My First World Albion

blckassn · July 2020

Over the past year, and more like 3-4 weeks of actually using the software, I started creating my own world. It's rough right now but I want to improve it. I like the general idea of the map but I think I need to start concentrating on finer details that really make the world feel real.

I hope I can get some positive and constructive feedback from everyone. I uploaded a low res version as well as a link to my hi resolution files. I hope you will enjoy watching me take this journey as I improve my world!

Onedrive link to maps

Loopysue · July 2020

You can attach that link to the image if you like, but for now I'll concentrate on the map.

The mountains are looking good, though I'm finding it a bit strange to see them separated from the foothills the way that they are on the eastern continent. Unless there is a good reason for that gap I recommend closing it up.

The forests could do with a few more single trees to break up those very hard edges in places, but other than that a fine job.

Maybe add a deep water contour to give the ocean a bit more interest?

blckassn · July 2020

Posted By: LoopysueYou can attach that link to the image if you like, but for now I'll concentrate on the map.

The mountains are looking good, though I'm finding it a bit strange to see them separated from the foothills the way that they are on the eastern continent. Unless there is a good reason for that gap I recommend closing it up.

The forests could do with a few more single trees to break up those very hard edges in places, but other than that a fine job.

Maybe add a deep water contour to give the ocean a bit more interest?

Thanks Sue! Some of the mountains and foothill separation is supposed to create a valley, but not all of them. Do you have any suggestions on what to do that would help easier explain that the empty space between a foothill and mountain is a valley?

Also good idea on the deep water! I'll take a look into that I've never done it before.

Loopysue · July 2020

If that gap is an intentional valley, it would seem odd not to have a couple of rivers running along it from the middle somewhere, north and south. My thinking is that if the continent is wet enough for trees then there should be rivers too.

I did a blog a little while back about adding contours to oceans here, if that helps:

Shore and ocean effects for overland maps - part 2

The style I used in that blog was Herwin Wielink, which has 3 different ocean textures. I don't think the Mike Schley style does, but it has ocean contour drawing tools, which add polygons of transparent shade.

[Deleted User] · July 2020

Mike Schley also has 2 sea textures - ocean and sea. I use solid black 20 for deeper seas, and solid white 20 for shallow seas, put on top of Ocean and sea respectively - still all on separate sheets so they can get their own Edge fade Inner effects.

Loopysue · July 2020

The ocean contour drawing tool does that automatically.

blckassn · July 2020

There is a Sea Contour but I can't get it to do anything. Without sheet effects I see the transparent polygon. With sheet effects I see nothing.

Sue I followed your blog regarding shore and ocean effects and I'm having artifacting while I have my background on. I'm getting white spots or white dots in the new Background sheets I made. I attached a picture to show what's going on.

Loopysue · July 2020

Hmmm. That's Transparency Acne, which is caused by using the same texture over the top of itself.

Try changing the texture in those areas to "Solid 20 bitmap" and using a blend mode sheet effect set to Multiply. I would increase the EFI there too so that the edge is not so sharp.

blckassn · July 2020

Posted By: LoopysueHmmm. That's Transparency Acne, which is caused by using the same texture over the top of itself.

Try changing the texture in those areas to "Solid 20 bitmap" and using a blend mode sheet effect set to Multiply. I would increase the EFI there too so that the edge is not so sharp.

That worked thank you! Never had that issue before. Doing something simple like adding the dark contour definitely makes it look better. I plan on working on it and hope to have another updated map by the end of next week.

Loopysue · July 2020

I think the sheet the drawing tool contour goes on has an edge fade inner on it that is simply massive. That may have been why you couldn't see anything when you tried it. I recall this now, though I didn't remember it earlier. What we have done here between us is replicate what the contour drawing tool is supposed to do.

blckassn · August 2020

Here's an updated map of the eastern continent. that's where most of my progress was so I didn't export the entire map.

I made dark outlines in the water for the deep areas. Created more rivers where I thought they were appropriate. Removed trees between hills and mountains where they didn't seem to fit. Smoothed out some forest areas so the edges weren't so hard. Other minor changes.

You can see a large gap between the mountain and hills I'll need to close that up. Otherwise I'm liking the progress.

jmabbott · August 2020

Good work so far. My only thing is that the darker water in the eastern portion looks like a shadow of the landmass which is a bit wierd. Try varying the shape a little and drawing the deeper water outside of the map of border to give the impression of a larger, deeper body of water.

Loopysue · August 2020

Maybe that would be cured if you use the move node tool to adjust the extent so that it goes beyond the border and under the screen?

Looks great other than just that strange optical illusion

blckassn · August 2020

Haha yea it does look a bit odd. I noticed that when I used the fractalize tool it would restrict it to the map border, and then the edge fade would bring it in that much further.

My desktop is filled with unorganized pictures lol. What does everyone think about my newest version? Biggest improvement is fleshing out the land by adding more features, smoothing out the forest edges, gave it some beaches etc.

Loopysue · August 2020

Oh yes, that's much better all round

blckassn · August 2020

Thanks Sue!

So here's where I need specific feedback. I'm starting to smooth out the rough edges in my map. I think I've done a good job so far as a once over. Honestly I think I need to start reading about how to make maps. I think what I have I could pass off as reasonable to my D&D group but I always want to get better.

I do have one question I have. I'm using the Overland Mike Schley symbol set. If I use one of the Custom drawing tools such as Terrain Default, Woodlands Pine, how can I change the density of the trees? For example if I want the trees to be more dense, is there a way to edit the tool to double the density at which the trees are drawn?

Thanks everyone for the help so far!

Loopysue · August 2020

You're doing a grand job there

I'm not an expert with drawing tools, so you will need help from others on top of my advice for the details of 'how to' here, but as I understand it the woods drawing tools use a symbol fill that is a saved 'Symbols in Area' setup. You can make your own Symbols in Area setup by opening the dialog from the Draw menu. There are several options there, but I think the one you want is Symbols in Area.

blckassn · August 2020

Been a while since I've updated, i've been working on some other stuff and uni is starting again soon.

Two major changes I've made is how the forests are laid out. One side of the mountain range will be more densely populated as compared to the opposite side of the mountain range. Second minor change is reworking of some of the rivers/wetlands to make them flow more natural. Trying to carve out a singular high/low point, and have the rivers join together instead of fork.

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My First World Albion

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