Good programs for map drawing

Shadowstar · #1 November 15th, 2007, 08:34 PM

I was looking around the forum for posts about programs people use to draw maps for Dom3, but couldn't really find much. I've experimented with Autorealm but it tends to get pretty difficult to use when working with high resolution maps. I'm thinking, we can use this thread to just list our favorite map drawing programs, so other people like me looking for a good way to make maps might not have to do so much searching.

Autorealm can be found here: http://www.autorealm.org/

vfb · #2 November 15th, 2007, 09:12 PM

I'm just beginning to make maps. For now, I'm using gimp, because it's free.

I found some tips here:

http://forum.cartographersguild.com/...ead.php?t=1142

Zylithan · #3 November 15th, 2007, 09:12 PM

We should really have a sticky FAQ on mapmaking. I think we've had mini discussions like this before, but they are hard to find with the search function.

I use map editors from other strategy games, Age of Wonders, for example. I put things together in GIMP, which is common.

zepath · #4 November 16th, 2007, 04:51 PM

I use Paint Shop Pro, in whatever version it currently exists, along with a variety of mapping utilities from ProFantasy. The Campaign Cartographer has a ton of very high quality art that can be manipulated and dropped onto your maps. It can also build the maps entire, but I've never learned how to actually do that in CC. Some mappers might also really enjoy Fractal Terrains, another ProFantasy piece.

PashaDawg · #5 November 16th, 2007, 06:53 PM

I used GIMP.

Unfortunately, my GIMP is not working right now. I upgraded to the latest Mac OSX (Leopard), and there is some glitch that requires an update to GIMP and/or X11. So, I wait.

I tried finding another program for Mac that is either free or not very expensive, and I did not have a lot of luck. The other programs just did not do all the stuff that GIMP will do.

I am sure the GIMP will work again in a few weeks.

Pasha

HoneyBadger · #6 November 17th, 2007, 12:23 AM

Imageforge is really nice, and free, and simple to use, and it worked on my 5-year-old laptop.

lch · #7 November 18th, 2007, 10:05 AM

I've been wondering, has anybody ever done maps with the Command and Conquer map editors? I think even those for C&C 1 could be used. Here's the map editor for Red Alert 2: ftp://ftp.westwood.com/pub/redalert2/fa2beta/