Hello all, I am new here and this is my first post, so if this has been asked, please don't shoot me!
Anyway, anyone know of any good free, or cheap, map making software somewhere in the endless void that is the internet?
Any and all suggestions are helpful!
Thanks!
~MhB~
autorealm.
Autorealm...mixed with the GIMP...and paint...and A LOT of free time.
Autorealm is decent for free, but you can actually do a good bit more with a decent photo/line editor, such as the Gimp, or Inkscape.
Welcome to the site!
Thanks everyone!
Tell us about your world! :)
Quote from: IshmaylTell us about your world! :)
Yes, he gets really bossy sometimes. Like he owns the place or something ;)
Welcome Metal Head Bard!
I would add something, but currently I'm no good with maps or map making software. I'd go with what they said...
Just ignore Poseidon right now, he's just envious of my suggestive powers here on the site.
(Suggestion - If you don't tell us about your world, a flock of rabid leatherbacks will swarm down upon you)
Personally I use a tablet with GIMP to make mine recently, but the tablet did cost me $80 which is not what you're looking for.
I assure you that GIMP is awesome.
Quote from: dolalmothI assure you that GIMP is awesome.
I may have to check out GIMP at some time I have Paint Shop Pro and it is fine for what I usually do, but it is missing some filters that Photoshop has (though I've come across a way to grab those filters I'm just too lazy to do it.). I have a tablet as well(which isn't as useful if you don't have the artistic talent to begin with.)
When I get a bit more done with my world, I will be more then happy to share it with you guys!
GIMP is open source, so you can find just about anything for plugins or filters
I would suggest GIMP as well as its what i now use. with knowledge of a couple techniques learned from tutorials from the Cartographer's Guild you can make nice maps really fast. Here is an example, and i only installed GIMP maybe two months ago and it took me no more than 5 minutes to make this. Super fast, about 10 or less steps.
(//../../e107_files/public/1219291759_729_FT54220_north_.jpg) (//../../e107_files/public/1219291759_729_FT54220_north.jpg)
Quote from: LathI would suggest GIMP as well as its what i now use. with knowledge of a couple techniques learned from tutorials from the Cartographer's Guild you can make nice maps really fast. Here is an example, and i only installed GIMP maybe two months ago and it took me no more than 5 minutes to make this. Super fast, about 10 or less steps.
(//../../e107_files/public/1219291759_729_FT54220_north_.jpg) (//../../e107_files/public/1219291759_729_FT54220_north.jpg)
Got an equivalent tut for photoshop (I have cs)?
Quote from: NomadicGot an equivalent tut for photoshop (I have cs)?
I'd check the Cartographers Guild forums, there are many tutorials on creating maps in Photoshop, as well as custom brushes, etc.
So this "Tablet" you guys speak of, is it basically a high tech pencil and paper for your computer? And GIMP, is that he software? And where can I buy this "Tablet"?
You can find them at amazon, I recommend the Grapphire for a good price and good quality.
You can find them all over these sticky intarwebs...and the ones that they have at Best Buy are pretty nice (my girlfriend bought one) but very expensive.
There are a bunch of digital cartography tutorials here (http://artwiki.wikidot.com/digital-cartography). They are for GIMP and Inkscape - both freely downloadable Open Source programs.
tablet is not neccessary, you just use it instead of a mouse. I dony use one, they are faster and easyer to draw with (obviously). I just use GIMP for mapping and inkscape for labling (and eventually rivers too).