Mapping Utilities

[Tempus]

I am trying to find good software to create nice, realistic maps. I have looked into aps like Campaign Cartographer, but I feel that it falls short of the realism that we are looking for. We want to create A large map of our city that can be zoomed into for detailed sectionals. Any suggestions?

Jeremy

[Super Squirrel]

Wow! I use Campaign Cartographer because it DOES make realistic maps. I'm surprised that you feel that it doesn't. It was my understanding that the biggest draw back to CC2 was the price of getting it plus many of the add-ons. I've never heard of anything else out there that even comes close to it.

I wish you luck in trying to find it though.

[MisterBaldy]

Have you tried Dundjinni (http://www.dundjinni.com/)?

Although I haven't purchased it yet, I have seen maps created with it...and they are quite amazing!!! :thumbup:

[Teflon Billy]

Have you tried Dundjinni (http://www.dundjinni.com/)?

Although I haven't purchased it yet, I have seen maps created with it...and they are quite amazing!!! :thumbup:Problem with Dundjinni is that all maps created with the program are owned by the company that made Dundjinni. It's part of the licensing agreament to use it.

Although, this isn't a big problem for most gamers as not many of them plan on selling their maps as a product, I still think it would be best to not encourage such unscrupulous intellectual property practices.

TB

[Super Squirrel]

Problem with Dundjinni is that all maps created with the program are owned by the company that made Dundjinni. It's part of the licensing agreament to use it.

Although, this isn't a big problem for most gamers as not many of them plan on selling their maps as a product, I still think it would be best to not encourage such unscrupulous intellectual property practices.

TB
And that makes for a good reason to me to be happy with CC2. I plan on selling Map Packs once I get more proficient with making them.

[mudpyr8]

Problem with Dundjinni is that all maps created with the program are owned by the company that made Dundjinni. It's part of the licensing agreament to use it.
TB

This is not entirely true. The artwork included with Dundjinni is restricted but not maps specifically. If you create a map using your own artwork OR using just colors you can publish that all you want. There is also a "classic" map pack (for old D&D style map symbols ala Basic) that is also license free.

I use Dundjinni and I think it is a great program and makes wonderful maps. You can easily create your own artwork of textures and objects assembled from http://www.openclipart.org/ and http://textures.forrest.cz/, as well as other links http://dmoz.org/Computers/Software/Graphics/Textures/.

I also use OpenOffice for quick vector maps, although I am getting better at Inkscape and Gimp. These all support the texture files and clipart (Gimp and OO have galleries to browse them once added).

So, my rec is that you go with Dundjinni as it makes great maps. But if you are looking for free alternatives, there are options.

One other alternative, much more in line with Dundjinni, is MapX (http://www.realmcreator.com/olddl.php).