The World of Avlis

The GF's old man lent me his copy of Coral Draw 8 and a idoits guide.

My question to anyone who has used this package before is it really good for developing maps? Maps in the sense of old style world maps?

GF will not budge her ass of my PC at the moment, as she's very into Rome Total War..... But when I do manage to boot her off it, I will be loading it up and having a crack at it.

Anyone has any tips or is there a better package out there thats easy to use for simple folk like me? *coughs* Free of course *coughs*

I did a google search and found a couple of free download programs but at the moment having 8 hours access to a PC to download it, is kinda slim at the moment.

Ta...

I've been using Corel Draw9 for some time and it's a great program, but no, I don't think it's very good for making maps.

Simius wrote:I've been using Corel Draw9 for some time and it's a great program, but no, I don't think it's very good for making maps.

Ah......... um.......... hmmmmm....... *sigh*.

I see..... Well err I will have to um...... Hijack the GF's Uncles PC!


*hopes a flood of fantastic and awesome web links fills the thread up. Very much like the flow of candy in the ONLY Charlie And The Chocolate Factory film ((Gene Wilder <---- Badly spelt I know))*

If you've searched for free graphics software you will have already found The Gimp. This link is to WinGimp by the way.

Good things about it are layers, which with a map for example, will allow you to overlay settlement names over a terrain layer. Well, as many layers as you like really and you can view them or hide them, which simplifies editing. But a lot of graphics software will give you layers.

The Gimp is good because of the large amount of support - through user groups, plus tutorials, filters, script-fu and other free add-ons available.

Highly recommended.

Edit: here is the link to the free Gimp for Windows

Pirate (Yarr!) or buy some Paint Shop Pro. It's the best for all your image needs! *high fives Buddha*

yarr'ed photoshop a long time ago (5.0) and it still works like a charm.

I currently use Photoshop CS (which our marketing dept bought for me - they really need to learn to read the invoices they sign off )

I barely scratch the surface of what it does but meh

For the olde world maps that look good either Gimp or Photoshop are the best options. There are a ton of websites that offer tutorials, it might take awhile but you should be able to find one that walks you through the process of making a decent looking map. Photoshop CS 2 costs shitloads so go with the Gimp.

If you can get hold of a scanner or know someone who has one it would be best. Draw the map in pencil, then trace it using black ink, then you use an eraser and rub out all the pencil marks so you have a nice clean ink drawing. Then scan it into the PC and clean it up in Gimp, add the effects and fonts to make it look fantasy. Trying to draw with a mouse takes alot of getting used to, drawing it the old fashioned way and then scanning is alot easier.

The above maps are good for the fluff and concept work, but when it comes to building a world it's a good idea to plan out dungeons, areas and countries using some RPG tools before creating them. Here's a link to a program called Autorealm that allows you to map out areas before building: http://www.rpglibrary.org/software/autorealm/ It isn't pretty but very functional.

Thank you guys for the advice and links. Been a real help....