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Thread: WIP - Continental map

  1. #1
    Guild Novice November's Avatar
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    Wip WIP - Continental map

    Greetings, gentlemen.

    Few months ago I posted here my first map and received some nice feedbacks. Time has passed, and now I need your help in creating a new continental map. My main issue is connected with a lack of experience in working with patterns in general and in GIMP particularly, I decided that this community is just the place I need to solve those problems.

    Here is my map that is currently in progress:
    Click image for larger version. 

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    What I am looking for to know is the way of creating mountains/forests/grass layers with patterns over them and the way how to create soft edges and semi-transparent locations. The only way to do it I came up with is to use the rubber, but it isn't perfect.

    Also I would be happy to hear some feedbacks and critiques you consider important.
    I have spoken. Any comments?

  2. #2
    Community Leader Facebook Connected Ascension's Avatar
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    First off, that's a really cool looking continent. I always seem to round mine off too much instead of staying with these cooler shapes. Second, there are a ton of different ways to achieve that "fuzzy-edged" look. Using the eraser is one that I used to use most often but I now use masks (not sure if Gimp has masks). Making a selection and then giving it a fuzziness also works (again, not sure if Gimp has a fuzziness setting). As for making things semi-transparent you use the opacity function or if you want something a little different change the blend mode.
    If the radiance of a thousand suns was to burst at once into the sky, that would be like the splendor of the Mighty One...I am become Death, the Shatterer of worlds.
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  3. #3
    Guild Adept Aenigma's Avatar
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    Looks nice! Are there any more continents on this world? I'd like to see them
    Yesterday today was tomorrow.
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    Community Leader Guild Sponsor Gidde's Avatar
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    Gimp has both layer masks and selection feathering, so you can use both of Ascension's tips

    What I do often is put a layer mask on, then throw a gaussian blur on the layer mask. It seems to work a little better than feathering the selection before making it a mask.

  5. #5
    Guild Journeyer Noon's Avatar
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    The continent is already very nice, the shapes are beautiful.
    I look forward to see more.
    What is the scale?
    Noon
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  6. #6
    Guild Journeyer Tear's Avatar
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    One or two of your rivers seem odd, but I guess the river police will be here shortly to tell you more.
    I like the shape of your landmass very much.

  7. #7
    Community Leader Facebook Connected Ascension's Avatar
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    Good catch. Just north of center you have a river system that connects two oceans...split that up so that rivers start in the mountains and not at an ocean. South of center you have a river system that splits. If this is meant to be a delta then put those splits very close together and very close to the coast.
    If the radiance of a thousand suns was to burst at once into the sky, that would be like the splendor of the Mighty One...I am become Death, the Shatterer of worlds.
    -J. Robert Oppenheimer (father of the atom bomb) alluding to The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 11, Verse 32)


    My Maps ~ My Brushes ~ My Tutorials ~ My Challenge Maps

  8. #8
    Guild Novice November's Avatar
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    Thank you guys for nice replies.

    - At the moment I am working on appropriate patterns, but still didn't found the good fit for snowy/green territory.
    - Also tried to play with "Enboss" filter for making mountains, but didn't succeed as well. But practice makes perfect.
    - Changed north river as you mentioned, and turned an area of two other rivers into major swamps.
    - Another thing figured out recently is that it's a good idea to use one pattern of a different colour for the whole landmass. Am I correct?
    - Answering your questions, I am not yet sure about the scale of this continent, but I am not looking for it to be quite big. And no, I am not planning to add other landmass in this world, since it has no story behind it, while this continent can perfectly fit for a practice.

    Will add the progress picture as there will be any significant difference.
    I have spoken. Any comments?

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  10. #10
    Guild Novice November's Avatar
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    To avoid misunderstandings:
    Click image for larger version. 

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    I have spoken. Any comments?

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