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Mapping software

S

stuartwaring

Well-known member
Having had a bit more practice with RW, I am really keen to use the maps section for my games, but have not yet invested in mapping software.
The two I have come across are dundjinni and the various Profantasy programs

Any thoughts as to advantages and disadvantages, or of course any other progtams?

Thanjs
 
I'm a Campaign Cartographer user.

Pros:
Awesome maps, really flexible.

Cons:
Expensive! Costs a lot to get all of the features you'll probably want.
Steep learning curve. But once you know how it works, it's really quick and easy to use.
 
Not that I've had to do much RPG mapping lately, but I draw maps in my desktop publishing program. (MultiAd Creator, though new projects will likely be started in InDesign.)

While I've owned them for years (I picked up a package of most of them in the CC2 era) I have yet to spend the time figuring out Campaign Cartographer and its related programs. It's hard going between the DTP and CAD worlds. :(

Dundjinni hasn't been updated for years, which makes me want to stay away from it. My only experience with it was a very long time ago and I never got it working correctly.
 
I'm very happy with Campaign Cartographer. And the new version CC3+ is a major improvement in speed. It'll take a few months for all the add-ons to get converted over to the new format but the forums are helpful, the program is intuitive (AFTER you learn it) and the tutorials (which are a must) are helpful.

Mapping software is an investment of both time and money....
 
I use Fractal Mapper and Campaign Cartographer and while CC3 does have a healthy learning curve there is a resource Joe Sweeny has a set of tutorials on you tube that are excellently done.
 
Chemlak said:
I'm a Campaign Cartographer user.

Pros:
Awesome maps, really flexible.

Cons:
Expensive! Costs a lot to get all of the features you'll probably want.
Steep learning curve. But once you know how it works, it's really quick and easy to use.
Click to expand...
Agree to all of this. I am really happy with CC3, though it did take time and patience to get past the learning curve. Highly recommended.
 
I also use Fractal Mapper and Campaign Cartographer, but it requires an investment of money and especially time. I ended up hiring someone to create a professional looking version of my world map so I could print as a poster for my game room. But I use CC3 for putting together area maps. What I love most about CC3 is the City Builder add-on that allows me to quickly generate an entire city. I can also trace along a road and have it fill in houses of various sizes. I use the city features more than anything else because it really saves a lot of time in creating cities, villages, and towns. It is also great for area and world maps, which is its main use for most people. If you spend the time learning it, you can put together some professional looking maps quickly, but it really isn't very time saving IMHO. The city builder, though, that makes the price of the entire product worth it, saves time and tons of fun.
 
I have and have used CC3, Fractal Mapper, and Hexographer - depending on what I need.

I don't know about the recent CC3 update, so I'm not sure what the learning curve is now, but in the past it wasn't minor. On the other hand, it is capable of making some incredible maps.

Fractal Maps is a pretty easy program to use - it's my choice for a quick battlemap or whatnot.

Hexographer is a mapping program that I primarily use for my overland/world map - as the name suggests, it marks everything by way of hexes. Simple to use, it's really easy to make what you want.
 
Thanks for all the inputs - seems we have a lot of CC3 fans. May have to stump up the cash (cant spend it on RW Content yet so might as well!)
 
I use CC3 (now CC3+) and I love it. I can make a 500 mile x 500 mile map in about 10 minutes that looks good (30 minutes makes it look excellent).

Watch the videos by Joe Sweeney (pirate island) and you pretty much have the basics enough to make great maps.

A suggestion if you decide to get into Campaign Cartographer. Buy just CC3 (or CC3+ if you can). Start using it then buy the add-ons. If it saves you money by buying the add-ons with CC3, then don't install them right away. Play with the base line program to start. Get use to the program before you buy all the add-ons other wise you will be overwhelmed by the sheer "I can do everything but don't know how to do anything".
 
Dunjinni seems very close to being abandoned. The owner hasn't been seen online in at least two years, and the software hasn't been updated.

Fractal Mapper is probably the cheapest option. Although many people swear by its simplicity, I've never managed to work it out. I do like its random world creator, though.

I've used CC for years. It's the more expensive option (you'll probably want CC3, Dungeon Designer 3 and City Designer 3, with other add-ons depending on particular requirements). But it's precise, flexible and powerful. You get what you pay for.
 
For me, it depends on what type of map.. and how much detail / often I anticipate its use..

CC3- if I intend to repurpose dungeon and city type maps
Dungeon Crafter III for a quick dungeon map with just a room or two. This is very customizable and low learning curve, but has its limitations.

IF I have the time.. (hahah) I use a combo of Worldmachine and Carrara with a sprinkling of Bryce and Photoshop. This combo produces superior 3d / iso type maps, but I only do that for maps I intend to use over and over.

CC3 I won't go into since most are familiar with its capabilities.
Examples:

Dungeon Crafter - Example
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World Machine Top View of a Canyon
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Iso View in World Machine
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3D View with Carrara
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Joe over at Inkwell Ideas has Cityographer & Dungeonographer which are both fairly good with low learning curve
see here>http://cityographer.com/

Just my 2cp
DLG
 

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Thanks for all the advice - I have invested in CC3+

I am feeling that learning curve right now. I have done some real basic stuff almost instantly, but trying to do anything even remotely funky leads me pretty quickly into a hole.

As an aside: Is it odd that in one post on this forum I have spoken about how I would like to invest less time in using RW by buying content, and yet in another, I am ploughing ahead in learning yet more time consuming software. Anybody else find themselves in the same position???
 
Since you've taken the big plunge and snagged CC3+, I'd first like to welcome you to the ranks of insane GMs who buy software just for gaming, but I'd also like to strongly recommend the Tome of Ultimate Mapping for use with CC. It's (surprise!) a bit of money, but is a complete set of documentation, a comprehensive guide, and has some truly fantastic handy-dandy tips and tricks that the CC3 manual doesn't cover.

Next: work through the tutorial in CC. This is not a piece of pick-up-and-play software. You're already aware of the learning curve (and I'm glad it hasn't put you off), but the tutorial walks you through things brilliantly. I'd recommend doing all of the tutorial before even trying your own map. It teaches you good habits you won't learn if you just jump in.

Good luck!
 
@ Chelmak
Does buying RW not get me into the Insane GM club?

Thanks for the tip on the Tome, I was strongly considering it, but i think i will get it printed, as i find it hard to read on screen.

Have already tried the whole pick up and play thing with a small amount of success but as mentioned found myself in a world of hurt. Am indeed going back to tutorials now!
 
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