Illustrator does add pixel effects in some cases. And you can place pixel images as well. Are all your textures vector based? How much of the work you make in Xara is vecor based and how much in pixel based? You seem to work on quite big sized maps but my guess is that many things are pixel based anyway?
My sites: http://www.facebook.com --- http://www.stormring.com --- http://www.fantasymaps.net --- http://www.megatongames.com --- http://www.darktowershop.com
My finished maps: here
My sites: http://www.facebook.com --- http://www.stormring.com --- http://www.fantasymaps.net --- http://www.megatongames.com --- http://www.darktowershop.com
My finished maps: here
My sites: http://www.facebook.com --- http://www.stormring.com --- http://www.fantasymaps.net --- http://www.megatongames.com --- http://www.darktowershop.com
My finished maps: here
My sites: http://www.facebook.com --- http://www.stormring.com --- http://www.fantasymaps.net --- http://www.megatongames.com --- http://www.darktowershop.com
My finished maps: here
My sites: http://www.facebook.com --- http://www.stormring.com --- http://www.fantasymaps.net --- http://www.megatongames.com --- http://www.darktowershop.com
My finished maps: here
The first column is a gradient>linear effect with another gradient>radial for the light and a texture>grain effect.
The second, the third and the fourth columns are with one or two artistic>sponge effects and different oppacity.
The fifth and the sixth are a gradient symbol applied with the sprayer tool (one for mood and other for "rock").
Now, your turn. How did you adjust automatically the direction of light?
My sites: http://www.facebook.com --- http://www.stormring.com --- http://www.fantasymaps.net --- http://www.megatongames.com --- http://www.darktowershop.com
My finished maps: here
My sites: http://www.facebook.com --- http://www.stormring.com --- http://www.fantasymaps.net --- http://www.megatongames.com --- http://www.darktowershop.com
My finished maps: here
I'm new here and would like to say this is very inspiring. Do you have any You Tube tutorials?