Lots of Mapping Programs out there

[Morfedel]

So, there are a LOT of mapping programs out there. I own one that I spent a rather decent amount of money on - Campaign Cartographer and its companion programs.

The problem with it is, while powerful, also rather technical and, as such, has a high learning curve in exchange for that power.

Here's the problem: I just don't have the patience for it. I want something relatively quick and easy. I DO need the ability to draw nonstandard maps; my players might be fighting on a cliff or in a forest, not just a dungeon. But with that in mind, I don't want to spend hours drawing a map trying to figure out how to use the tools when the fact is, I just need to get one that doesn't look totally crappy drawn and finished so I can import it into FGU and start creating the encounters.

Or maybe I should just try the in game map creator? I havent looked at it yet.

Anyway, any suggestions?

[Griogre]

The in game FGU one is fine. If you have an art package you can stamp down tiles (that include LOS).

I personally use Dungeondraft for simplicity and ease of use. There is a script that will do the LOS for FGU for it. It does have a random generator as well.

Edit: I generated a random cave map for this thread: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?67395-in-need-of-a-Mine-Cave-Map-with-LOS

[similarly]

I got Campaign Cartographer through humble bundle, and honestly, didn't like it.

I got DungeonDraft (and Wonderdraft) and LOVE them. It is SO easy to make maps quickly. I can also export to a vtt format, and there's a script/exe that will export it to JPGs with xml files that allow FGU to read the line of sight data (though it doesn't differentiate between doors and windows, so I have to redo the windows, but it DOES save time.

You can see some of my maps here:
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?64447-Similarly-s-Maps

[Morfedel]

The in game FGU one is fine. If you have an art package you can stamp down tiles (that include LOS).

I personally use Dungeondraft for simplicity and ease of use. There is a script that will do the LOS for FGU for it. It does have a random generator as well.

Edit: I generated a random cave map for this thread: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?67395-in-need-of-a-Mine-Cave-Map-with-LOS

Wait, so the FGU stamp one has automatic line of sight, and duneondraft can do so with a script? Thats great!

[Morfedel]

I got Campaign Cartographer through humble bundle, and honestly, didn't like it.

I got DungeonDraft (and Wonderdraft) and LOVE them. It is SO easy to make maps quickly. I can also export to a vtt format, and there's a script/exe that will export it to JPGs with xml files that allow FGU to read the line of sight data (though it doesn't differentiate between doors and windows, so I have to redo the windows, but it DOES save time.

You can see some of my maps here:
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?64447-Similarly-s-Maps

So I went to their website, and I see a lot of VTT options... except FGU?

[damned]

I have almost all the mapping tools out there!
Wonderdraft and Dungeondraft are definitely right up there for getting maps out quickly.
I still also like Dungeon Painter Studio.

[similarly]

So I went to their website, and I see a lot of VTT options... except FGU?

Yes. FGU cannot import the .vtt file, only image files. However, as I said, I export to .vtt, and then use the script from github to convert the .vtt to image files and xml files, then copy-paste both the image files and xml files into your campaign folder. Mine is [this is from memory, so is probably wrong, but it's in this direction] c://users/<name>/appdata/roaming/smiteworks/fantasy grounds/campaigns/<campaign name>/images
Anyway, I think that's it. That brings the LOS into fgu along with the maps.

[johnecc]

Hi Similarly, would that script be draft2fgu?

[Griogre]

I use the Windows .exe which is called draft2fgu.exe

https://www.reddit.com/r/dungeondraft/comments/hcxhhg/i_created_a_script_to_convert_dungeondraft_los/

[Trenloe]

A recent discussion on making maps for FGU that may be of interest can be found here: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?65668-Creating-your-own-maps

[similarly]

I use the Windows .exe which is called draft2fgu.exe

https://www.reddit.com/r/dungeondraft/comments/hcxhhg/i_created_a_script_to_convert_dungeondraft_los/

Yes, this is the one I use.

[Nylanfs]

CC at it's core was developed from a CAD program, which is why it feels very technical. :)

[Griogre]

Yes, it's vector base allows you to do a lot of neat things, but it's not like most paint programs. My biggest problem with CC is it feels like work, but I was a level designer for a few years.

[atomichammer]

Mostly use Dungeon Painter Studio, just don't have enough free time to learn anything else or work on my own assets. Just Buy assets or Google-Fu what you are looking for upload and place.

[Griogre]

I'd recommend Dungeondraft to you if you primarily use Dungeon Painter Studio because of time. It's faster and easier to use than Dungeon Painter Studio since walls are auto-generated when you "paint" the floor and - it will generate random maps if you are in a real hurry.