[Award Winner] Using GIMP to Create an Artistic Regional RPG Map

[Karro]

Okay, so stupid questions time:

1: I know at the beginning this is labeled as a regional map technique, not appropriate for whole world maps and not for local maps. But what, generally, do you consider the scale of this map (as in comparitive size to a region on real-world earth, or miles/km)

2. In obtaining some randomness to a coastline, what would the best method be to obtain such geographic features as barrier islands be... and at what scale would these even be features a map would normally show?

I was considering taking a fairly specific regional map, scaling it up to a very high pixel density (to within several thousands by several thousands) then using this method on a high blur that maintains the general shape to attempt to draw out some interesting geographic features like barrier islands within that framework, then scaling back down to a slightly smaller number of pixels while hopefully retaining those features. I haven't tried it yet. The idea is to take something like England or Nova Scotia or a similar regional area that on a world map is relatively small, but when viewed closely has tons of very interesting geographic features, including outlying islands that are too small to get picked up on the world map. Would this work, you think, for taking a general shape from a world map to produce a more detailed regional map?

[RobA]

Okay, so stupid questions time:

1: I know at the beginning this is labeled as a regional map technique, not appropriate for whole world maps and not for local maps. But what, generally, do you consider the scale of this map (as in comparitive size to a region on real-world earth, or miles/km)

Mentally, I was scaling things to be in the 5px/km range. So a 800x800 map would be around 160km (ish). But as mentioned, the textures can be scaled up or down appropriately.

2. In obtaining some randomness to a coastline, what would the best method be to obtain such geographic features as barrier islands be... and at what scale would these even be features a map would normally show?

I was considering taking a fairly specific regional map, scaling it up to a very high pixel density (to within several thousands by several thousands) then using this method on a high blur that maintains the general shape to attempt to draw out some interesting geographic features like barrier islands within that framework, then scaling back down to a slightly smaller number of pixels while hopefully retaining those features. I haven't tried it yet. The idea is to take something like England or Nova Scotia or a similar regional area that on a world map is relatively small, but when viewed closely has tons of very interesting geographic features, including outlying islands that are too small to get picked up on the world map. Would this work, you think, for taking a general shape from a world map to produce a more detailed regional map?

I show one technique in this thread for progressively adding coastline detail. A similar technique could be used for adding detail to areas: rivers/lakes/borders, etc.

-Rob A>

[Badger]

just over 9,000 views.... does this make it the top viewed post ?? I don't remember seeing another higher .... you go YoDa ... make the thread Explode when you 10K ....

[Karro]

Mentally, I was scaling things to be in the 5px/km range. So a 800x800 map would be around 160km (ish). But as mentioned, the textures can be scaled up or down appropriately.



I show one technique in this thread for progressively adding coastline detail. A similar technique could be used for adding detail to areas: rivers/lakes/borders, etc.

-Rob A>

I saw this before, but I forgot about it before posting. I should really look before opening my mouth and asking stupid questions...

Thanks man! I'd give you more rep (I don't even know if mine counts yet), but it tells me I need to spread it around a little first...

[dhalsimrocks]

This tutorial is just beyond outstanding. It was quite literally EXACTLY what I was looking for. See, I'm a Linux user, and as such, the most readily available image software is GIMP. However, I never had a moment's thought that I might find a tutorial this thorough, SPECIFICALLY for the GIMP. I'm blown away.

A huge "Thank you!" (and some rep) goes out to RobA for taking the time to make this extraordinary guide.

Not only is it going to be a godsend for my map making, but it has taught me a lot about using GIMP that I'm sure I can apply to other tasks.

Now, I got a chance to play around with these techniques this evening, and I must say, the results are very satisfactory. I'm still just practicing, so I haven't done any editing on my current map project, but I've gotten the hang of it and even added my own technique.

I made a mountain range and decided I wanted snow caps on the tallest peaks. So I made a new layer by copying the uncolored/greyscale mountain range (let's call it "Snow"). I then used the magic wand with a very high tolerance and clicked in the dark "non mountainous area", so everything but the lightest colors were selected. I inverted the selection, created a new layer, saved the selection to a channel and created a mask. I then applied that mask to the "Snow" layer", reduced the opacity to about 90% and this was the result:

NOTE: when I made this, I had no internet connection and was doing this from memory and I couldn't remember how to do the heightfield.

[jfrazierjr]

Looks pretty nice. You may also want to take a look a Karro's WIP thread as he took (yet another ) of RobA's tutotial techniques to make his mountains and the results are quite good I must say. It all depends on the style you are looking for. I would highly suggest looking up DanChops technique in his WIP thread for the forests, using plasma noise. The results are great.

Open a new thread and keep posting your WIP's up for everyone to see!

Joe

[Karro]

--snip--

My sentiments exactly!

--snip the sequel--

RobA's other mountain tutorial is here.

I demonstrate the results of RobA's other mountain tutorial here, then make my own adjustments to the process here.

DanChop's forest ideas can be found in this thread starting at post 18.

[jfrazierjr]

Thanks for posting the direct links Karro.. I just did not have the time to search when replying as I was on the way out the door.

Joe

[Karro]

Looks pretty nice. You may also want to take a look a Karro's WIP thread as he took (yet another ) of RobA's tutotial techniques to make his mountains and the results are quite good I must say. It all depends on the style you are looking for. I would highly suggest looking up DanChops technique in his WIP thread for the forests, using plasma noise. The results are great.

Open a new thread and keep posting your WIP's up for everyone to see!

Joe

I'd also like to point out that Joe, I'm guessing through modesty, neglected to point out his own efforts at producing mountain ranges, which by the end are fantastic looking. (Joe... the public wants to know, when are you doing a tutorial on those?)

[jfrazierjr]

I'd also like to point out that Joe, I'm guessing through modesty, neglected to point out his own efforts at producing mountain ranges, which by the end are fantastic looking. (Joe... the public wants to know, when are you doing a tutorial on those?)

<blush>

Thanks Karro, that means a ton. I was hoping to get it done this past weekend but stuff come up. Also, I have been thinking of how to do my part of the World building project, but am having a bit of trouble figuring out the style since around 85% of the tile is mountains and I have quite a few things I want to pack into the map so real estate is a real issue. Side view hand drawn mountains are out just because then I could not fit anything except into the small bit of clear areas.

I hope I can get some time this weekend or next and throw something together. Also, I have been playing a lot the past few weeks with various minor alterations to the technique to see which I like best and is easiest and I am still having trouble making up my mind. What I will probably do is go with one alternative and maybe make a few quick side screenshots to show a few variations at different stages and how they changes the final result.

Joe