While I scan into PS, and I tweak color/contrast, etc in PS. Most all of my map work occurs in Xara Xtreme Pro 4.0 - its a vector program like Illustrator, CorelDraw, Serif DrawPlus. It does everything I need for less money than PS/Illustrator - very powerful and easy to use. I run a daytime graphic design/digital print studio and use that app for everything.

All coloring, bevels, shadows, feathering, special effects, even use of Photoshop Plug-ins are all done within Xara Xtreme.

I only draw linework by hand - everything else is digital.

GP