Greetings!
Sorry I didn't see your posting earlier.
There are a couple of crucial points that you've defined too vaguely for me. You write
andback in the day, when I've played a lot,
but you don't make quite clear what your goal is. Why do you want to make maps? The things I quoted suggest that you might want to make maps to use in RPG gaming, but that's not necessarily the case. I would give you varying answers to your base question, depending upon the purpose of your maps.After over a decade without regular playing and DMing,
If you plan to run one or more RPG campaigns as game master, then you will need to make the best maps possible in the least time possible so that the map(s) is/are on the table at your next gaming session.
If ... like the three members of our project group ... you're publishing and all members of the group have equal responsibilities for text and cartography, you also need to complete maps quickly. In that case, all three of us use the same software programs and we map according to a binding style book to map the maps look as though the all come from the same source.
Some guild members make maps on commission for RPGs without text responsibilities. They have various deadlines to meet. Some have to produce a map in a week's time. Others have three of six months or maybe even a year. Those with short deadlines may need different software than those with long deadlines.
There also are lot of guild members who aren't involved in RPGs and who make maps simply for the joy of making maps. They post their work here and elsewhere and that's its end line. Such cartographers are fortunate in a sense, because the only deadlines with which they have to be concerned are those that they set for themselves.
If I were a cartographer with long deadlines or one who simply was making maps for the joy of doing it, I would stay away from cartographic programs like MapForge (more or less successor to Dundjinni), Fractal Mapper 8 or Campaign Cartographer 3+. I have licensed versions of and have used all three of them myself. Many people have done magnificent work with these programs. But I've never seen a map anywhere made with any of them that in my judgment approaches the quality of the best Photoshop and GIMP creations posted here at the guild. If time is on your side, my recommendation is that you go with Photoshop or GIMP and add whatever other graphic programs that you prefer for secondary work.
However, neither the other members of the Vintyri Project nor I have time on our side. We sometimes need to complete two to three maps in a day's time to drop into a campaign accessory or an RPG in decent (we hope) quality albeit below masterpiece level. Our main goal is strategic usability rather than the beauty of the masters. We've found that we've had no choice but to use a program like MapForge, Fractal Mapper or CC3+. However, which of these programs is best for you depends upon your needs, usage and budget.
One issue goes across all three of these programs in their current versions: They are 32-bit applications, making them quite dated technologically – late 20th century. They can address the resources of a modern PC only to a limited extent. Most frustrating is their ability to use only 4 GB RAM when your computer many have 16, 32 or 64 GB RAM. Photoshop and the GIMP are available in 64-bit versions.
MapForge from Battleground Games LLC:
https://www.mapforge-software.com/
This is a relatively new program designed as a successor to the old flagship mapping program Dundjinni. It can produce maps of near Photoshop or GIMP quality.
Advantages: Lowest learning curve of the three. One can almost sit down and begin to use it. I have yet to see maps by veteran FM8 or CC3+ cartographers that match the quality of good MapForge works.
Disadvantages: 32-Bit application created with Adobe Director in the Lingo programming language, no announced 64-bit plans. The degree to which MapForge is useable is dependent upon the drawing tools that one has available. Too few tools are delivered with MapForge to be able to map much of anything. A large library of add-ons is available. Some are free, but most are for sale. A large percentage of them are licensed only for private use. Anyone who wants a wide variety of maps needs to make a substantial investment or spend considerable time downloading objects and textures from the Internet and importing them into MapForge. Users of the MapForge forum still are reporting early post-Beta problems with crashes and operational failures. However, the program has been in full release status for only a few months.
Campaign Cartographer 3+ from ProFantasy Software Ltd:
https://www.profantasy.com/
The oldest of the cartographic programs, with the first version dating back to the DOS era. CC3+ is an application that runs atop the FastCAD program, making it the only main cartographic program that also is a CAD application. CC3+ can use both raster and vector graphics and even mix them in the same map. It can use only vector graphics in its own vector format. It uses PNG graphics for raster symbols or objects. Third party PNGs can be used, but they should be brought first into CC3+ through import procedures. The program includes the ability to apply a wide variety of special effects, greater in number than those offered by MapForge or FM8. As delivered, CC3+ is mainly an overland mapping program. It has only limited abilities and tools for mapping dungeons, cities, modern settings or science fiction elements. Add-on programs are available to extend CC3+ into these areas, but they all come at their own price. Additional add-ons are available for NPC character portraits and ISO-style maps. More than 20,000 additional third party symbols (objects) and fill patterns (textures) are available for CC3+ in free third party add-ons that can be downloaded from the Internet. These have their own installation programs and integrate fully into CC3+. The program comes with a limited manual, but users can buy a very comprehensive super-manual called the Tome of Ultimate Mapping. At an additional price one also can buy annuals, which are yearly packages of 12 sets of drawing tools, symbols, etc.
Advantages: A user who has mastered CC3+ can make maps approaching the quality of the finest Photoshop and GIMP cartography seen here at the guild.
Disadvantages: 32-Bit application, no announced 64-bit plans. One must make something of a monetary investment in add-ons to begin to make full use of CC3+. One must make an even greater investment in time to master the huge learning curve of CC3+. Many users measure that learning curve in years. To do significant dungeon mapping, one must buy the Dungeon Designer 3 add-on. To do significant city and village mapping, one must buy the City Designer 3 add-on. To do significant sci-fi mapping, one must buy the Cosmographer Add-On. Users of ProFantasy's own forum regularly complain of program crashes and failures. Editable native format maps are portable to only a very limited degree between different computers.
Fractal Mapper 8 and 9
NBOS Software
https://www.nbos.com/
Please note: At this time one either should wait before buying Fractal Mapper or buy Fractal Mapper 8 with an update in mind. The much improved Fractal Mapper 9 is about to go into beta testing and is expected to be released sometime this year.
FM8 and FM9 can use both raster and vector graphics and even mix them in the same map. They can use only vector graphics in their own vector format. They can use BMP, JPG (where transparency is unneeded) and PNG (with transparency) graphics for raster symbols or objects. Third party PNGs can be used by simply copying them into the desired folders. FM8 includes the ability to apply a wide variety of special effects, although fewer than those offered by MapForge or CC3+. FM9 will offer additional effects. Only very small libraries of raster and vector graphic symbols and fills are included with FM8. FM9 has new graphics libraries. However, more than 20,000 additional third party symbols and fills are available for FM8 and FM9 in free add-ins that can be downloaded from the Internet. These have their own installation programs and integrate fully into FM8 and FM9. As delivered, FM8 and FM9 are fully equipped for overland, dungeon and city cartography. The free third party add-ons mentioned above add the ability to make sci-fi maps. NBOS provides two, free PDF manuals that are fully comprehensive.
Advantages: The learning curve for FM8 and FM9 are low but not as low as with MapForge. However, with a week's intensive use together with the manuals, one can begin mapping on a master level with FM8 and FM9. The programs are inclusive. No add-ons are offered or needed, making FM8 and FM9 the most inexpensive of the three programs. FM8 is the stablest of the three programs. There has been no repair update for 4 years, and there are no crash reports or complaints on the forums.
Disadvantages: FM8 is a 32-bit application, however, FM9 will be offered in a 64-bit version.
Reply With Quote
