Using Annuals

Ok, so I am now looking forward to trying a second map with CC3. I wanted to try space ship mapping. I have all of the Annuals and every program made by Pro Faqntasy, but am not sure how to use them. Can someone just give me the quick rundown on how I would start a map for this and how to properly load the symbols and such. I apologize if this sounds like a stupid questions, but I quickly find myself just plain getting lost in this program at times.
Thanks,
JSM

Comments

  • DogtagDogtag Moderator, Betatester Traveler
    edited November 2012
    Hi JSM,

    Welcome to the community. No need to apologize!

    Speaking from a Microsoft Windows standpoint, when you install previous editions of the Annual, all the issues in that annual install and then the program creates shortcuts for them on your Start menu. For current Annual issues, each individual issue installs and creates a shortcut on the Start menu. If you use the Start menu (again, on Windows) each issue should include shortcuts to samples as well as a short PDF guide. The PDF guides are the key. Each one tells you what you need to do to create content for the associated annual. They're also good to use because they walk you through creating a sample of the issue's content, so there's some nice practice to be had.

    Even without opening the PDFs, however, it's still easy to create Annual content.
    1. Create a new file in CC3 (File>Open on the menu or click the New Map button on the toolbar).
      You should see the New Drawing Wizard dialog box. There's a list of content types (Cities, Dungeons, Overland Maps, etc). This list will vary depending on the programs and annuals that you have installed.
    2. Pick the type of map you want to create (e.g. Overland Maps) and then select the Decide settings myself radio button and click Next.
      Now you should see an awesome list of content styles related to the content type you chose.
    3. Pick a style and then click Next.
    4. Follow the rest of the wizard prompts to create a blank new map/content type.
    Voila! You're on your way.

    As for non-Windows operating systems, I'm afraid I'm not familiar, but I imagine there are more similarities than differences but hopefully someone else'll chime in if necessary.

    I hope that helped,
    ~Dogtag
  • That's exactly what I was needing Dogtag. Thanks. So that does bring a specialized question to bear though. If I want to create spaceship type of floor plan, which new map type is that for example? I will now have to decipher which is considered a map or city or whatever.
    Thanks,
    JSM
  • DogtagDogtag Moderator, Betatester Traveler
    edited November 2012
    Actually...

    If you've installed all the add-ins for CC3, such as City Designer and Cosmographer, you should see a row of buttons on the toolbar for them. Cosmographer is, I think, a stylized ringed planet icon (blue? purple? pink? - sorry, I don't have it in front of me). There should be tool tips when you hover over them anyway. Click the appropriate add-on such as, in the case of deck plans, Cosmographer. That should set up the right map types in the New Map Wizard. Clicking the Cosmographer button will also change the symbol catalog buttons for you.

    Cheers,
    ~Dogtag
  • Ok, I was thinking Cosmo would have been just star maps. I still have a fair amount of poking around to do with these programs.
    Thanks,
    JSM
  • Well something is goofy here. I open up one of the sample space ships and I do not get any symbols. Here's a screen shot.
    JSM
  • It says this when I click any of the empty symbols
    JSM
  • Never mind. I am an idiot. I bought so much stuff that I do not know how to play with them all properly. It might help if I had Cosmo installed. Duh!
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