Map Help (removing pre-set grids in an image)

[Gwydion]

Hey, all. I know there are many threads on making maps. I've reviewed many of them. I'm working on some conversions and some of the maps I have from the author have preset grids that are pretty thick and are embedded in the image. Other than the normal tricks of cloning (which I've used on many maps, but this one is particularly challenging), are their any tips using GIMP on how I can remove an imbedded grid and blend the "blank space" created when the grid is removed with the rest of the image? Just struggling with a couple maps in particular. Any advice is much appreciated!

[Zacchaeus]

I've never found a way to remove an embedded grid without making a mess of the map. The best you can do I fear is to export the map in such a way so as to fit an FG grid. Or, do what I do and use the grid alignment tool (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?19813-Map-Align-Utility-to-scale-and-align-map-to-grid) to resize the map to fit.

[Gwydion]

I've never found a way to remove an embedded grid without making a mess of the map. The best you can do I fear is to export the map in such a way so as to fit an FG grid. Or, do what I do and use the grid alignment tool (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?19813-Map-Align-Utility-to-scale-and-align-map-to-grid) to resize the map to fit.

Yeah the other issue is the grid is set and about a 45 degree angle so there is no way for me to try and match up the grid with an FG grid that I can think of! I'll try the clone route and see what I can do. Thanks, Zacchaeus.

[Andraax]

Yeah the other issue is the grid is set and about a 45 degree angle so there is no way for me to try and match up the grid with an FG grid that I can think of! I'll try the clone route and see what I can do. Thanks, Zacchaeus.

What I have done in the past in GIMP is to select a one pixel (or two or three, however wide the grid actually is) box right next to the line, copy, then paste it over the line. Continue with each line (you can just drag the selection box to the next line so you don't have to constantly create a new selection box). Time consuming, but it looks pretty good. For one with lines at a weird angle, first rotate it so the lines are verticle / horizontal (you can use guide lines to help with this), then "fit canvas to layers", then do the copy / paste thing, then rotate it back (doing another "fit canvas") when you're done.

[Gwydion]

Thanks, Andraax. Really appreciate it. I found a video on youtube about using heal selection for removing an image. I just tried it for the map I am working on and it worked pretty darn well.

[Gwydion]

Hey, all. So I stumbled across a video where someone was removing an image (person) from an image using an plug-in for GIMP called Heal Selection. For the map I was working on which had a very thick, embedded gridline, this worked very well. Time consuming, but I really liked it. Andraax, I think it is pretty similar to what you are doing, but it might be a little easier? Basically you highlight what you want to change (in my case a long portion of the gridline) and then you select filter, heal selection and (after you configure how you want it to "heal") once you do that it removes the selection and "heal" the portion you deleted by blending it with the surrounding area. You can choose options like how many pixels around the area to use to blend and/or if you want to blend using the entire area around it, top only, etc.

If anyone is interested in learning more, I'll try and do a video when I have a chance.

[LordEntrails]

...
If anyone is interested in learning more, I'll try and do a video when I have a chance.
I don't have any need atm, but it would always be good info to have, even just links to the existing video and the GIMP plug-in :)

[Gwydion]

I don't have any need atm, but it would always be good info to have, even just links to the existing video and the GIMP plug-in :)

Here is a link to the youtube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTU5n6VjiDg

Here is a link to the GIMP plugin registry. There is a linux and windows download. It is called "Resynthesizer" as there are other plugins within the download but all I used was the Heal Selection:

https://registry.gimp.org/node/27986

Although I had absolutely no issues with the download, I always recommend running a virus scan first on the file anyway! Hope this helps some of you.

[Ardem]

An invisible grid for FG would be great. This way you can use maps that you cannot get rid of the grid and have the ranges work without having slightly off grid settings. Not sure if the grid is inbuilt like dice, but the grid in my opinion always needed work. Either to make the grid lines thicker, or a different colour, or invisible.