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Map-Making Software for RPG Campaigns?

Posted by Zonk on from the five-foot-adjust dept.

mandrake*rpgdx writes "I'm looking into downloading/purchasing some map making software for my Table Top RPG group. I've heard about the free (GPL'd) AutoRealms and wondered if anyone with experience can compare it to commercial products like Campaign Cartographer, and if there is any Linux based map-maker I can grab?" The one I've been most impressed with, and might pick up at Gen Con this year, is Dundjinni. Anyone else have any software favorites?

6 of 57 comments (clear)

  1. Yeah but Dundjinni can't zoom into maps by mandrake*rpgdx · · Score: 4, Informative

    or zoom out, or let you just print sections of maps. Nor does it let you build electronic atlas's for your games. And the extention packs are pitiful.

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  2. Game Table by biryokumaru · · Score: 5, Informative
    Casey and Andy author Andy Weir has put together "gametable"

    http://www.galactanet.com/gametable.html

    "Gametable is a remote RPG host/client app that allows use of a D&D style battle map, die rollers, etc online."

    Not exactly what you're looking for, but in the ballpark of nifty RPG related software.

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  3. FractalMapper by SirBruce · · Score: 4, Informative
    I was given a version of Fractal Mapper a couple of years ago, but I found it difficult to use. It seems to be very powerful, though. The new versions might be more user-friendly.

    Bruce

  4. CC if you want REAL maps. by pythorlh · · Score: 5, Informative
    Campaign Cartographer is great if you want real maps. It's a CAD program, which means 2 things. 1, It's hell to learn if you don't already know CAD. 2. It's every bit as useful as you want it to be. You can map a continent, zoom in and map a county, zoom in and map a barony. Everything fits across multiple levels.

    The majority of the other "map" making software out there is really drawing software. Dunjinni fits into that category. You can draw pictures, but they are just that, and not functional as real maps. They may be prettier, and easier to use if you have more experience with drawing programs.

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  5. Re:Other problem with Fractal Mapper- by damiangerous · · Score: 4, Informative

    Perhaps you should read the Fractal Mapper FAQ. You can publish any maps you created under whatever terms you like, so long as they don't contain any Fractal Mapper map symbols (because the map symbols are art that they have created and own). They do not "legally own" any maps you create under any circumstances, even if you include their map symbols, copyright law doesn't work like that. If you create maps with Fractal Mapper distributed map symbols you have created a derivative work based on their work. You cannot distribute it, but they certainly can't distribute it either (nor do they own it). If you use Fractal Mapper as a tool, and do not include any of their pre-made art then they have no more claim on your maps than Adobe would have claim to an image you created in Photoshop.

  6. Campaign Cartographer is probably safest choice by okoskimi · · Score: 4, Informative

    Like someone already said, most of the other programs are bitmap-based, wherease CC is a real CAD program and thus vector-based. The difference is that there is very little you cannot do with CC (aside from the primary RPG use, I have used it e.g. to draw floorplans for selling an apartment, and plan to use it for garden design). Also, CC is professionally produced software - the UI might not be completely "Windows Standard", but it does work logically and provides all the functionality you need (I have had some bad experiences in this regard with other software where UI design has been less competent).

    The tradeoff is the steeper learning curve, though the manuals are quite OK. The available extensions cover most if not all RPG illustration needs, so you can expand the software as your needs grow. A host of free content (maps and symbols) is available from the Profantasy website.

    I guess it mainly depends on the quality you want to get and the time and money you are willing to invest. If all you want is to sit down and quickly create some relatively simple maps, then you are better off with a simpler and cheaper program (or pen and paper...). If, on the other hand, you want to have the ability to create beautiful and detailed maps and are willing to spend some time on it, then it is worthwhile to invest your money and time in CC. It is worth repeating that both investments are required - frequently people who have the money don't have the time, and vice versa :-(. If you e.g. wanted to create maps for illustrating a fantasy novel, CC would really be your only sensible alternative.

    By the way, if money and time is no object (I wish...), look into the Vue Esprit + Poser combination for creating illustrations. You can get some pretty decent results without any drawing ability, but buying both the software and the content will cost you an arm and a leg, not to mention a significant chunk of your time.

    Disclaimer: I own CC and most of its extensions. I have not tried all possible pieces of mapping software that exist so there might be something better out there but I seriously doubt it. I am not in any way affiliated with Profantasy, e-on software or Curious Labs.