets it open) that will allow you to upload files in multiple formats up to certain sizes (depending on the file type.) jpeg and png files will auto-magically get converted to inline thumbnail images which click out to the larger version. With a resolution that large, you "may" have to reduce the image quality of jpg files to be able to get it under the file size limit when saving from your graphic application though.

Joe

[Seiun]

I've done more work to the topography layers, and here's how I did it - I took the previous versions of the map and removed all but the orange layer, then I started adding in rivers and lakes based on the coastline, where I wanted said lakes to be, and the orange layer to remind me where the major mountain ranges are. Then using the lakes and rivers as a guide, I filled in the yellow layer between the coastline and the orange layer, then added a gray layer for the 4500 meter mark. Then I subdivided the green, yellow, and orange layers, adding the white layer last. It didn't take me much time at all, and I'm pretty happy with the results. Overall I think the topography and the lakes and rivers all look much more realistic than the previous draft.

Questions/comments/critiques?

[Seiun]

Hate to double-post (not really sure what the policy for that is here, if this is frowned upon I'll just merge this post into my last) but I've managed a major breakthrough in making my map, which I think will speak for itself.

I'm extremely happy with my results, and if there's interest, I'll do up a tutorial to show how I did my landmass features. It's a complicated process, but I completely avoided converting my contour lines into a heightmap and instead heavily beveled and smudged all of my contour layers. I gave each layer about a 30% opacity. I adusted how dark the bevel was depending on what height that particular contour line represented, and of course, I made sure my bevels took my rivers and lakes into account too.

The stairstep pattern on the upper continent looks like it's there to stay, unfortunately. I've heavily worked it already, and anything else I've tried to make the banding look smoother has only made that continent look worse.

Any comments for how I might be able to make this map even better would be highly appreciated!

[Naeddyr]

Looking really good there, pleasing to the eye while retaining its informative characteristics.

[jfrazierjr]

The stairstep pattern on the upper continent looks like it's there to stay, unfortunately. I've heavily worked it already, and anything else I've tried to make the banding look smoother has only made that continent look worse.

Any comments for how I might be able to make this map even better would be highly appreciated!

Ar you talking about on the continent at the pole? Try using the section tool to select just that part and then run a spread filter followed by a G blur. Spread maybe 5-10 px and blur perhaps 2-4 px or so, though you may have to play wit the exact numbers. Once you dial in the right numbers, this should work for you to get rid of the steps, but still be smoothly blended.

[Karro]

Hey, this is looking really good. Great in fact...

My only complaint is that the mountains in the north and the northern-most continent look like they reach into the stratosphere. That's not necessarily a bad thing per se, though. I don't even mind the stepped-appearance of the northernmost continent.