I'd love a more in depth analysis of your favourite ones, or a comprehensive analysis after you've used them for a while :) Thanks for the great video!
Dragon Map Maker looks awesome! I think that workflow will be intuitive to anyone who has played The Sims, and it produces gorgeous results. Definitely gonna keep an eye on it.
Agreed. Very Sims-like -- and building is the best part of Sims by far. That's all I do with it. Actually playing Sims is pretty boring (to me). Think I'll check DMM out. Also very intrigued by Dungeon Scrawl since OSR black-and-white dungeon maps are pretty much the best.
Dragon reminds me of using DoomCad to design Doom levels back in the late 90s. You design the structure then assign a texture or bitmap to each surface. I think this is overall better because you can reassign a texture or style to an individual piece without having to replace it.
I had the same thoughts (perhaps from the same experience) as well. I'm shopping for a mapping tool and this might be the one. I'll have to see what they've changed since this video and maybe give it a go.
Once you get used to Talespire, it is super cool. The way that it is able to strip away blocks by layer when you zoom in, set up custscenes, and use lighting is truly brilliant. Also, mods are actually really easy to use with it as well.
the idear for that is great... but to be honest, i am always struggeling to blendout the correct layer, or to show the correct props... (I am the DM and we use to play face-to-face with one "presentation" screen... Talespire looks super cool but is not really useable for that)
@Taubrala i actually just did that last night, it worked great. I used the game's photo mode to display on a TV I laid on my table. Its more difficult than just a picture for sure, but in exchange you get things like animated torches, that painted miniature art style, and built in atmosphere tools.
I both love and hate talespire. Ive spent 40 plus hours trying to build the capital city of my world in it and am no where close to being done with even 10 percent of it also the height limit seems very low. my college of magic is supposed to be this massive onyx tower poking up into the clouds and instead its like 3 floors because the engine just wont let me go any higher. There is also supposed to be a massive underground sewer system sprawling through the whole city so trying to build that out then cover it up with other buildings is well a nightmare to say the least. It looks cools and has a lot of cool functionality but I could easily spend 10x the time to make the same simple map in any other map maker so its just not worth it in my opinion.
I like RPG Stories quite a bit (on Steam). It still has a way to go, but it's getting cooler and more in depth with every Update. Also the Discord is super friendly, helpful and fun!
I LOVE Dungeon Alchemist; but sorely miss the swath of assets I had for DungeonDraft. However, DA is constantly under further development expanding an already amazing asset/feature collection and allow for adding your own 3d assets. If he used Dungeon Alchemist though, he could make these simple maps in under 5 mins.
You're right. All of these look good for differing reasons. I might check some of them out later, but most likely Dungeon Scrawl. It seems to be quickest option, and for a novelist looking for a simple viusualization of a scene, to contain the least baggage.
I used Dungeondraft for my VTT games, I like it quite a lot, even with just the default assets. But I'll probably branch out to extra assets once I get beter at using it
PWS, thanks for the review. I have seen you review Fantasy Grounds for another video. I am surprised you didn't include its mapmaker in these videos as well, given the power and quickness inside even the free version of Fantasy Grounds.
Hey there! Love your vids! If i may i have a request: what about an easy, fast and cheap way to have your maps while live playing? I used to be an online master, but now I am starting to play live and i find this pretty difficult.
Would be nice to look at explicitly sci-fi and/or apocalyptic map makers (i.e. ones that can best make those style maps). Also perhaps dungeon level vs city level vs world level.
Realizing I’m probably a minute late here but…. would love to hear if you had any thoughts on these when used with low sight players. Been experimenting with high contrast maps, tokens, character sheets, and dice. Most are relying on manual tools.
Okay, Dungeon Scrawl is everything i have ever wanted. Just straight up drawing. No fancy crap, no complicated menus, no hyped-up graphics that never seem to fit, straight up theater of the mind stuff. Love it. Just made my sewer level for my Kids on Bikes game in about 2 minutes. Perfect. I can fill out the details with my DM brain.
Hello, your information is great and I am loving exploring making maps. You have mentioned in previous videos you have printed high level maps of the forgotten realms. Where are the getting the files? I’m looking at a forgotten realms map, as well as a couple old-school Raven loft maps
WOTC released the high res file for the sword coast a few years ago, but I don't think they released any others unfortunately. I got the file from the WOTC website
Dynamic dungeon is another one you could test. A lot of assets are behind the patreon wall. As a pivot, top 5 VTT with a 10 minute setup challenge (map load, layer effects, fog of war setup, etc.) would be intereting.
I really want to like Dungeon Alchemist but not having round buildings and the ability to rotate buildings really messes with me. I've been trying out Dungeondraft and I like it a lot BUT their export stuff for VTT's doesn't natively work with FGU or FVTT. You need 3rd party apps to do the conversion. I hear there is now a big delay in the release of the next version of DA which promised the features I needed. So I am going to stick with dungeondraft for now.
Once you dive into talespire, it has initiative tracker, built in music, and character sheets that allow you to roll dice in game. No need for other apps or pages as a player.
First let me admit I'm a boomer, then I'm just going to say which is not helpful, I don't know of any reliable way to display anything on a TV from any computer, because, well, random glitches and updates....
It's the end of 2024, and Dragon Map Maker is still in Early Access and still says “The plan is for a full release in 2023.” This means the dev hasn't updated their faq in probably over a year. Dragon Map Maker is a hard pass.
The videos are awesome, content and production. The only thing that bothers me is this habit of making the voice hoarser at the end of sentences. I'm going to have to wait for this trend to pass before I start consuming USA's media again.
If you play medieval fantasy then I think I'd have to agree! Although I really like the look of the maps from dragon map marker, and they print really nicely
@@powerwordspill Great Points. I keep forgetting about our modern/sc-fi players/gamers. The irony is, i'm even switching from many decades of GM'n fantasy to modern/sc-fi. 404 brain not found. 😂
I used dungeon alchemist to run a mini campaign and felt super restrained, I’ve switched to using inkarnate and much prefer it. I’m sure it’s subjective, but I wouldn’t recommend DA to anyone
Dungeon Alchemist is one of those things that has a great deal of potential but hasn't had it fleshed out fully It lacks robustness, and if you're not making fairly standard DnD fantasy areas for which there's a hundred maps of already, you'll be lacking
Why dont you try to build the same type of setting for each different program? That way you can show people the real difference between them. Decent vid but kind useless...
😂
I did that with Conan Exiles. :)
I'd love a more in depth analysis of your favourite ones, or a comprehensive analysis after you've used them for a while :) Thanks for the great video!
Dragon Map Maker looks awesome! I think that workflow will be intuitive to anyone who has played The Sims, and it produces gorgeous results. Definitely gonna keep an eye on it.
It definitely does look like the mapmaking version of the Sims, I love it
Agreed. Very Sims-like -- and building is the best part of Sims by far. That's all I do with it. Actually playing Sims is pretty boring (to me). Think I'll check DMM out. Also very intrigued by Dungeon Scrawl since OSR black-and-white dungeon maps are pretty much the best.
YO you were the one who introduced me to improved initiative! Congrats on getting sponsored by them.
Thank you so much for giving Arkenforge a go! The quality of your videos is absolutely stunning!
Dragon reminds me of using DoomCad to design Doom levels back in the late 90s. You design the structure then assign a texture or bitmap to each surface. I think this is overall better because you can reassign a texture or style to an individual piece without having to replace it.
I had the same thoughts (perhaps from the same experience) as well. I'm shopping for a mapping tool and this might be the one. I'll have to see what they've changed since this video and maybe give it a go.
I always love to find out about more builders to try and keep an eye on. Hadn't heard of most of these so thanks for sharing and making this video.
Yes please make more videos. This was so helpful for me
Great series. TY for sharing!
Once you get used to Talespire, it is super cool. The way that it is able to strip away blocks by layer when you zoom in, set up custscenes, and use lighting is truly brilliant. Also, mods are actually really easy to use with it as well.
the idear for that is great... but to be honest, i am always struggeling to blendout the correct layer, or to show the correct props... (I am the DM and we use to play face-to-face with one "presentation" screen... Talespire looks super cool but is not really useable for that)
@Taubrala i actually just did that last night, it worked great. I used the game's photo mode to display on a TV I laid on my table. Its more difficult than just a picture for sure, but in exchange you get things like animated torches, that painted miniature art style, and built in atmosphere tools.
@@rane8432 thx, then i will try it again. Its a longer time ago, that i tried it.
@Taubrala on my TV I was able to find a zoom level that made the tiles exactly 1 inch, and I just stuck with that.
I both love and hate talespire. Ive spent 40 plus hours trying to build the capital city of my world in it and am no where close to being done with even 10 percent of it also the height limit seems very low. my college of magic is supposed to be this massive onyx tower poking up into the clouds and instead its like 3 floors because the engine just wont let me go any higher. There is also supposed to be a massive underground sewer system sprawling through the whole city so trying to build that out then cover it up with other buildings is well a nightmare to say the least. It looks cools and has a lot of cool functionality but I could easily spend 10x the time to make the same simple map in any other map maker so its just not worth it in my opinion.
I don't know where you came from in my feed but thanks for this. simple, great videos. You sir, have my subscription.
I like RPG Stories quite a bit (on Steam). It still has a way to go, but it's getting cooler and more in depth with every Update. Also the Discord is super friendly, helpful and fun!
The Dragon map maker assets look beautiful
Dungeon Alchemist and DungeonDraft are my go to apps for map making
I LOVE Dungeon Alchemist; but sorely miss the swath of assets I had for DungeonDraft. However, DA is constantly under further development expanding an already amazing asset/feature collection and allow for adding your own 3d assets.
If he used Dungeon Alchemist though, he could make these simple maps in under 5 mins.
Yep, these are the exact two tools I use. Pretty awesome :)
You're right. All of these look good for differing reasons. I might check some of them out later, but most likely Dungeon Scrawl. It seems to be quickest option, and for a novelist looking for a simple viusualization of a scene, to contain the least baggage.
I used Dungeondraft for my VTT games, I like it quite a lot, even with just the default assets. But I'll probably branch out to extra assets once I get beter at using it
The fact that Dragon Map Maker has a roofing tool makes me excited to try it as a city map builder.
Great overview of these tools. I will be checking some out. Keep up the great work.
At 1:15 into the video you show a clip of a whole city map in 3d. What program was that!!??
At a glance, that looks like Chronos Builder.
PWS, thanks for the review. I have seen you review Fantasy Grounds for another video. I am surprised you didn't include its mapmaker in these videos as well, given the power and quickness inside even the free version of Fantasy Grounds.
We are getting closer to the randomly generated DnD game I always dreamed of.
Did not see if you did a VTT compare..love a video on that!!!
Thank you!!! Great video
Terrific mustache!
I appreciate this video.
20:25 That is how the video game _The Sims_ works. You draw the walls, then texture them.
Hey there! Love your vids! If i may i have a request: what about an easy, fast and cheap way to have your maps while live playing? I used to be an online master, but now I am starting to play live and i find this pretty difficult.
Dragon Map Maker reminds me of the building system from The Sims.
Would be nice to look at explicitly sci-fi and/or apocalyptic map makers (i.e. ones that can best make those style maps). Also perhaps dungeon level vs city level vs world level.
Thank you for this Work 🎉
I'd like to add that for Talespire as a GM You MUST buy seats for players so it is additional cost
Subscribed for the content, sticking around for the moustache 👌
Really wish hex map tools would catch up with battle maps, got any recommendations? (Other than worldographer)
I wish dungeon alchemist had options of shaders for changing the style of those maps a bit - especially to give it an illustration feel
What is the map maker that's displayed during the intro at 1:17?
Sick mustache dude
I appreciate you too
Realizing I’m probably a minute late here but…. would love to hear if you had any thoughts on these when used with low sight players. Been experimenting with high contrast maps, tokens, character sheets, and dice. Most are relying on manual tools.
Okay, Dungeon Scrawl is everything i have ever wanted. Just straight up drawing. No fancy crap, no complicated menus, no hyped-up graphics that never seem to fit, straight up theater of the mind stuff. Love it. Just made my sewer level for my Kids on Bikes game in about 2 minutes. Perfect. I can fill out the details with my DM brain.
Hello, your information is great and I am loving exploring making maps. You have mentioned in previous videos you have printed high level maps of the forgotten realms. Where are the getting the files? I’m looking at a forgotten realms map, as well as a couple old-school Raven loft maps
WOTC released the high res file for the sword coast a few years ago, but I don't think they released any others unfortunately. I got the file from the WOTC website
Talespire is so good I just wish I could convince my players to use it over Roll20 :(
seems a baziion times better. I just bought it
I subbed based on your mustache alone. Don’t let it down. Hahah JK great video!
Canvas of Kings is another you should check out!
what about Dungeon Fog and Dungeon Alchemist?
They were in part one of my maps video!
We use Talespire and really like it!
which map maker are printable for those of us that dont play online or on screan
just from listening how dragon map maker works make me think of the sims :D
Wish after finalizing the map you could overlay hex-grid over the map, as hex is way better for movement IMHO.
I tend towards Inkarnate, Dungeon Alchemist, and Wonderdraft/Dungeondraft...
I don't need any map-making software. When making a map, I get out my dungeon craft terrain and arknight minis and make what I want.
Dynamic dungeon is another one you could test. A lot of assets are behind the patreon wall. As a pivot, top 5 VTT with a 10 minute setup challenge (map load, layer effects, fog of war setup, etc.) would be intereting.
That's on my to do list for sure! There's a lot out there so I think it'll be a multi part thing
❤️
Are the maps designed with these apps copyrightable? I'd like to make some maps for my fantasy book.
I really want to like Dungeon Alchemist but not having round buildings and the ability to rotate buildings really messes with me. I've been trying out Dungeondraft and I like it a lot BUT their export stuff for VTT's doesn't natively work with FGU or FVTT. You need 3rd party apps to do the conversion. I hear there is now a big delay in the release of the next version of DA which promised the features I needed. So I am going to stick with dungeondraft for now.
DUNGEON ALCHEMIST on steam, easy easy Map making
I keep thinking this is Patrick from Funhaus.
Once you dive into talespire, it has initiative tracker, built in music, and character sheets that allow you to roll dice in game. No need for other apps or pages as a player.
What about Dungeon Alchemist?
thats on his first video
You can try "Dungeon Alchemist" too.
That was covered in his "Part 1" video, which he references in this vid as that was one of his top 2 favorites (the other being Dungeon Draft).
Does anyone know if there’s an idiot-proof way to display Tale Spire maps on a television?
First let me admit I'm a boomer, then I'm just going to say which is not helpful, I don't know of any reliable way to display anything on a TV from any computer, because, well, random glitches and updates....
I mostly use dungeon alchemist.
I've gotten my eye on a 3d software called Crocotile3d and I'm saddened that it is only a modeling tool and not a map VTT. Please help!
It's the end of 2024, and Dragon Map Maker is still in Early Access and still says “The plan is for a full release in 2023.” This means the dev hasn't updated their faq in probably over a year. Dragon Map Maker is a hard pass.
Why do people always put cactuses in deserts?
Most deserts in the world don't have any. It is only a thing in parts of America.
The videos are awesome, content and production.
The only thing that bothers me is this habit of making the voice hoarser at the end of sentences.
I'm going to have to wait for this trend to pass before I start consuming USA's media again.
Dungeon Alchemist imo is better than all of these.
If you play medieval fantasy then I think I'd have to agree! Although I really like the look of the maps from dragon map marker, and they print really nicely
@@powerwordspill Great Points. I keep forgetting about our modern/sc-fi players/gamers. The irony is, i'm even switching from many decades of GM'n fantasy to modern/sc-fi. 404 brain not found. 😂
He talked about that tool in another video.
I used dungeon alchemist to run a mini campaign and felt super restrained, I’ve switched to using inkarnate and much prefer it. I’m sure it’s subjective, but I wouldn’t recommend DA to anyone
Dungeon Alchemist is one of those things that has a great deal of potential but hasn't had it fleshed out fully
It lacks robustness, and if you're not making fairly standard DnD fantasy areas for which there's a hundred maps of already, you'll be lacking
Stop using notification sounds.... It does not add anything positiv to the video
Why dont you try to build the same type of setting for each different program? That way you can show people the real difference between them. Decent vid but kind useless...