Arlion: A Test

[jfrazierjr]

Looks quit a bit better. Don't forget, you can always utilize layer masks to bump map only certain parts(well.. you bump map all of it, but use the layer mask to filter out so only what you want is shown.... Anyway, even still it is much better than the original.

[jtougas]

I was sitting in front of my computer playing with settings in GIMP that I have never used before and happened across the Threshold setting. This is what happens when I get bored. Although I have to say that I actually kind of like it


This map and any others in this series are subject to a CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 Licence.They may be freely distributed but may not be altered or used for commercial gain in any way. All credit for these maps must be given.

[Jaxilon]

In the last colorized version you had the only thing I think needs some love is the ocean blue. Everything else has such texture to it and then along comes this flat blue water.

You sound like me, I get to a point with something and don't know what I want to do so I start inverting colors and playing around with new filters I don't understand. Sometimes you get something good and learn a new trick.

[jtougas]

In the last colorized version you had the only thing I think needs some love is the ocean blue. Everything else has such texture to it and then along comes this flat blue water.

Like he so often does Jax got me thinking. And of course he's right. So here is some water texture


This map and any others in this series are subject to a CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 Licence.They may be freely distributed but may not be altered or used for commercial gain in any way. All credit for these maps must be given.

[moutarde]

This is coming along nicely JT One thing that occurs to me, that I find very useful when I'm working with textures, is to use multiple textures on each of the major features of a map - especially water. You've got a nice looking water texture there, but if you add a couple more water layers over top of it, and set the layer mode for those extra layers to multiply or overlay (try out different modes, and play around!). There's not really any formula that I use, but adding those extra layers can break up the 'simplicity' of a single texture and make the surfaces more interesting to look at. It might take some trail and error, but the results can definitely be worth it

[jtougas]

This is coming along nicely JT One thing that occurs to me, that I find very useful when I'm working with textures, is to use multiple textures on each of the major features of a map - especially water. You've got a nice looking water texture there, but if you add a couple more water layers over top of it, and set the layer mode for those extra layers to multiply or overlay (try out different modes, and play around!). There's not really any formula that I use, but adding those extra layers can break up the 'simplicity' of a single texture and make the surfaces more interesting to look at. It might take some trail and error, but the results can definitely be worth it

That is a very good idea And Here is the result. One cool side effect of this is that I discovered that I didn't have very many water textures, a problem that I have now rectified. Another side effect is that I have been inspired to do a little writing about this. (a very little at the moment) One other thing I would really like is a nice border for this map. I have read through a few of the tutorials on this matter but as they were made for Photoshop (and I use GIMP) I'm having a hard time porting them. Borders have been a bit of a "thorn" for me as I tend to use the same kind I'm thinking one of the nice "neatline" borders would be nice. Any suggestions would be much appreciated




This map and any others in this series are subject to a CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 Licence.They may be freely distributed but may not be altered or used for commercial gain in any way. All credit for these maps must be given.

[jtougas]

After looking at this some more with the idea of making smaller scale maps of the kingdoms I realized that it looked sort of "washed out" The ground texture was a touch too light for my tastes. I ran it through a couple of filters and adjusted the contrast a little and came up with this.



This map and any others in this series are subject to a CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 Licence.They may be freely distributed but may not be altered or used for commercial gain in any way. All credit for these maps must be given.

[jtougas]

I realized that the last version of this map was just plain ruined so I went back and started over again. I'm glad I had some time to look at it and realize that I had messed it up by bump mapping and over contrast..




This map and any others in this series are subject to a CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 Licence.They may be freely distributed but may not be altered or used for commercial gain in any way. All credit for these maps must be given.

[jtougas]

Here it is in a mostly finished state. A couple of credits: diamond (I stole your scale bar off of your Kingdom of Gorian map because it fit this map so well.If it's a problem I'll gladly remove it )
And StarRaven for her awesome brush set that the compass rose was in. I have really enjoyed this project. and it has given me some inspiration to write a bit. Here is a snippet

*Edit* Whoops.. I uploaded the wrong version Updated to correct version

The historian looked at his students with a measure of disdain,the young today did not care about history,they cared only for the games. He couldn't make them understand the importance of knowing the history of the Iron Kingdom, the last bastion of the Great Empire of Arlion. The arena filled their heads with false heroes and false glories. His history seemed dull and lifeless compared to that....

[jtougas]

Although I have already posted this in the finished map section I decided to try a few things as a way to take my mind off of my dismal failure at the Lite Challenge this month . This is just a few grunge layers a border and a big ole something with lines coming out of it (it looked mappy to me after I did it)