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  1. #1

    Lots of Mapping Programs out there

    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?

  2. #2

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    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/forum...e-Map-with-LOS
    Last edited by Griogre; April 8th, 2021 at 02:22.

  3. #3
    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/forum...milarly-s-Maps

  4. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by Griogre View Post
    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/forum...e-Map-with-LOS
    Wait, so the FGU stamp one has automatic line of sight, and duneondraft can do so with a script? Thats great!

  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by similarly View Post
    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/forum...milarly-s-Maps
    So I went to their website, and I see a lot of VTT options... except FGU?

  6. #6
    damned's Avatar
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    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.

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Morfedel View Post
    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.

  8. #8

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    Hi Similarly, would that script be draft2fgu?

  9. #9

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

    https://www.reddit.com/r/dungeondraf...geondraft_los/

  10. #10
    Trenloe's Avatar
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    A recent discussion on making maps for FGU that may be of interest can be found here: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forum...-your-own-maps
    Private Messages: My inbox is forever filling up with PMs. Please don't send me PMs unless they are actually private/personal messages. General FG questions should be asked in the forums - don't be afraid, the FG community don't bite and you're giving everyone the chance to respond and learn!

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