CC3 Continental Map: The Northlands

[Midgardsormr]

Thanks for the input. I was coming up with something similar to what you've done there, Jaerdaph. I was thinking about keeping the green very unsaturated, to match the very subtle coloring of the mountains and hills, and putting in a large hand-drawn tree to reinforce that the area is a forest.

I just need to figure out how best to get the tree into CC3. At the moment, I'm having trouble with the transparency at the moment--do I need to explicitly define an alpha channel in a png?

In terms of the forest borders, I've been experimenting with the displacement effect, and I think it might get the job done. Eventually. If not, I can try sketch mode, but I'm not terribly confident in my ability to draw with a mouse. Maybe I should buy my wife a tablet for Christmas...

I'll try to remember to post some images tomorrow morning.

[jaerdaph]

I just need to figure out how best to get the tree into CC3. At the moment, I'm having trouble with the transparency at the moment--do I need to explicitly define an alpha channel in a png?

Is your hand drawn tree a PNG with a transparent background layer? How do you plan on getting it into CC3 - by just inserting the file?

If so, from Draw menu in CC3 select Insert File... Click the Bitmap Options button on the bottom of the Insert File box that pops up. Select Alpha Transparency on the Bitmap Options box that pops up and click OK to close that box, then navigate to your PNG file location in the Insert File box and click Open. You will then be asked to select first corner and second corner for where you want the bitmap to appear in the drawing.

That's the easiest way to get it in there. You could of course define it as a symbol, but that's a little more involved.

I'm not the best person to ask about PNGs and layers and transparency before they get into CC3, but I do know what to do with them once they're in CC3.

[Midgardsormr]

Well, it seems that PhotoPaint cannot export a PNG with transparency, so I pulled out Fireworks. Here's the tree if anyone wants it:

[Midgardsormr]

And the most recent version of the map, with a new approach to the forest.

[jaerdaph]

This is looking very nice - keep up the good work.

[Midgardsormr]

Thank you!

I think I've got all the information on the map that I need at the moment. Now I'm trying out some decorative elements, starting with a new compass rose inspired by one posted by Sir Alain in another thread.

Comments are welcome, as usual, and I'd like some suggestions about what to do with the land fill. I'm not wild about the flat color. Anyone got a texture that would look good there?

[jaerdaph]

Thank you!

I think I've got all the information on the map that I need at the moment. Now I'm trying out some decorative elements, starting with a new compass rose inspired by one posted by Sir Alain in another thread.

Comments are welcome, as usual, and I'd like some suggestions about what to do with the land fill. I'm not wild about the flat color. Anyone got a texture that would look good there?

The compass rose looks excellent! Do you have a PNG for the ship you want to share? (hint hint nudge nudge )

As for the land background, how about a textured parchment?

[jaerdaph]

Well, it seems that PhotoPaint cannot export a PNG with transparency, so I pulled out Fireworks. Here's the tree if anyone wants it:

I've saved this image because I think the style of the tree would look very appropriate on maps I want to make for my Colonial Gothic campaign. Thanks!

I have Fireworks myself (and use it as my primary graphics program pre- and post-CC3). I have a question for you. Is it possible to open up a black and white GIF, JPG or BMP file in Fireworks (which would then be on a single layer) and then "convert" all the white pixels on that layer to transparency (leaving the black and any other colors untouched)? I'm hoping it can be done directly in Fireworks and I'm just not seeing where to do it. I have a bunch of black and white images that I'd like to make black and transparent and save as PNGs so I can use them in CC3.