[Award Winner] Regional Map using Xara Xtreme 4.0

[Redrobes]

Superb. These are some of the most realistic hand created terrain maps I have seen. Rep heading your way...

[Gamerprinter]

Thanks, Redrobes.

While I do like using 3D apps as well, Xara is so fast and easy to use, that I can really experiment with the look of the maps I work on, and I can create a 3D look with simple bevels, shadows and transparency. Add actual photos of terrain and the photo-realism just jumps off the page.

Because I am getting used to the workflow and the techniques, here. I created this tutorial map in less than an hour! It took much longer to input the tutorial here, than creating the map itself.

GP

[ravells]

Simply superb, GP - you've taken this to a new level. I think we are the only ones who use Xara and Drawplus - hopefully your wonderful work will bring in others.

[Badger]

Well... I made a map using Xara... great tutorial, I had no troubles with any part of it ... except that my map was done very fast and is no where near the quality of yours... but I thought I would post it up and let you know at least one person followed it

I did have one question.. when you are using the freehand draw tool... what % do you use for the smoothing?

[Gamerprinter]

I did have one question.. when you are using the freehand draw tool... what % do you use for the smoothing?

I like to take down to almost 0 (the far left) except there's no smoothing and you might get jaggies, so I tend to up this to about 15 or so, depending on what I'm creating. For coastlines and rivers 15 is about right.

Nice job, but I see you had the smoothing nearly 100% - way too much, but nice first try, Del!

GP

[Gamerprinter]

Del, one more thing, you don't have to worry about pre-setting your smoothing level, just draw your object and close the shape. Let it default to whatever smoothing exists.

Before you do anything else, go to the smoothing slider and adjust downwards and watch the smoothing change "on the fly", lower it until you feel it looks right to you and there's your perfect smoothing setting.

Unfortunately, if you do something else like a fill or create another object, the smoothing is now set in the object and can't go back and smooth some more. You'll have to live with or draw the object again and follow the instructions above...

GP

[Badger]

it was set to whatever the default is... 50% i think, I just went back and deleted a few nodes... getting used to the bevel adjustment was taking too long, lol.

I do like the speed... and I like the way it creates mountains as well... but I think you did at least convert one forum member .. I'll be using Xara quite a bit I expect