Help me pick software!

[mearrin69]

I'm going to go for what GP said in your intro thread. Your best bet, IMHO, is to do it by hand and scan it.

Try some test maps on paper using pencil in the style you think you want...I'm picturing the old black and white map from the front of LotR. Refine the design then try lightly sketching in pencil and inking over that.

You can use an inking pen (I use Staedtler pigment liners but there are other brands) or try a nib pen and ink (I have had good results). For a final map I recommend a smooth paper that's not too absorbent or grainy. I used smooth bristol board, Strathmore, more a recent map with good results.

Once done, you can scan it in. If you do it in a large format you can take it to Kinkos or similar and have them scan it for you...not too expensive. I think having them scan it in color is the best. I tried greyscale with them and it ended up being half-time dots for some reason.

You should find a thread on hand-drawn maps in the tutorial sections. It covers materials and such very nicely.

Hope any of that helps!
M

[edit]N.B. It likely *will* take quite a lot of time to design, refine, and finally create your map. I spent many long hours creating this map for my gaming world. There aren't really many short-cuts...although much of my time was spent coloring and texturing and you won't have to do that for your map I think.[/edit]

[Chaplaindm]

Thank you! I will give this a go and see what happens.

I will start a WIP thread once I get up and going.

Chaplain

[Daelin]

Yeah, if time is your main issue, I think hand-drawn is the way to go.

Alternatively, if you want to only do maps like the old LoTR one, then you all you really need to do is find some brushes for forests and mountains that fits the style, find some nice big parchment textures and then sketch away in whatever software you fancy. This is what I did with my "Alternate Europe", just because I was bored, and I think it took me 90 minutes total, even with the suggested additions.

http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=8081

[Chaplaindm]

Daelin,

This really looks good also! Can you give me more information on what you mean? Can you suggest some good "brushes for forests and mountains that fits the style and some nice big parchment textures" Not just where to find them but which ones you used EXACTLY and what you used them for. It would save me a lot of looking and trial and error. Also, what program did you use.

Would I be asking too much if I asked for texture and brushes you used in your map?