NationStates Jolt Archive


MAP - programm recommended?

[NS]Narcotic
16-07-2005, 09:53
Hey guys. Me and some other guys from "zwanzigsechsland" just joined this game yesterday and we would like to make a map.

can someone recommend something that for`? i mean, i have seen some maps and they do not look like they were made in Photoshop or Paint.

Thanks.
Kozaka
16-07-2005, 10:04
lol, alot of the maps the look like they wern't made in paint or photoshop, are, take my region's, it was all done in paint, while, since you know it was it makes sence, but if you didn't know you would'nt think so, and only think the text was added in paint lol.

Kozake aka Kozaka(I lost my password to old 1.5 billion pop nation :( )
[NS]Narcotic
16-07-2005, 10:13
well, then....thanks a lot, i will try to create a nice map in paint.
E-Xtremia
16-07-2005, 18:00
I found the easiest to use is Paint Shop Pro or equivilent (at least something that can do layers)

Make the bottom layer (AKA, background) the plain, blank map you want to use.

Next, put the nation layer. On that one, you put all the nations that have claimed map spaces.

The one after that use for water. Rivers, oceans, etc, such that you dont need to paint around them on the nation selection.

The last and top-most layer make your cities and labels layer. As the name implys, you draw all the cities you want to appear on the map, and they will easily change from nation to nation if needed. Also put the nation names on this layer.



Granted, my present map has 10 layers (further diversification) but those basic 4 worked great for me for nearly a year, hope this helps... and worse case, ask if someone would be interested in an assist of some kind (feel free to drop me a TG if you need any further help/advice, or an IM, the SN is in my sig)
Trokenyan
17-07-2005, 06:42
AutoREALM.

Hands down best for maps. It's free, too. I don't have the URL to hand, and am too rushed to look for it, but Google should find it.

It's not the easiest thing to use, but the power more than makes up for it. Heck, the "fractal polyline" function alone is invaluable.
New Genoa
18-07-2005, 04:43
AutoREALM.

Hands down best for maps. It's free, too. I don't have the URL to hand, and am too rushed to look for it, but Google should find it.

It's not the easiest thing to use, but the power more than makes up for it. Heck, the "fractal polyline" function alone is invaluable.

I used autorealm to create my original map (I had someone with Photoshop edit at least a year or two later) and it is very difficult to use IMHO. Constantly, I find my land disappearing (thus I need to restart) for no reason, even when I zoom out fully. Filling things in is difficult as well.
Trokenyan
18-07-2005, 05:06
I used autorealm to create my original map
Could you please give me a URL or some such for that? I'd lke to see what you did.

(I had someone with Photoshop edit at least a year or two later) and it is very difficult to use IMHO. Constantly, I find my land disappearing (thus I need to restart) for no reason, even when I zoom out fully.
Ah, I've had that happen with maps once I got up to four or five layers. Thing is, you have to not use the scroll bars along the side; use the move-around tool (the nav bar button is a four-way arrow). Doing that you'll never "lose" what you're working on.

Filling things in is difficult as well.
Oh, I don't bother filling in. I prefer a clean, lines-only look.
New Genoa
23-07-2005, 00:29
Unfortunately, I don't really have the original. However, the below map made by someone for me is based off the original. the fractals certainly are.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/alman9898/random2/new_genoa_current.png
Trokenyan
26-07-2005, 04:50
Unfortunately, I don't really have the original. However, the below map made by someone for me is based off the original. the fractals certainly are.

Interesting. Thanks for sharing. How were the mountains done?
New Genoa
29-07-2005, 20:16
Interesting. Thanks for sharing. How were the mountains done?

That part was done on Paint shop pro
Arakaria
29-07-2005, 20:22
Do you know other good automatised map makers?