Just thought I'd share.

As a preference, I don't like maps done with mapping software, like campaign cartographer and such. Though I've recently been toying with HEXMAPPER, I haven't really adopted it yet. However, if the maps (no matter how they're made) do what they should in the first place, which is convey the visual information I need to "know", like showing what is where, or to track the groups progress and conduct the adventure with a minimum of head scratching, then one can say it's a good map.

As long as there is the necessary information to conduct the adventure, and even provide opportunities to add on to it, are maps necessarily bad or good because they were done one way or another? Just curious as to your opinions.

I "draw" my maps on computer, but I don't use mapping software.... Normally I just use Windows Paint. The maps below aren't really all that good looking, but I think that they do convey the information necessary for the adventure, and then some.

AREA MAP
http://www.freewebtown.com/the_portal/1.gif

TOWN MAP
http://www.freewebtown.com/the_portal/images/2.gif

Graveyard
http://www.freewebtown.com/the_portal/images/3.gif

Shrine
http://www.freewebtown.com/the_portal/images/4.gif

Keep
http://www.freewebtown.com/the_portal/images/5.gif

Illustrative Graphic 1 (close-up)
http://www.freewebtown.com/the_portal/images/6.gif

Illustrative Graphic 2 (zooming out)
http://www.freewebtown.com/the_portal/images/7.gif

Unfinished Area Map
http://www.freewebtown.com/the_portal/images/8.gif

I prefer maps that are "clean". I don't care what tool you use as long as it doesn't look like you drew the map during an earthquake. A few colors is nicer than black & white, but not so much that it's distracting. (I find the maps by "Darlene" of the World of Greyhawk to be the gold standard.)

Quite nice they are too. Pretty darn sure that that standard will remain beyond my reach... especially if I keep using MS Paint.


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You can do some really beautiful work for large-scale maps with something like Paintshop Pro or Photoshop (anything with good painting tools to move "terrain" about.) Move rivers about, etc. The trick is to not use too many colors, or to merge the layers before you're done. It's not quick, but it is pretty.

Yeah, I used Photoshop to do the cover illustration and Likho's head in Issue 3 of the Portal. The Mana Motes in Issue 2 were Photoshop as well, with the "murderous remainder" being done with MS Paint and MS Photo editor...

I like trying all sorts of different things to offset my lack of the Ability Creativity...

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They look really great! Good job.