Original D&D Discussion - Mapping Software

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Original D&D Discussion :: General :: General Board :: Mapping Software

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Topic: Mapping Software (Read 346 times)

wulfgar
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Mapping Software
« Thread Started on Feb 17, 2011, 8:13am »

Hello, long time no see! (looking at my profile, my recent post was December of 2008, which was probably the last time I was around)

Back in that time span I also had found a really neat FREE hex mapping program for outdoor maps. I know it was discussed on here but I can't find the thread. So anyone have any suggestions? I run a Mac. I don't need anything super fancy, I just want to do some maps for documenting games of Source of the Nile (which I just got into- and it ROCKS by the way)

Glad to see this place is still going strong.

« Last Edit: Feb 17, 2011, 8:13am by wulfgar »

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18 Spears (Gene Lake)
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Re: Mapping Software
« Reply #1 on Feb 17, 2011, 9:04am »

There are three I've heard of but I can only think of the names of two ATM.

Hexographer: the free version of which produces some good maps and with a reasonable registration fee if you really like the software. http://inkwellideas.com/roleplaying_tools/hexographer/

AutoRealm: an open source(and thus: free), fully featured mapping editor with a lot of options for mapping and scale; but a somewhat steeper learning curve than hexographer. http://autorealm.sourceforge.net/

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Koren n'Rhys
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Re: Mapping Software
« Reply #2 on Feb 17, 2011, 11:31am »

Hexographer is the way to go. The free version is an online java-based app that should do everything you need. It is very full-featured. You can save maps on your local machine, then re-open them again to edit or update.

The paid version has some additional features, such as being able to load alternate symbol libraries, but nothing that is critical.

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I've got a project. Or two. Gamer ADD, you know?

Lord Kilgore
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Re: Mapping Software
« Reply #3 on Feb 17, 2011, 4:46pm »

I will second (third?) the recommendation of Hexographer.

I bought the license, but I used the freebie version for quite a while.

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talysman
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Re: Mapping Software
« Reply #4 on Feb 17, 2011, 10:00pm »

I use AutoREALM myself, but I don't know that it's been ported to Mac or UNIX, although it could be.

Edit: forgot to say that actually I've switched from AutoREALM to Inkscape for dungeon mapping. For outdoor mapping, I might still use AutoREALM, but there's actually a plug-in for the GIMP that creates hex overlays. I seem to recall a tutorial or two on how to use the GIMP for wilderness maps.

« Last Edit: Feb 17, 2011, 10:03pm by talysman »

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18 Spears (Gene Lake)
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Re: Mapping Software
« Reply #5 on Feb 17, 2011, 10:08pm »

I've used both AutoRealm and Hexographer. I like them both for different reasons but I tend to gravitate toward AutoRealm for interior maps and Hexographer for outdoor maps.

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Koren n'Rhys
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Re: Mapping Software
« Reply #6 on Feb 17, 2011, 10:42pm »

I haven't really gotten into doing interior maps digitally yet, but another option there is Dungeonographer, also at Inkwell Ideas. Like Hexographer, it has free and paid versions. I haven't usedit yet, myself. Just putting it out there.

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I've got a project. Or two. Gamer ADD, you know?

makofan
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Re: Mapping Software
« Reply #7 on Feb 18, 2011, 4:58pm »

Hey wulfgar

Emilio is still kicking around my OD&D game if you ever want to break him out again

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