Maps!

[Steve S]

Hello all,

I would very much like to post a fantasy map (relating to my new novel) on my website. However, I have only been blessed with limited (and that's being generous!) artistic ability so I wondered if there was any software suitable to this purpose that anyone could recommend? I may be in fantasyland myself now, but if there was a package that provided you with set template features such as trees, mountains etc that could be added to a basic map that would be perfect! Any help or recommendations would be much appreciated!

Cheers and best wishes

Steve

[Talysia]

I have the same problem. Usually, I draw my own maps, and they never come out the way I think they should. Whilst I'm unlikely to have anything published, it's still nice to have a good map - even if only for my own reference - so it'll be good to see what gets posted here.

Thanks for raising the issue!

[Rane Longfox]

The only good mapping software I've ever seen availiable online is incredably complicated to use, unfortunately. I did a bit of research into the topic a while ago, but that was on an older computer, and I have no way of finding any of the links, unfortunately. Personally, maps are the only thing that I am any good at drawing at all, so it seemed easier to not bother with the software at the time

[Lenny]

What was it called? It doesn't matter that it was hard to use - even the most complicated programs become easier to use after hours of playing around with it.

[Rane Longfox]

Like I said, it was quite a while ago, so I can't remember what it was called, sorry. Maybe when I go back home and can use the computer at easter, I'll be able to find something...

[Lenny]

No worries.

I've got two programs - Bryce and MapMaker - that I got in the hope of teaching myself to use them to plan out landscapes and make maps. Never happened, though.

[Majimaune]

If you want a map to copy of I got one that you can use. Its in two parts though.
They are here and here.

[nettle]

Originally Posted by Lenny

No worries.

I've got two programs - Bryce and MapMaker - that I got in the hope of teaching myself to use them to plan out landscapes and make maps. Never happened, though.

Is any of them free?

[Lenny]

MapMaker Gratis is, but the Pro version isn't..

It's an absolute monster to get working, but when it does work then the maps are pretty nice... well, at least the ones in the tutorials are!

Map Maker - Desktop Mapping

[TorrnT]

Hmmm, interesting replies to Steve's question.
I found your question by accident, ( I actually joined to answer this question,this is my first post so i cant place a link, but Google "ProFantasy Software" or "Campaign Cartographer 3") a month late but i hope it helps.
I also have a project in development which requires fantasy maps i tried this (and after a few headaches managed to master it).
Check out The ProFantasy site, CC3 is much improved over clunky cc2, also you will find other software for creating dungeons etc, but i cant possibly comment on these as i have only tried CC3 (which is CAD software).

{ patience and practice, Become their master and you can master everything }

[Sephiroth]

Oh! Another month later, I second that recommendation. I have rendered my entire planet in Fractal Terrains Pro (by the same company, and the world can then be exported to CC to add the map details).