Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: A map re-interpreted

  1. #1
    Guild Novice
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Bowling Green, Ky.
    Posts
    11

    Map A map re-interpreted

    Hey everybody,
    Thanks for all the help and the tips yesterday, mainly the "river" issue. I went back and remade my original map for the region that my game is taking part in as an attempt to get it more inline with the world map. Let me know what you think! I've submitted the new map and the original.

    I understand labels may be hard to read, I format all my maps to be printed on Super B3 paper from the start.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	WEBNorthernAethoriumFlattened.jpg 
Views:	624 
Size:	1.11 MB 
ID:	1977   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	newworld.jpg 
Views:	280 
Size:	923.4 KB 
ID:	1978  
    Last edited by nikonguy; 12-14-2007 at 02:49 PM. Reason: add original map

  2. #2
    Community Leader pyrandon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Michigan, USA
    Posts
    1,341

    Default

    OKay, my reaction? Wow! That is a great map! I like it a lot! You took it to the next level here, nikonguy. Perhaps it'sd just the different style that I like much better, but I really, really like that new version. Great work!!!!!
    Don
    My gallery is here
    __________________________________________________ _______
    "Keep your mind in hell, but despair not." --Saint Silouan [1866-1938]

  3. #3
    Guild Journeyer thebax2k's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Baton Rouge, LA
    Posts
    226

    Post

    Very impressive Nikonguy, your maps continue to get better. I find the new one very attractive, although the labels could be a wee bit less transparent.

    While the old one is not as nice to look at, I find it a bit more functional from a dm's standpoint, as it tells me everything I need to know (locations, major features, etc.) without having so much detail or clutter that features get lost.

  4. #4
    Guild Novice
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Bowling Green, Ky.
    Posts
    11

    Post

    I assume your talking about the "kingdom" labels? I keep going back and forth about this. For some reason I feel a more "solid" black is harsh on the eyes. I'll play with it a little later and see if maybe there is a middle ground I am not noticing.

    BTW, I would like to note that I have not learned this much about photoshop in my 6 years as a photographer! It's funny how you think you know it, until you start using if for illustration!

  5. #5
    Community Leader RPMiller's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Watching you from in here
    Posts
    3,226

    Default

    You could always use a difference blend mode on the text layer and see how that works.
    Bill Stickers is innocent! It isn't Bill's fault that he was hanging out in the wrong place.

    Please make an effort to tag all threads. This will greatly enhance the usability of the forums.



  6. #6
    Guild Adept Valarian's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Worcestershire, UK
    Posts
    331

    Post

    I think the labels are fine as they are, but could do with standing out a bit more. You could try copying the text to another layer, underneath the current text layer, and convert the text to white bold outline text. This should surround the text above with a white "halo" effect, allowing it to stand out from the background.
    Google Groups for FGII Games:
    European FG2 RPG - Fridays & Sundays (8pm UK time)
    Using Ultimate FGII and can accept unlicensed player connections on some of the games

  7. #7

    Post Nice changes

    nikonguy - Really like the changes you made to the map. I think that it came a long way in a short time (speaking from the "artistic" map standpoint). But I also agree that the old version would be better for me as a DM in running a campaign.

    One question: El Haffa'd Emrites. Do you mean "emirates", i.e. the territory ruled over by an emir? Also, as in the United Arab Emirates?

  8. #8
    Guild Novice
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Bowling Green, Ky.
    Posts
    11

    Post

    Yes, that's what I meant. Was not aware I was spelling it wrong. Even funnier than spelling it wrong on two maps is the fact that my buddy who plays with us, who is from the Middle East didn't even catch that error. Thanks for the correction!
    Maps are fun, but photos feed me.

  9. #9
    Professional Artist keithcurtis's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Port Angeles, WA
    Posts
    56

    Post

    Quote Originally Posted by Valarian View Post
    I think the labels are fine as they are, but could do with standing out a bit more. You could try copying the text to another layer, underneath the current text layer, and convert the text to white bold outline text. This should surround the text above with a white "halo" effect, allowing it to stand out from the background.
    I do this with filters. I apply a very slight outer glow on the text layer, set to the "paper color", or white-Lighten, then adjust till it looks subtle.

  10. #10
    Guild Member Publius's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Flint, Michigan
    Posts
    82

    Post

    As far as allowing your labels to pop out, I use Illustrator, and a trick I use there is to add an extra stroke to the text, then move the added stroke beneath the text and make it white (or whatever background color you are working with, a lot of the stuff I do is Black & White so White is usually what I use). Then I adjust the point size of the new white stroke for the scale of the map (If the map is excessively large and needs to be shrunk down for printing later on the page, you'll need a larger point size to see it in the overall work).

    The "outer glow" idea is a good one though Keith, I'll have to keep that in mind for future reference.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •