This is done by drawing the symbols and terrain in vector but have commands treat the objects as bitmaps as needed for various effects.īoth Inkscape and AutoRealm are free to use and download. However Campaign Cartographer and Fractal Mapper has done some interesting work in combining the advantages of vector drawing with the advantage of paint program. While powerful these program lack the powerful tools of the mainstream vector drawing program. There are specific mapping program like Profantasy Campaign Cartographer, NBOS' Fractal Mapper, and Autorealm.

For maps that are more artistic in presentation you can export images from any one of these programs into a paint program for final image processing. Many have the ability to manage sets of symbols. The advantage of vector drawing programs is their ability to incorporate fine details, infinite zoom, and ease of editing. All three are vector drawing program as opposed to paint programs like and paint shop pro. Inkscape, CorelDRAW, or Abode Illustrator. Part of what I try to maintain whilst using Photoshop is to make things as fluid as possible with regard to change, so I use a lot of non-destructive style techniques using adjustment layers and layer masks, I'm not sure if or PSP have all those features. Here's the kind of look and feel I'm able to achieve quickly in Photoshop.Īnd here's a map I'm making in a style that I really couldn't imagine doing in anything other than Photoshop.Īny of these styles should be possible in other programs like or PaintShopPro. I did persevere with Campaign Cartographer for many years, but found it hard to use and the maps always looked like every other CC map. Sometimes I'll use Autorealm to generate some fractal coastlines or rivers quickly as well. Modern style floor-plan maps I've started to make in Flash, it's just turned out to be the fastest method for me. Things like initial outlines of coasts and things I find best in Illustrator, but then move to Photoshop for the real polishing of the look and feel. I often use Illustrator in combination with Photoshop. I use Photoshop mainly, as do many professional cartographers.

Map making programs free