Favorite background and application of background

[markem]

I feel as if I have been remiss in asking questions. :-)

What is your favorite way to apply a background for a map? Do you use parchment? Some kind of grunde background? Do you make it transparent? Apply colors to it? And most importantly - Most outlandish background and how hard was it to use? :-)

I usually use parchment, make it partially transparent and apply colors behind it like very pale yellow. Hardest one I tried was metal screws behind the parchment. The screw layer was set to 85% transparency so the shadows gave a feeling of hills or valleys. To be truthful - it sucked. Too....ummmmm.....standard looking? Non-natural looking? However you want to put it.

[Hai-Etlik]

Ultimately, I prefer to let the map stand on its own without any such gimmickry. When I give in to the temptation to use textures, I use a collection of SVG filter effects I've developed to simulate parchment/vellum or moderately aged paper. I try to keep such textures subtle enough that they don't detract from the map.

[markem]

Ultimately, I prefer to let the map stand on its own without any such gimmickry. When I give in to the temptation to use textures, I use a collection of SVG filter effects I've developed to simulate parchment/vellum or moderately aged paper. I try to keep such textures subtle enough that they don't detract from the map.

That is really interesting. So you don't use textures like several of the other people here use them? Got any examples of what your SVG code does?

[Azélor]

I use the same technique as you markem. Most of the time I will use a premade texture for the background and add colours or other textures on it, to make it more random/avoid the repetition of pattern.

[Hai-Etlik]

That is really interesting. So you don't use textures like several of the other people here use them? Got any examples of what your SVG code does?