Map of a single hemisphere

[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.