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Software

What are some computer programs you use to make maps?
Which do you like best? Why?
Which don't you like so much? Why?

Any tips for new users?
Any questions for old hands?

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Permalink Reply by Jim Werbaneth on October 19, 2009 at 6:27am: I got really used to CorelDraw. I won't say it's the best, you don't get the subtlety that you get from the Adobe software, and in time I do intend to branch out. But it's what I've used to date.

Take a look at A Master Stroke (Game Design by Paul Rohrbaugh); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Salvatore Vasta on November 18, 2009 at 7:14am

I am using Zoner Draw. It's vector software similar to Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw, but it is much less expensive (only $50). It doesn't have nearly the same number of bells and whistles, but I feel it's more than enough. There are even free older versions available for download, but I bought the most recent version.

I did the following using it. It's two 22x34 maps next to each other.

Sal

Attachments:

S2GE Map 2009-10-27.jpg, 2.6 MB

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Permalink Reply by Tony on November 21, 2009 at 12:15am: Zoner Draw,
just downloaded to check it out, looks good especially if you can get a free version.
That map is great, is it AH 3rd Reich?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pelle Nilsson on January 13, 2010 at 4:53am: Also check out Inkscape. It's free, source-code included, and very nice to work with (plus actively developed with many good features planned for future releases; I haven't even had the time to explore all goodies they got into the last release recently).

Plus I made these Inkscape effects that you can use to make life as a boardgame designer easier:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/299033

In particular the hexgrid effect has been developed over a few years and optimized as far as possible for (war)game design, that is with vector objects generated to make it as easy as possible to modify the grid in ways that I find useful (and believe are useful) when making game maps (ie: each hexside is a separate object, different kinds of objects in different layers, each hex has a background polygon with invisible borders for quick editing). Other hexgrid generators I managed to find produced grids that looked ok, but was no fun to try to work with.

... but even if you don't like those I believe Inkscape is a good alternative (and spending a few hours to evaluate it won't hurt you too much).

Also see:
http://www.inkscape.org/doc/basic/tutorial-basic.html
http://www.inkscape.org/doc/advanced/tutorial-advanced.html
http://www.inkscape.org/doc/index.php

But of course I'm not a pro...; ▶ Reply to This