I've used Campaign Cartographer, which makes great looking maps, but is completely non-user friendly. There's a new site however that makes an enormous, full world map for you randomly, but I know some people like to make it themselves.
I have a couple videos showing step-by-step, "Fantasy Maps" and "Dungeon Master's Guidance 4". Neither are exactly the styles shown in this video, but are still definitely worthwhile. When making these videos, it's always a balance between keeping it generally interesting, and showing the step-by-step how-to process that only appeals to those who want the micro details (like myself).
It depends upon how big these islands are supposed to be. On riding horses, the characters can probably cover around 15 miles per day on normal ground or roads, and 10 or less miles per day in difficult terrain such as mountains, swamps, and thick forests.
My hand drawings are just outlines. A thick line for the coast, thin lines for the different regions. I scan that, which becomes a base layer, on top of which I create further layers. Eventually, the original, hand-drawn lines are removed.
No special brushes. I just use a paint brush to initially draw the shapes with a wacom tablet, and I use the clone stamp to speed things up when necessary.
I appreciate your compliments. Just keep learning and trying. I promise, most of my stuff has been trial-and-error'd into its current form. The world map, for example, I only recently found looked better without labels all over the place, yet with the subtle colors and texture. Best of luck!
Outstanding. As I mentioned, I have spent many an hour stressing over maps (angle of approach, level of detail, style). I've also had problems cramming too much detail or making things to sparse and uninspiring (which I consider even worse). In any case, I'm glad you got so much out of this video. Let me know how things turn out.
Esper, Do you use any special brushes, or other tools to help with the creation of your hills, mountains and so on? I could just see it simplifying things.
It would be interesting, considering that you use Photoshop to build your maps if you did a video showing how you put one together. Unless you already have, I'll search your catalogue.
Looking back on this video, is there anything you would amend? For instance, is their something you have learned that would be good to add to this video?
Esper, I really like this channel. I've watched a nice myriad of your videos by this point, and it's your maps I keep coming back to. Like you, I also prefer to put a lot of effort into making hand-drawn maps, and I'm always intrigued by the different styles that GMs possess. Your use of shadow and topography is the best I have seen. I would love to discuss more if you get the chance; our Facebook has some maps you might be interested in, including some that were part of the Tabletop RPG world record from last year (an 81sq. ft. dungeon that took a piece of my soul). Keep up the great work, and hope to hear from you. Adam Smith Head GM/Project Admin. Order of the Amber Die
Excellent video Esper. Lots of good info and tips, some of which I will use :) I really like how you break down the different maps. One thing I have found in the past is that I try to cram so much into a map instead of breaking down as you have explained. Thanks for sharing your insights on maps.
Esper, I've followed you for years and believe at one point I saw a world map for your main homebrew world. 1) is that something you have available for people to download anywhere? and 2) do you have a website or anything with your homebrew races and creations? Just curious as you do fantastic stuff and I'd be interested in looking at them if it's out there somewhere. Thanks and keep up the great work.
love your map videos. seeing a new esper video in my sub box is like wandering through a desert for days or weeks and then being handed a ice cold glass of water. keep up the awesome work
Thank you for posting this video. It has helped me a lot in developing maps and creating a rich atmosphere for myself along with my friends to enjoy. Thank you.
Thanks Esper! I learned a lot from that. I feel more inspired by seeing your Kingdom Maps. Makes me want to remake mine and touch them up a little. Also my world map compared to yours is rubbish. I had way too much detail clutter in mine. It looks all convoluted. I'm going to try your approach. Wish me luck!
Your videos are great and I make many notes from them to b a better DM. Getting back into d&d is great, and with the pointers from these types of videos I can make a great campaign. Thanks man.
The Kingdom maps are giving me a hell of a time. I always end up questioning river and lake placement. In the end I toss out a map I spent 2 or 3 hours working on.
***** Ah, yeah, that makes sense as most of yours do look hand drawn. Are there any basic things that you particularly do in order to have them scan well for editing and to get them to a stage where you can play around with various colors and treatments?
I've used Campaign Cartographer, which makes great looking maps, but is completely non-user friendly. There's a new site however that makes an enormous, full world map for you randomly, but I know some people like to make it themselves.
I have a couple videos showing step-by-step, "Fantasy Maps" and "Dungeon Master's Guidance 4". Neither are exactly the styles shown in this video, but are still definitely worthwhile. When making these videos, it's always a balance between keeping it generally interesting, and showing the step-by-step how-to process that only appeals to those who want the micro details (like myself).
It depends upon how big these islands are supposed to be. On riding horses, the characters can probably cover around 15 miles per day on normal ground or roads, and 10 or less miles per day in difficult terrain such as mountains, swamps, and thick forests.
How do you take your hand drawn maps and place them in Photoshop? Do you scan them in and then work on them from there?
Would you consider town/city maps to be an offshoot of the dungeon maps?
My hand drawings are just outlines. A thick line for the coast, thin lines for the different regions. I scan that, which becomes a base layer, on top of which I create further layers. Eventually, the original, hand-drawn lines are removed.
No special brushes. I just use a paint brush to initially draw the shapes with a wacom tablet, and I use the clone stamp to speed things up when necessary.
I appreciate your compliments. Just keep learning and trying. I promise, most of my stuff has been trial-and-error'd into its current form. The world map, for example, I only recently found looked better without labels all over the place, yet with the subtle colors and texture. Best of luck!
Outstanding. As I mentioned, I have spent many an hour stressing over maps (angle of approach, level of detail, style). I've also had problems cramming too much detail or making things to sparse and uninspiring (which I consider even worse). In any case, I'm glad you got so much out of this video. Let me know how things turn out.
Esper, Do you use any special brushes, or other tools to help with the creation of your hills, mountains and so on? I could just see it simplifying things.
Such a great resource. I come back to this video often :)
Hmm, about your world map, you said that a Giant had been slain with his arms outstretched?
I just noticed this: prntscr.com/7cthb9
It would be interesting, considering that you use Photoshop to build your maps if you did a video showing how you put one together. Unless you already have, I'll search your catalogue.
Looking back on this video, is there anything you would amend? For instance, is their something you have learned that would be good to add to this video?
This was honestly very helpful in making my maps. Thank you!
The maps are looking amazing, and the insight is always welcome. Now if you'll excuse me,
I have some maps to draw.
Great video full of great advise. Thank you esper and good to hear from you
Would you be willing to share full size images of your world?
Would you be willing to share full size images of your world?
area 10 looking like something else.
great video! thanks.
Esper, I really like this channel. I've watched a nice myriad of your videos by this point, and it's your maps I keep coming back to. Like you, I also prefer to put a lot of effort into making hand-drawn maps, and I'm always intrigued by the different styles that GMs possess. Your use of shadow and topography is the best I have seen. I would love to discuss more if you get the chance; our Facebook has some maps you might be interested in, including some that were part of the Tabletop RPG world record from last year (an 81sq. ft. dungeon that took a piece of my soul). Keep up the great work, and hope to hear from you.
Adam Smith
Head GM/Project Admin.
Order of the Amber Die
Excellent video Esper. Lots of good info and tips, some of which I will use :) I really like how you break down the different maps. One thing I have found in the past is that I try to cram so much into a map instead of breaking down as you have explained. Thanks for sharing your insights on maps.
Esper, I've followed you for years and believe at one point I saw a world map for your main homebrew world. 1) is that something you have available for people to download anywhere? and 2) do you have a website or anything with your homebrew races and creations? Just curious as you do fantastic stuff and I'd be interested in looking at them if it's out there somewhere. Thanks and keep up the great work.
love your map videos. seeing a new esper video in my sub box is like wandering through a desert for days or weeks and then being handed a ice cold glass of water. keep up the awesome work
Great video. I would use photoshop if I had more training but I do like the look of hand-drawn maps when they are finished.
Thank you for posting this video. It has helped me a lot in developing maps and creating a rich atmosphere for myself along with my friends to enjoy. Thank you.
Pretty long video, but it was told a in a very nice and calm manner. You haven't said too much, nor too little. Well done!
Thanks Esper! I learned a lot from that. I feel more inspired by seeing your Kingdom Maps. Makes me want to remake mine and touch them up a little. Also my world map compared to yours is rubbish. I had way too much detail clutter in mine. It looks all convoluted. I'm going to try your approach. Wish me luck!
Great video!
Your videos are great and I make many notes from them to b a better DM. Getting back into d&d is great, and with the pointers from these types of videos I can make a great campaign. Thanks man.
The Kingdom maps are giving me a hell of a time. I always end up questioning river and lake placement. In the end I toss out a map I spent 2 or 3 hours working on.
Absolutely fantastic video. I feel inspired now to do my own videos on map-making.
Hell yes! Thank you Esper. Awesome video. Great tips. Looking forward to more D&D themed videos.
I love this channel Esper. You might also like Rhykker's channel. He does a series on these kinds of story ideas like you do as well.
Thank you, Violet! I just checked out Rhykker's channel and left him a comment. I appreciate the recommendation.
As a general question, what software/process do you generally use for making maps like the world/region/kingdom maps you show in this video?
Stratplayer05 Most often, I draw by hand first. Then, I scan the drawing and color/treat it in photoshop.
***** Ah, yeah, that makes sense as most of yours do look hand drawn. Are there any basic things that you particularly do in order to have them scan well for editing and to get them to a stage where you can play around with various colors and treatments?
I scan at a high resolution and always make sure to clean up smudges and B/W levels first before coloring.
Great videi esper glad ur back to youtube your dnd vids are very help full
Very insightful. Love the updated map of Pallagos!
You really make some awesome videos, thanks Esper!