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Thread: Experimental Subterranean Styles

  1. #1

    Wip Experimental Subterranean Styles

    All,
    I have been muddling around again... this time with subterranean dungeon map experiments. I have uploaded two examples of stylistic variation on the same basic room map. One involves lots of photoshop bevels and drop shadows for a 3-d effect. the other is intentionally simple stark and flat, and supposed to be more like an "illustration" than a birdseye view photo.

    I would love to hear which one of these two styles people prefer. I am a bit on the fence right now between them.
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  2. #2
    Community Leader Facebook Connected Ascension's Avatar
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    The one on the right would be easier on ink usage as it stands right now. If the black n white was reversed, black lines, then it would easier on ink. From an aesthetic point of view, that is up to the viewer but I like the stylized one over the simple one.
    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)


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  3. #3

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    I certainly agree about the ink usage. I am not to concerned about that cost, as I was more interested in using these maps on screen rather than on paper. I do like to get others points of view, even their subjective or aesthetic views. The "simple one" is intentionally inverted or reversed in colors. Typically a "hand-drawn" map would have black outlines for walls and white/lighter areas for open floors. There was an interesting map in the booklet found in one of the "god of war" video games that used this sort of reversed colors. I think they were basing the style off a form a decoration found on old greek/roman pottery. (white outlines that surround solid black or dark colored figures) Anyway I thought the reversed colors looked rather "dark and ominous" That's kinda what i was thinking anyway.

  4. #4
    Community Leader Facebook Connected Ascension's Avatar
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    Ah, well then, yep. Mission accomplished
    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

  5. #5

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    I have continued to experiment with the same basic dungeon room layout, and I an trying to combine the two previous styles into one. Here is what I have come up with so far. To my eye this is starting to look better... anyone care to share their thoughts?
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  6. #6

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    Ok, another stylistic experiment... I definitely think this one is the best by far. Now to make a mega-dungeon using this style!
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    Last edited by muddle; 04-11-2010 at 06:35 PM.

  7. #7
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    The dark one looks cool. The orange one looks like it's really hot there.
    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

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    lol, yep I'm starting a new company... Muddle's Rather Toasty Subterranean Real Estate Inc. We have special deals on underground lairs over 150 degrees... ; )

  9. #9
    Guild Journeyer someguy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by muddle View Post
    Ok, another stylistic experiment... I definitely think this one is the best by far. Now to make a mega-dungeon using this style!
    Its a temple of the fire goddess!
    My current thread, Developing a plausible and functional system for Fantasy Economics in an rpg.

  10. #10

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    All are great. I would say that my personal favorite was the black-on-white one. I thought that was rather interesting. I loved the reversed colors. What did you use to make it?

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