Mapping software

[RavenX]

Campaign Cartographer and Fractal Mapper are somewhat similar in my opinion. I use CC3 right now personally. The learning curve is there as many people have mentioned but the time invested was worth learning it. And it beats drawing many of these maps by hand.

 

[Mmurphy]

@ 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!

Buying 1 piece of software for GM'ing only gets you weird looks. Buying two pieces of software gets you into the 'committed' category. Buying 3 pieces of software for GMing is classified as insane. Since we all know no one has EVER bought more than 3 pieces of software for GMing we can reasonably say that 1 is good enough for a membership into the Insane GM club.

I repeat for anyone listening, no one has ever, in their life, even considered buying more than 3 pieces of software to aid in GMing.

 

[Aaron]

Hero Lab + Realm Works + CC3, looks like I'm a certified nutter!

 

[Dervish]

Hero Lab + Realm Works + CC3, looks like I'm a certified nutter!

Hero lab,Realm works,The Keep,Fractal Mapper, Fractal Terrains, CC3 and CC3+,DD3,CD3,D20pro, Advanced Dungeons and Dragons core rules 2 and expansion. I supported Kickstarters for Mote,D20pro unlimited, Obsidian Portal, and otherworld mapper. I support those people who make tools that make my life as a GM easier I am more than a bit certifiable

 

[Parody]

Not to mention some of us have been creating game aids on their computers since before some of their current players were born.

 

[stuartwaring]

I'm in the same boat as Aaron. Somehow a game based entirely on imagination has become an extremely expensive hobby!

 

[Chemlak]

Okay, let's see if I can get this right...

CC (the original), DD (the original), The Profantasy Worldbuilder Bundle (because I'm not going to remember everything that comes in it), CC3+, ToUM, Hero Lab (multiple licences, multiple game systems), Realm Works (GM edition kickstarted and a 5-pack of player editions), AD&D Core Rules 2 & Expansion.

Can't think of anything else, but I am the current caretaker of the Ultimate Campaign Kingdom Tracking Spreadsheet.

Yep, I'm an outright nutter.

 

[Dark Lord Galen]

Hero Lab + Realm Works + CC3, looks like I'm a certified nutter!

...... I support those people who make tools that make my life as a GM easier I am more than a bit certifiable

While I to support those that make tools that make my DMing easier, I trump that with I will also at times pull their chains. Here's to ya Rob

Not to mention some of us have been creating game aids on their computers since before some of their current players were born.

Parody has a valid point.... when you can say you have tools that are older than your players, I think that elevates it to Royal Nutter.

I'm in the same boat as Aaron. Somehow a game based entirely on imagination has become an extremely expensive hobby!

LOL this made me laugh out loud... SO TRUE, what was a divirsion some 30 years ago because we as a group couldn't afford to go out, it became a pastime of pizza and dungeon crawl ( hey what else can you do for 8 people with $20?)... Now all these years later, I have an insane game room (insert "thanks to the wife" plug here) and can come on varied forums (back in my day they were bulletin boards) and talk with folks on our shared terminal affliction.

Okay, let's see if I can get this right...
CC (the original), DD (the original), The Profantasy Worldbuilder Bundle (because I'm not going to remember everything that comes in it), CC3+, ToUM, Hero Lab (multiple licences, multiple game systems), Realm Works (GM edition kickstarted and a 5-pack of player editions), AD&D Core Rules 2 & Expansion.
Can't think of anything else, but I am the current caretaker of the Ultimate Campaign Kingdom Tracking Spreadsheet.
Yep, I'm an outright nutter.

Humm, I would be embarrassed to list all of the varied softwares, tools, etc I have utilized. Lets just say I've pretty much seen them all. When you have close to $20k (adjusted to current market pricing) just in lead figures @ an average of $3 each, I think that alone would qualify me as a Royal Nutter

DLG
Royal Nutter
& Unofficial Rob Bad Guy Dog house Occupant

 

[Dark Lord Galen]

Back to the Thread...
for all in general, I think when making a map of any kind there should be some questions asked first.

1. How will I utilize the map?
   
   Do I see this printed out as a handout?
   As a Battle Map?
   As an Electronic map for use as display or Virtual Table Top?​
2. Do I see this map as a one shot and throw away?
3. Do I intend to revisit, or reuse map in the future?
4. Do I intend to update the map?
5. Do I intend to share the map with others for their use?

I'm sure there are more things to consider, but those above would cover most.
Once you can define each of those it will help in your selection of the "right tool for the job".
Consider also if you intend on printing the map...

1. How large does it need to be?
2. Can my printer do that size?
3. 3rd party printing might be cheaper than killing my cartridges in my printer?

General Support Considerations

1. How much $ can I afford to put toward the tool?
2. How much time can I spend Learning the tool and then utilizing it?
   This one is a tough one, When the point is to "play the game" you don't want to spend more than a quantifiable amount of your "free time" to support your "game time". All of our time is demanded from may directions. LDW (and others) are making a living selling you a solution to getting the most value from your time spent in support of your gaming time. DMing is a passion, its not for everyone.
3. How much (electronically) will be required to use the tool to its full benefit?
   Meaning> Do you have enough PC, Printer, Monitor, etc to use the tool effectively. Often times I have had to upgrade hardware to support the use of new software. Which equates to $ also.

Once that is determined not only does the "tool" have to be considered, but the file format as well. So consider that as you choose your next tool.

my 2cp
DLG

 

[stuartwaring]

@DLG, i did indeed consider all these things, and ensured my wife signed off on it - she raised the same points as you: If you spend this much on it, are you actually going to use it enough to make it worthwhile?

My answer was yes (hopefully). WIll have to invest in the other symbol sets at some point though.

Is it worth getting the annuals though, once i am more acquainted with the program?

 

[AEIOU]

Keep in mind that gaming is a hobby. And hobbies make us happy. And happiness is priceless.

My wife helped me put things in perspective a year ago when I was trying to justify buying a new sleeping bag for over $300. And a new backpack. And maybe a new pair of boots. I recently added up the cost of my gear for a typical outing and was shocked that it was over $1500. For roughing it.... Anyways, back to my wife. She grew up skiing pretty frequently. She asked me how much I'm paying for lodging on the trail (nada), how much for food ($15-20 for a weekend), how much for travel ($20ish) and how often do I replace gear (almost never). Then she pointed out that between gear, gas, lodging and eating out, skiing and most other sports hobbies made my outdoors budget look downright thrifty. I bought the sleeping bag and didn't feel guilty.

For me, CC3 is the same way. My wife may some day regret putting things into perspective....

 

[Paragon]

All decent mapping software has a learning curve, and neither CC3 nor FM8 are small here; the former is probably more versatile, while the latter is somewhat (but only somewhat) easier to use.

 

[Exmortis]

I like AEIOU am a long time owner and just now mapper with Campaign Cartographer.

I just posted my first ever official work over at ProFantasy, check it out would love your feed back. Consider this a half a days work or so by an amateur, second full map attempt. When I was originally starting it, checked the Profantasy site for some tips, saw the new version was close, so decided to wait, it was worth it!

This was done using CC3+ and Mike Schley style which is just amazing!
http://forum.profantasy.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=4958&page=1#Item_0

 

[Dervish]

I am loving CC3+ the only thing i can see is that the mountains are a bit large for my taste but they are not wrong its just a matter of preference

 

[AEIOU]

Change the scale? You can make them as big or small as you like.

 

[stuartwaring]

That looks brilliant. I have seen a lot of really incredible looking maps from CC3+ users, but am so far away from that right now!

 

[Chemlak]

Change the scale? You can make them as big or small as you like.

This can be done manually before placement by holding Ctrl and moving the mouse up and down, as well as more precisely by selecting the entity and editing the scale.

 

[Mmurphy]

This can be done manually before placement by holding Ctrl and moving the mouse up and down, as well as more precisely by selecting the entity and editing the scale.

By right mouse clicking just before placing the feature (while the feature is in the mouse). Note that CC3/CC3+ remembers your set scale so you will have to change it back when/if you want the original scale

 

[Vargr]

I use Hexographer in the Pro version.

I have been looking at the other tools (CC3, Fractal Mapper among others).

I love the maps I have seen others make, but alas, I neither have the patience nor the skill - not to mention the time - to pull that off.

I have had Hexographer for 2-3 weeks now and have got more mapping done already than I ever had in my entire life previously.

It is easy and fast to make maps and it is a surprisingly versatile and strong program.

I will recommend it if you like me need an easy and fast tool to make maps today that you need tomorrow at the gaming table.

My main concern is getting places and natural features placed in relation to another, so that I can look at it and make my story consistent (at least as far as the geography is concerned). All the blows and whistles of CC3 gets in the way for me as I end up spending more time on making a short coastline (and not even a good one at that) than I do on preparing for the game itself.

But boy, does the CC3 maps look beautiful when done by someone who knows what they are doing.

 

[Paragon]

Hexographer is good for what it is, but people need to be aware what that is: terrain hex maps (and Traveller style sector/system maps); if you also want something for buildings or battlemaps, its not going to do it.