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  1. #1

    Default New

    Hello, I am new here. My mapping experience is pretty non-existant. I have largely done quick and dirty maps, though ms paint, handdrawn, or just plain in my head, and its time for me to be more proactive in mapping. So I am here to learn and find out how to do a better job, and what tools I should start in. I do like the idea of layers and such, but I need to learn to walk before starting to run.

  2. #2
    Community Leader Guild Sponsor Korash's Avatar
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    Taking those first steps can be intimidating, but we have plenty of friendly people to hold your hand.

    A couple of suggestions to get you started:
    1: in this forum there is a sticky thread called something like "Quick Start Guide to Mapping". Read this first.
    2: Check out the Finished Maps and Cartographers Choice Forums for inspiration. DO NOT get intimidated by the quality you find there, 'cause EVERY artist there started where you are now. Some of them even learned the trade right here.
    3: Check out the Tutorials forum for walk throughs on quite a lot of differnt styles and progs. Practice with as many as you want but try for one at a time. After a while you will start to develope a style of your own, and then it is off to the races.
    4: Once you start a map, post it and any others you may do in the WIP (Work In Progress) forum for guidance through our (not) pattented C&C techniques. Don't worry, we don't bite and just about all the C&C will be towards makeing you a better mapper. Ask any questions you may have about you maps in that WIP thread as well.
    5: Look through the other WIPs as well, and don't be afraid to ask how things were done if you didn't quite get the technique used...

    Hope this helps you withh those first steps

    And Welcome to the Guild, The Mappiest Place on the Web
    Art Critic = Someone with the Eye of an Artist, Words of a Bard, and the Talent of a Rock.

    Please take my critiques as someone who Wishes he had the Talent

  3. #3
    Guild Master Facebook Connected jtougas's Avatar
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    Most Excellent advice Korash. And Welcome to the Guild Jesse
    I am the breath of Dragons...The Song of Mountains...The Stories of Rivers....The Heart of Cities.... I am A Cartographer....

    Finished Maps
    Kingdom Of Shendenflar Campaign Setting (WIP)

    Everything I post is free for use and redistribution under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 licence, except where noted otherwise in the thread.

  4. #4
    Community Leader Facebook Connected Steel General's Avatar
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    Welcome Aboard!
    My Finished Maps | My Challenge Maps | Still poking around occasionally...

    Unless otherwise stated by me in the post, all work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.



  5. #5
    Community Leader Guild Sponsor Gidde's Avatar
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    Welcome to the Guild!

  6. #6
    Community Leader NeonKnight's Avatar
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    Welcome to the Guild!
    Daniel the Neon Knight: Campaign Cartographer User

    Never use a big word when a diminutive one will suffice!

    Any questions on CC3? Post them with CC3 in the Subject Line!
    MY 'FAMOUS' CC3 MAPS: Thunderspire; Pyramid of Shadows; King of the Trollhaunt Warrens; Demon Queen's Enclave

  7. #7

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    Welcome to the guild!

  8. #8
    Community Leader Facebook Connected tilt's Avatar
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    welcome to the guild and what Korash said
    regs tilt
    :: My DnD page Encounter Depot free stuff for your game :: My work page Catapult ::
    :: Finished Maps :: Competion maps - The Island of Dr. Rorshach ::
    :: FREE Tiles - Compasses :: Other Taking a commision - Copyright & Creative Commons ::
    Works under CC licence unless mentioned otherwise

  9. #9
    Guild Expert jbgibson's Avatar
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    Welcome, Jesse. Do you have any graphics tools you're already familiar with, other than MS Paint and pencils? Or that you have wanted an excuse to get :-) ?

  10. #10
    Community Leader Jaxilon's Avatar
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    Welcome aboard, I was once in your shoes a little over a year ago. Great welcome Korash, I'm gonna rep you just for that.
    “When it’s over and you look in the mirror, did you do the best that you were capable of? If so, the score does not matter. But if you find that you did your best you were capable of, you will find it to your liking.” -John Wooden

    * Rivengard * My Finished Maps * My Challenge Maps * My deviantArt

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