map creation?

[WeThePeople...]

That would be it. The article mentions software for creating maps. Anyone heard of a program like that? Seems like it could be great help for elevation and water features...

[Lenny]

Great stuff.

Methinks I might actually put all that into a Word document and print it off for future reference. It's definitely useful.

[chrispenycate]

In SF mode I can do seasons without axial tilt, either by doing a double star system or by making a more eliptical orbit. Changes your wind patterns and ocean currents, of course, having your two hemispheres warming and cooling at the same time, and means your sea level drops seriously in winter relative to summer - axial tilt is easier, because were used to it, but not life-threatening. The eliptical leaves day and night the same length, but the double star solution gives a longer year, and total sunlight in high summer.
So, anyone do "summer" and "winter" maps with varying coastlines and migrating species?

[WeThePeople...]

At one point I was thinking of a story whereone large moon revolves around the world every 113 years or so. Every time it comes around, wars usually start for the land which won't be affected by tidal floods. I drew two maps, one for before the flood and one after (or should that be during?). Of course, this wasn't exactly seasons, but whatever. Your idea seems logical, though, I should try it.

[chrispenycate]

Originally Posted by WeThePeople...

At one point I was thinking of a story whereone large moon revolves around the world every 113 years or so. Every time it comes around, wars usually start for the land which won't be affected by tidal floods. I drew two maps, one for before the flood and one after (or should that be during?). Of course, this wasn't exactly seasons, but whatever. Your idea seems logical, though, I should try it.

Very elongated eliptical orbit, right? And it wouldn't be a flood as such; more a continuous tsunami running a couple of times round the equator, wiping out most evidence of civilisation.
There's an interesting sideline in that the planet's molten core will be attracted just like the surface water, so you'll get vocanoes popping off like fire crackers, and earthquakes, and, in general, life will get very interesting every 113 years.

[mosaix]

We The People and Lenny - many thanks for such an interesting link!

[Lenny]

Credit goes to WTP, really. He's the one who originally found it. I just thought I'd post the link because he's only got 5 posts and wouldn't be able to.

[Culhwch]

I'll echo that thanks for the link. Just read over it quickly and let out a sigh of refief that my long-worked on imagined world is fairly plausible...

Though I would also like to see a thread where knowledgeable members could share there expertise with us yobs who don't know a redwood from a house plant.

Actually, I might set that up now...

EDIT: Done and done.... http://www.chronicles-network.com/fo...d-answers.html

[Lith]

A good atlas will have a lot of basic geological and climatological information in it. Usually in the back, where no one ever looks....

This is an issue that drives me crazy in a lot of fantasy novels- when the shape of the land is wrong, or when the climate is wrong. It's amazing how often mountain ranges run right along book spines.

Edit: and mountains usually run as ridges along continents- very rarely will you see a shape such as Mordor, a sudden ring of mountains running in what is essentially a circle, unless it is one heck of a massive crater.

glances at link to wiki... a good basic article, but there are of course exceptions to the rules. But you need to learn the basics first, right? Especially the one talking about heavier rainfall on the slopes of mountains, with drier climates inland, very much like the mountain ranges are squeezing water out of the clouds as they pass by, which they are.

[scalem X]

Actually: when writing fantasy, one doesn't really need to follow guidelines.
You can have your own exceptions. But beware:
Either explain them, or make sure they don't conflict with other things.

What I mean for example if in your novel the river 'oeaiuoliuoawagawagga' streams from the sea towards the hills, you need either an explanation (ancient ogre magic for example). Or you need to have all rivers going upwards from sea level. Or this is the only river and it just works like that in the world...

Just beware of your changes to reality.

[lon gallamour]

i usually start with the rivers and just work my way backward, adding mountains in the uplands, delta at the coast, really the river and the roads are the key

[WeThePeople...]

that's funny, i usually start with mountains, then coast,with rivers and cities last

[jezelf]

I anwsered a similar thread about creating a universe which included a thing about map making...

If you have Photoshop here's a fun little thing to do for you to create inspire your world/map making if you're blocked..

1:make sure you have B&W colours (though not essential)
2:create a new image give it a good resolution, lets say 2000pixels X 1500pixels
3:filter>render>difference clouds>ok
4: (optional) hit Ctrl+F as many times as you like to add more detail
5:image>adjust>threshold>play with the threshold level till you're happy>ok

you should now have some instant continents or islands!
There are many 3d packages out there like Bryce that could take it further.
and there's more you can do in PS.

my other ideas are in the other thread - though I cant make a link yet as I've only just joined.

Jez

[Lenny]

Hmmm... I've got both Photoshop and Bryce somewhere, and I've even succeeded in making a nice grey sphere on a grey background, in Bryce, that I was quite proud of.

If you're a Bryce user yourself, then can I ask, is it possible to create something in Photoshop - for example, the layout of a world - and import it into Bryce as a skin of sorts to apply to my pretty little grey sphere? If not Bryce, I don't suppose you know if it would be possible in other programs such as Maya, 3DS Max, zBrush, or even Sketchup?

[Rosemary]

In the little writing I have done, I usually wait until the story is finished, although I do make a note of what type of geographical features I will need. Most of those are worked from the mountains, down the rivers to the coast.

Do we have a thread on the flora and fauna for Historical Fantasy? I've gone back a fair way and unable to find anything.

Is that Photoshop the Adobe one Lenny?