Real World Overlays
I was wondering if there are any real world overlays for custom made maps based on the real world. I have a story set in the future (about 150 years) and I want to make some maps to show the changes in the regions from today, both geopolitically and physically. I don't think I could do good just hand drawing the map into the software, and was thinking that if there were overlays that I could download and install (images that I can set to a certain layer/sheet) that I could use that as a basis and go from there. I am looking for world and regionally. Specifically, I am looking for midatlantic US (Between DC and Delaware).
Tagged:
Comments
I am assuming the map itself wouldn't be part of the finished thing, but just a reference guide, so you could use GoogleEarth?
https://earth.google.com/web/search/Delaware/@38.84003118,-76.53733817,1.59649626a,11267.14429354d,35y,0h,0t,0r/data=CigiJgokCfgJtjJHP0BAETkz7CqfPz9AGaggKPAD0lnAIa6iSu8DjFrA
Here is the area you wanted, and a zoomed in part of it.
Another option would be to download an SVG map from, say, Wikipedia, and then use the instructions for mapping with Whatabou.
EDIT: Oops, I missed the part about the mid-atlantic US... but you can always get a map of the US and use that one.
Have you looked at Annual issue No 92 - Real world data?
The problem I am seeing with that is that it has state lines but no rivers.
Ah, I see.
Well, then I guess Sue's recommendation would be the next best thing.
EDIT:
I was browsing the Annuals pages, and stumbled upon this:
https://www.profantasy.com/annual/2014/august14.html
I don't own that annual, but perhaps someone else can comment on it?
@roflo1 commented: "I was browsing the Annuals pages, and stumbled upon this:
https://www.profantasy.com/annual/2014/august14.html
I don't own that annual, but perhaps someone else can comment on it?"
This is the Annual issue 92 Quenten referred in his Oct 22 note above (only obvious if you can convert the month and year into a number correctly for the Annuals, however, so no blame attaches!).
The issue covers importing and converting real-world vector data from the free-access Natural Earth website (there's a link from the Aug 2014 Annual page) into CC3, and comes with a group of so-converted FCW sample maps of the world. It especially concentrates on converting the continent of South America into a standard CC3-look overland map as its worked example, albeit with just the coastline and rivers illustrated (you get three FCW maps showing the process). There are also files with the 1:10 million vector data that were used to create the various CC3 maps with the issue.
Can't really say much more, as although I've had it for some time, I've never used this particular issue of the Annual, and it could be a while before Ralf gets round to demonstrating it in his weekly YouTube live-streams, unfortunately, as last week's covered issue 15!
It does seem as if it should be possible to prepare the sort of map @serious77 was wanting using it though.