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Help for map editing. Amateur.

PostPosted: March 10th, 2016, 6:16 am
by tallyho
Hi.
Anybody have a decent descpription for making a gameboard like "into the sewer" ?
How do i get a image/picture with square pathways on top of it ?
Wich resolution (dpi) regarding to size would be best ?
I searched the internet, its very confusing.

Into the sewer maps.

http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/tally ... t=3&page=1

Re: Help for map editing. Amateur.

PostPosted: March 10th, 2016, 12:46 pm
by StratosVX
The only way I know of is to pull the file into an image editor like Photoshop and add the lines yourself. I had done this a while back with the "Into the Sewer Maps" so that I could create HeroScribe maps for them and I found that the squares they have lightly drawn on the original maps aren't uniform in size. I didn't keep the files with the grids though as I was only using them as a reference for the work I was doing, otherwise I'd give them to you.

Re: Help for map editing. Amateur.

PostPosted: March 10th, 2016, 1:34 pm
by Baylor_OgreBane
300 DPI is pretty standard anything over that are for pictures of space ect. Most images for printing purposes are at this resolution.
If you are getting it pro printed then it will probably have to be in CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key) rather than RGB (Red, Blue, Green) In Photoshop this is in the Image drop down list, and then Mode.
Make the image, then create a new layer for the squares. To get the rulers up, go to the View drop down list and then Rulers.
You can draw straight lines by holding the shift key as you draw the line, this is fairly common in most image editors as a short key, also to increase the draw size of the brush you can use [ to go smaller and ] to go larger.
They are the basics of what I think you are asking, any other questions just ask or message me.

Re: Help for map editing. Amateur.

PostPosted: March 12th, 2016, 6:07 am
by tallyho
WThanks peoplel, had a new look at you tube and ended up with this made by using Gimp.

http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/tally ... t=3&page=1

This is just a test map. I wanted it to look Skavish, dirty and dark. Not to pleased With the grids (wich are in centimeters).
What do you think ?

Re: Help for map editing. Amateur.

PostPosted: March 12th, 2016, 7:14 am
by Patroclus
It looks great. The only problem about the premade maps is the cost for printing and that you will play it only one time. For me, I choose the old style ad&d type of maps. You just take a big piece of paper and a marker, then you design the map as you drawing. Nothing fancy but it’s very easy, cheap and if you want you can draw one map in every game.

Of course, I don’t put serious painting skills. For example, in the following image, this thing in the right-bottom corner is a bridge. You have to explain some things to your players but it’s not a problem.
Image

Re: Help for map editing. Amateur.

PostPosted: March 12th, 2016, 7:44 am
by Baylor_OgreBane
In gimp like photoshop there is a panel (usually to the left of the screen) where you will see your active and in-active layers (I should have just said layers!) If you look there is a button labeled FX at the bottom, This is where you can add bevels and drop shadows to give a bit more depth to the texture image you are using so it doesn't appear so flat. Make sure you have the right layer selected first.
If you want to add the same FX to another layer then left click the layer with the FX and select copy layer style in the drop down, go to the layer you want to add it to, left click and click add layer style from the drop down.

I am pretty sure if you left click on the ruler in the display you can change the measuring type from metric to imperial.

Krita is another very good/powerful free art program as opposed/in conjunction with gimp, for those that prefer the vector look.

Re: Help for map editing. Amateur.

PostPosted: March 13th, 2016, 8:08 am
by tallyho
Thanks People.
Nice old School, Patroclus. Great tips on shadow tool, Bailor Ogrebane.
About finished.

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h33 ... eddpvy.png

This is how i think it looks below "into the sewer" level. Where these squeeking infested creatures live and breed.
Any improvement suggestions ?

Re: Help for map editing. Amateur.

PostPosted: March 13th, 2016, 1:56 pm
by Patroclus
wow, that's a very interesting layout. Your players will be happy.

Re: Help for map editing. Amateur.

PostPosted: March 13th, 2016, 2:42 pm
by StratosVX
That looks REALLY good! I'd be happy to try to make a HeroScribe map for this, but if I click the zoom button, it doesn't find the file.

Re: Help for map editing. Amateur.

PostPosted: March 13th, 2016, 3:00 pm
by tallyho
Thanks folks, try this link. Hope it Works. If not, let me know.

http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/tally ... y.png.html