NationStates Jolt Archive

Anyone know any good mapmaking programs? Y'know, like realistic ones. not paint, etc etc.

Unfortunately, I don't. I usually just use outline maps and Paint. Just go to Google, and search for outline maps and the region you want. Tell me if you find a better world map, though.

Errrm, photoshop?

I mean proper ones, not imagery programs.

I don't know of proper ones, but I do know of some good 3D ones. Check out www.3dgamestudio.com or I use the C&C Generals Worldbuilder.

Hmm...

You might find something useful here (http://www.hut.fi/~vesanto/link.useful/maps/maps.html), but I don't think I've used anything in that list.

I've tried fractal I couldn't save on the trial version -_-. I'll have another look.

You might find something useful here (http://www.hut.fi/~vesanto/link.useful/maps/maps.html), but I don't think I've used anything in that list.

Most of the links are dead.......

I use the GIMP, or just plain hand sketch and scan.

GIMP can be fairly confusing and annoying at times, though. I wish I knew a good mapmaking program. I could use it. My maps are pathetic.

bump!

Where can I get GIMP?

http://www.gimp.org/downloads/

Try that. If you have problems, I think I know another place to download it.

Thanks. DLing now >.>

AutoRealm is a program I used, but I got rid of it.

I tried Autorealm. It was alright, but quite annoying. How can you fill in the landmass?

I filled in the landmass with Paint after making the map in autorealm.

Good idea. ^^ AutoRealm is good, but its lacking some things... Although it wasnt' designed for these sort of maps.

After 30 minutes of map making, then a tiresome error, I have come to the conclusion AutoREALM HQ is to be burned down and the people who designed it hung drawn and quartered.

Well, I've never used any map making software, but I'm curious to see how it works out for someone. I've had my best luck using Illustrator to trace real map coasts, tweaking them the way I want them, then bringing them into Photoshop for color. You can also trace rivers and such on the maps, and bring it into Photoshop, which works out much better than trying to freehand it in Photoshop.

I'll try using Autorealm and post up what i come up with in here. I want to use it primarily for Exetonia but then maybe something else.say the GreaterExetonianCommonwealth

*coughcoughTAGcough*

www.pleasejustgivemethenameofawebsitthaticanmakeamapat.com

You can make maps using the Map Editor program in the computer game Civilization. There isn't a lot of detail, but you can place mountains, rivers, deserts, swamps, and other features without much difficulty.


TEO

Most of the links are dead.......Ah. That site must've been great when new...:(
You can make maps using the Map Editor program in the computer game Civilization.Hmmm, thanks! It doesn't seem to be very good if you have a very specific shape in mind, but could be useful otherwise.

I've used Corel Photo-Paint 8 for all my maps. I draw outlines, either around real maps imported in from web searchs or free hand my own map and then use the fill option to create reliefs. Just fill with the proper textures to create oceans, mountains, etc. A lot depends on how detailed a map you want.

Interesting. Yes, I too found most of the links were dead.

Aye, Civ can be good for it.

You can make maps using the Map Editor program in the computer game Civilization. There isn't a lot of detail, but you can place mountains, rivers, deserts, swamps, and other features without much difficulty.


TEObut how do you save it?

press print screen
go to paint
go to edit> paste
viola` u have ure picture from civilaization map editior

press print screen
go to paint
go to edit> paste
viola` u have ure picture from civilaization map editior
where is the print screen button? I can't find the print button for this.

The print screen button's located just above your insert key.

Have you tried a game called Imperialism? That has good maps on it, also.

The print screen button's located just above your insert key.

Have you tried a game called Imperialism? That has good maps on it, also.
eh...
how did you know that?

Generally because keyboards are much the same, unless you're using something other than a QWERTY format.

Been meaning to make a map for ages, just need to find my making groove. I'm sure there must be a useful map making thing out there.

thanks

Here is my first attempt. I am going to try to improve upon this.

http://www.amplifeye.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/10369/GreaterExetonia%7E0.JPG

I myself just use paint - check out the folowing link for the map of my region that I have created - be warned that it is 4000x3000 pixels and is not for those without a broadband connection.

New Commonwealth Regional Map (http://www.freewebs.com/newcommonwealth/regionalmap.htm)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/vetobob/whittier15.bmp

I'm going to try to use Rise of Nations. I'll tell you how it goes.

The map is too small to have great detail. Unless there's a way to make the map bigger, I can't use RoN.

Yeah. I guessed ron would be impossible, as its mapmakers crap >=[

You can make RoN maps larger... I got one to about 300x larger than the biggest standard map.

Check the rules.xml for mapsizes

Just change one of them to about 250 (regular is 100) and viola. The biggest RoN playable map though is only 140, but if your machine can handle it, you can generate larger maps.

Not all map types work though, Atlantic Sea Power doesn't for example.

Perhaps I am being an obnoxious old school geograph nerd twit, but my reccomendation is to hand draw maps and scan 'em.

Yeah, if I had a scanner I'd handraw it and scan it.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/HogsweatNS/map1.gif

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v320/avalon_priestess/serafimasparklemistmap.jpg --- theres the current map of Serafima & Sparklemist