To edit, or to re-create, that is the question.

**Doc_Jones** · May 3rd, 2015, 22:45

So I'm in the process of converting my first pathfinder module to 5E. Stripping the text has been easy enough, converting some of the creatures/nps a little more difficult. Now I'm stuck with the maps. I am wanting to learn to put these maps together myself, which means either learning how to edit the scanned map images, or purchasing CC and learning to build them from scratch. I'm thinking that either method is going to require some serious time invenstment in learning how to put it all together, but I'm wondering what the time investment is once I know what I'm doing. I'm less worried about the cost of the software as I am with the general speed of learning curve and ongoing applicability. Thoughts/experiences?

**damned** · May 3rd, 2015, 23:16

Hola Doc_Jones - the main thing you want to do with images sourced from PDFs or the web is remove the GM only info! This is a little fiddly and does take time but you do get much better at it. Gimp and Paint.net are two low cost apps for ding this, and photoshop is available on a $10/month subscription. To create maps - the easiest app Ive found is https://pyromancers.com/dungeon-painter-online/ it still has a learning curve but its pretty easy. The thing to remember/learn with pyromancers is that every element is on its own layer. Here is a video where I make a very basic tower. I posted this one because creating curved walls/elements with a tile based tool requires a little imagination

towadrs the end you will see more generic stuff on creating an outdoor/forest scene.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpg_-fUrGnU

**Trenloe** · May 3rd, 2015, 23:26

I use Campaign Cartographer a lot. Take a look at some of Joe Sweeney's excellent mapping tutorial videos to get an idea of the basics and how quickly you can do "stuff": https://www.youtube.com/user/joesweeney88

As usual, there is a learning curve with CC3 - steep, but not as steep as Fantasy Grounds.

Once you get to know it, and set up some good effect templates, you can relatively quickly churn out great looking maps. I reckon between 2 and 4 hours to create a map, depending on the complexity. See some examples of maps I created in CC3 here: https://www.cartographersguild.com/album.php?u=23781 Note: I have *no* artistic talent!

**Doc_Jones** · May 5th, 2015, 20:36

Originally Posted by damned

Hola Doc_Jones - the main thing you want to do with images sourced from PDFs or the web is remove the GM only info! This is a little fiddly and does take time but you do get much better at it. Gimp and Paint.net are two low cost apps for ding this, and photoshop is available on a $10/month subscription. To create maps - the easiest app Ive found is https://pyromancers.com/dungeon-painter-online/ it still has a learning curve but its pretty easy. The thing to remember/learn with pyromancers is that every element is on its own layer. Here is a video where I make a very basic tower. I posted this one because creating curved walls/elements with a tile based tool requires a little imagination

towadrs the end you will see more generic stuff on creating an outdoor/forest scene.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpg_-fUrGnU

I've tried to watch this video twice now. Both times my computer has blue screened. I've turned off all my other programs thinking it might be something else causing it, but if it happens a third time I won't be able to chalk that up to coincidence lol.

**Doc_Jones** · May 5th, 2015, 20:52

Third try was successful! I will have to give that a shot. I'm fairly intuitive and have no problem doing a tutorial marathon. I even watched all of Dulux-Oz's FG series and I've only had FG for a week and a half. Loving it so far. Now if I could only make money converting modules I'd be set lol!

**damned** · May 6th, 2015, 05:33

Originally Posted by Doc_Jones

Third try was successful! I will have to give that a shot. I'm fairly intuitive and have no problem doing a tutorial marathon. I even watched all of Dulux-Oz's FG series and I've only had FG for a week and a half. Loving it so far. Now if I could only make money converting modules I'd be set lol!

You can - talk to DDavison. You wont make a LOT of money but enough to feed your RPG habit at the least.

**Doc_Jones** · May 9th, 2015, 04:09

Originally Posted by damned

You can - talk to DDavison. You wont make a LOT of money but enough to feed your RPG habit at the least.

Should I tell him you referred me to him or just say I heard it through the grapevine?

**damned** · May 9th, 2015, 05:22

Oh no - you should definitely tell him that I referred you - you are bound to get the royale treatment that way!
I think he will only be interested in how good a job you do

**Wolfheart** · May 18th, 2015, 12:24

Campaign Cartographer 3 is good, with additional content (City Designer, Dungeon Designer, annuals etc.) it's excellent. The recent CC3 Plus update makes the software more intuitive and easier to use than before, and faster as well. I love this program.

**Doc_Jones** · May 20th, 2015, 02:32

I recently discovered the clone tool in PS. Gonna play around with that a bit, because I'd much rather use the actual artwork from the modules than have to recreate it. I might still get CC3 anyway, for some custom stuff.

Thread: To edit, or to re-create, that is the question.

Thread Tools