2D sketching software for mapping Created 12 years ago2012-10-31 06:01:23 UTC by Azin

Hi again.

I know I've been yapping about sketching rather than actually mapping, but I figure it has to be relevant to others too at some point, so here I go again.

Do you know any 2D sketching software that works well for sketching out overviews of maps?

A feature I miss in software like paint.net is a grid, preferably one like what you have in the 2D views of VHE. Other than that, drawing simple geometry would also make for an essential part of this.

Overviews are done within the game there is a tutorial about that.
As far as sketching, anything that has a drawing capability: photoshop, ms paint, paper and pen.
Unless you have problems remembering ideas for the map you got, plain paper is sufficient for sketches, i used to do it.
For software, personally i dont like the mouse interface to draw, so unless i had a "wacom" tablet (dont know the general term ) im using paper, it just feels right.

Let me correct myself then. I already know how to make an overview of a map, I was just trying to find a term that would specify that I'm walking about a view form 'straight above', rather than if I were talking about sketching out the setting of the map, like a scrn shot. I guess I could have just called it a plan?

The reason I'm asking for software is that I would like some straight lines with snap-to-grid functions that make for things being more precise. Other than that, the usual benefits of using software is that it's easily editable. I don't have to draw out the entire plan of my map if I want to try adding something to the design, but still keep what I have so far intact.

Also, I suck at drawing by hand.

Now that i think about it, i believe that there was a tool that gave you something similar to a hammer grid just to draw lines, but in a sense that defeats the purpose of just using hammer.
I'm not custom with pain.net and gimp, but there should be addons for a grid.

I think a program called AutoCAD allowed you to make plans for maps.

I prefer the hardware approach.Otherwise, photoshop has a grid which you can customise to suit your needs. Not sure about GIMP but I would expect that does too.

Paint.net has a "pixel grid" built in, but since it's a pixel-grid, each square has to equal one pixel apparently, so that's kinda useless. The grid plugins I've found for it is only an overlay thing; you can't snap to it.

AutoCAD seems like it might work, but it also looks like Google SketchUp, which is great for building simple, square models of buildings in 3D, but it really has some major annoyances that completely turn me off, the zoom function being one of them.

Thanks for the suggestions though. I guess I'll take a deeper look into the world of GIMP

Btw rufee, is it that thing called revolver?

Azin try Adobe Illustrator.

It has a great grid that can be modded. Each Grid line is divided into organized 8x8 squares.
I use it for all of mine planning. Plus you can easily add nice colors and shit. Check out one of mine most recent:Also Urby is right, hardware > software
Its always more creative that way, but you can do some cool stuff in illustrator once you planned it on paper. To make it more clean and production ready.

This is exactly what I had in mind.

And you're probably right about the creativeness. I already have a few rough sketches though, so this was he next step anyway.

Thank you for your help, this will really be useful.

Yeah i believe it is called revolver.

Inkscape

Its an open source vector program. It rivals Adobe Illustrator and its completely free.

It may rival it, but it crashes like crazy for apparently no reason.
I had bad experience with it, especially with complex vectors. But you get what you pay for.

It has never crashed for me. I find it easy to use, and I'm definitely not an artist. I've never used Illustrator.

I would just like to add something before this thread locks up.

Since my Adobe Illustrator trial inevitably expired, and I don't want to pay a serious sum of money for it by a monthly subscription, I looked elsewhere for similar software.

What I have found is that good that I have decided to let you and other potential readers know about this (despite the fact that I believe I'm being ostracized, for whatever reason.....)

The program is called CreativeDocs.net and it does everything I've wanted it to do so far:It is obviously free and has a bunch of options for customization. I do suggest you take 10 mins. to figure out how things work exactly, but it is pretty intuitive, and as I have said, it does everything I wanted it to do so far.

I never got that much into Illustrator, but it seem like this works even more intuitively and smoothly, so have fun with it if you do decide to try it out.

Hey thanks for the Inkscape link Rimrook, i'm downloding now =)

....it's okay though CT. I'm used to guys like you feeling threatened by a younger male when they're losing it. =)

Nothing beats the original medium though.

I can't even tell if you're being serious, but I guess that means you're not.

The program really is good though.

I would love to sketch out my plans on paper, and/or try that wacom thingie rufee mentioned, but i'm just hopeless/ugly at free sketching...

Stojkens: nice sketches btw, can you tutorialize us maybe?!

Trying inkscape right now but the install is taking some time =)

Edit
Whoah cool, no i can use VM on my sketch lines, ty again Rim! =PPP