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Post by talmor on Mar 13, 2008 10:47:37 GMT -5
So, one of the things I like to do when I'm running a dungeon is to have pre-made combat maps ready for when my players enter a room. So, rather than spending time describing the room, and then correcting the players when my description is inevitably misunderstood, or having to draw it out on the big wet erase combat map-thingy, I just throw down a piece of paper or two with the room already on it. However, it is rather a pain to do this by hand for each room in the dungeon. I was wondering...is there a real simple, easy program that I can use to draw these out in roughly 1" squares?
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Post by Scott on Mar 13, 2008 10:52:18 GMT -5
Probably is, but I don't use one.
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Post by grodog on Mar 13, 2008 21:44:54 GMT -5
I'm also a mapping-program luddite: I like graph paper, colored pencils, and such far too much to want to muck around with programs
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Post by talmor on Mar 14, 2008 9:27:50 GMT -5
Fair enough. I just can't draw a straight line to save my life!
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ghul
Enchanter
Posts: 272
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Post by ghul on Mar 14, 2008 13:40:22 GMT -5
I'm also a mapping-program luddite: I like graph paper, colored pencils, and such far too much to want to muck around with programs Alas, I am much the same. I do everything on graph paper, my favorite stuff found at dickblick.com. I highly recommend these guys for massive sheets of graph paper to map your mega-dungeons, folks.
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GT
Wizard
Duke of Indiana, Knight Commander
Posts: 2,032
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Post by GT on Mar 14, 2008 17:42:16 GMT -5
I, too, am an old "school" fart (and please tell me that I don't have to debate what "old school" is for the umpteenth time for saying that! ;D )
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Post by grodog on Mar 16, 2008 13:21:49 GMT -5
Alas, I am much the same. I do everything on graph paper, my favorite stuff found at dickblick.com. I highly recommend these guys for massive sheets of graph paper to map your mega-dungeons, folks. Interesting: which papers do you use, Jeff?
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Post by GRWelsh on Mar 16, 2008 16:31:16 GMT -5
I'm also a mapping-program luddite: I like graph paper, colored pencils, and such far too much to want to muck around with programs Alas, I am much the same. I do everything on graph paper, my favorite stuff found at dickblick.com. I highly recommend these guys for massive sheets of graph paper to map your mega-dungeons, folks. Ah, an artiste! There's some great stuff at Dick Blick, but also expensive. Like Allan, I also like good old graph paper and colored pencils. In the old days, we used to 'acquire' reams of graph paper from high school... We'd use it for D&D mapping. I made huge, taped-together maps, such as for continents, megadungeons, maps made for miniatures layouts, etc. Lots of free time and geeky gamer-ambition. If only that had been savvy business ambition instead....
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Post by GRWelsh on Mar 16, 2008 16:50:53 GMT -5
So, one of the things I like to do when I'm running a dungeon is to have pre-made combat maps ready for when my players enter a room. So, rather than spending time describing the room, and then correcting the players when my description is inevitably misunderstood, or having to draw it out on the big wet erase combat map-thingy, I just throw down a piece of paper or two with the room already on it. However, it is rather a pain to do this by hand for each room in the dungeon. I was wondering...is there a real simple, easy program that I can use to draw these out in roughly 1" squares? A friend of mine that I've been gaming with for 25 years uses these plastic walls that look like legos, sort of (before we had miniatures, way back when, we used to actually use legos). I forget where he got them, but they are great for just loosely setting up the parameters for rooms and hallways, around miniatures. A lot of times, we just grab whatever is around... dice, a ruler, books, string etc. to build the borders of an area. I've been buying Dwarven Forge lately. It's top-notch stuff, but very expensive. And it's not as versatile as I'd hoped. Surprisingly, there are a lot of basic dungeon rooms and hall setups you can not make with it. But it's gorgeous stuff, and I love owning it. I'm a fan of the artistry and work that that goes into it -- but don't recommend it for pure functionality. There are some plastic sets out out there, such as Gothic ruins and walls (I think mainly for WarHammer 40K, but look perfect for D&D also). I am really hoping this is the beginning of many plastic sets and props, that are cheaper than Dwarven Forge. WotC has been putting out a lot of ready made color fold-out maps and floor plans -- they're nice.
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Post by geneweigel on Mar 16, 2008 19:19:25 GMT -5
I use the the blood of neophyte gamers for my mapping efforts... Seriously, I create it in my mind then go to pencil and paper ususally without the grid. During game sessions I use grids.
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Post by GRWelsh on Mar 16, 2008 20:08:59 GMT -5
Have you been drawing anything lately, Gene?
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Post by geneweigel on Mar 16, 2008 22:20:52 GMT -5
Yes, I just did an inked bar scene however I was loathe to share it on the net because I was planning on using it later for an illustration. I did think of sending you a scanned copy to see what you thought, Would that be alright?
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Post by geneweigel on Mar 16, 2008 22:22:45 GMT -5
And there is a demon lord planar battle that I would like to see your opinion on as well if isn't too much trouble.
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Post by geneweigel on Mar 16, 2008 22:25:22 GMT -5
In reagrds to the Planar illos they're done but i need to do the illos for the mundane monsters to round out the bestiary then paint a cover.
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GT
Wizard
Duke of Indiana, Knight Commander
Posts: 2,032
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Post by GT on Mar 16, 2008 23:39:03 GMT -5
"Have you been drawing anything lately, Gene? " You mean besides the blood of neophyte gamers... ;D
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Post by geneweigel on Mar 17, 2008 9:48:58 GMT -5
Actually, my 10 year old nephew survived a foray into B2's goblin caves and killed the chief with an assist from a man at arms. Although i have to admit i didn't use the ogre or the hobgoblins by chance. What a softy!
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Post by GRWelsh on Mar 17, 2008 20:06:40 GMT -5
Yes, if you want to send me some of your drawings I'm always interested in looking at them. I think you have some real talent.
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Post by Scott on Mar 17, 2008 20:16:29 GMT -5
Gene, I remember a picture of Greyhawk you did a long time ago, it was at night and the castle was in the background. Do you still have that?
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Post by geneweigel on Mar 17, 2008 20:57:34 GMT -5
Oh yeah that was drawn with an old version of Photoshop if I recall correctly because it had that "lens flare" on it. I just found it.
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Post by Scott on Mar 17, 2008 21:03:49 GMT -5
I always liked that one.
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