Idiot-proof map making software please

[Bakkerbaard]

Hello!

Okay, so I wanna make a map with three major cities on it and a few minor settlements because I'm working on a project and it helps me if I can actually stare at a map that's now only in my head. You'd think that would be enough, but with my goldfish-like focus, everytime I try and zoom in on my head-map I suddenly get porn pop-ups.

What I would really like is to be able to make a map of the whole world and then some closer maps of the cities. Now, I've looked at a few sites that google presented me with and ProFantasy seems to have stuff that'll do what I want and Envato's 3D Map Generator stuff is especially pretty, but they're all paid software.
I'm not adverse to paying for something, but the realist in me figured out that I'll use it exactly once as my idea has all the potential to crash and burn gloriously, so I wanna start out with something free. Or a demo.
I even thought about pulling out SimCity again, but that doesn't give me all the control I want and it'll expect me to achieve goals. However, if there's a videogame out there somewhere that has goodmap making potential, I'd be interested.
SimSeries, Railroad Tycooon and Civ have already been considered... I'll recheck Civ5, to be sure.

Drawing by hand would be possible, but not preferable, because what little skill I posess is not focussed in the art department and I'd like to go all Slartibartfast on the map, seeing what it would do if I move this tree two pixels to the left and what if I make an extra fiddly bit here or there?

So, as Cartographers, what would you say I should have a look at? Present-day visuals would be nice, but I could pass off an Orcish castle for a city icon.
Thanks in advance!

[Mouse]

Hello BB

I think we all wish there was a really fast way to just think a map into existence in 30 minutes flat, but sadly there isn't - not even with CC3+... well... actually... I could knock a full regional map together in 30 minutes flat with CC3, but I've been using it for a year.

The sad truth is that whatever software you use you will have to spend some time (and possibly some money as well) either learning how to use a purpose built app (like CC3), or drawing your own stuff (with GIMP for example).

btw - CC3 comes with a 14 day money back guarantee if you don't like it

[Chronist]

Try this one: https://inkarnate.com

i really like it for fast map making - u can make them more nice if u work them out by photoshop or Gimp ...

[deaddmwalking]

Try this one: https://inkarnate.com

i really like it for fast map making - u can make them more nice if u work them out by photoshop or Gimp ...

Thanks for posting that link. I think inkarnate looks good for sketching a quick regional map. I like the way it blends terrain colors and lets you 'brush' without painting into the ocean (ie, the brush knows to stick to land masses) and it automatically stays underneath the mountains. That's as close to idiot-proof as you can get!

Ultimately, I'd like more control over what I'm doing. I had (have) Campaign Cartographer 3 with Fractal Terrains but haven't done the latest update. I thought I would work with GIMP and/or Corel PaintShop Pro. I thought I might get Photoshop, but it appears it is only available by subscription - I'd rather buy it and have it forever.

I'm in the process of looking through all the guides, but is there a 'pros and cons' of the various software solutions available? I dropped $100 on Paintshop Pro and only later found out it didn't do 'clouds' which I've already found very helpful in GIMP. Is there a consensus here on what's best to use?

I'm also curious about the tablet w/ pen versus mouse (next stop is reading 51 pages of that). Photoshop included a digital download which was helpful for my Surface Pro (no CD drive) but the bundle I bought also included AfterShot and Painter Essentials, and they don't seem to be available for download (unless I'm supposed to download the trial version and then activate it using the Serial Number I already have).

In any case, I'd appreciate anyone pointing me in the right direction. There's so much good information here that I'll be digging through for a while. Hitting the highlights would be helpful for me.

PS - I'm interesting in all types of maps. I want to do world/regional maps, smaller location maps, and battle-maps. I use maps for RPGs.

[heruca]

I want to do world/regional maps, smaller location maps, and battle-maps. I use maps for RPGs.

For battlemaps, you should have a look at my MapForge software, particularly if you need print resolution (which I don't think Inkarnate can manage, yet).