Starting out. Help!
Hi there. I'm looking to start out as a D&D DM after a LONG break. I'm looking for a drag and drop solution to create floor plans. I am going to use pre existing campaign maps so am just looking for a solution that I can use for low level buildings/dungeons that I've imagined. Note, I have little time and no artistic talent so am literally looking for a drag and drop solution. I don't want to reuse other peoples plans really as I would like to create my own. This package looks great but its also very expensive. There are so many add-ons that I'm unclear as to the investment and there doesn't seem to be a trial version that I could find. Is there one? My first objective is to plan out an inn. Looks like I'll need Dungeon Designer but then do I also need shape packs? How much is this going to cost to get me up and running? If I wanted to design an inn (multi-floor) and wanted to pick shapes from the most comprehensive list, what would I need to buy? Thanks is advance.
Comments
For starting out, based on the needs you describe, I would start with CC3+ (The basic program) and DD3 (Dungeon Designer, for dungeons and floorplan level maps (including battlemaps)). You can buy the symbol sets and stuff later, there are plenty symbols and stuff in that package, and the additional symbol sets adds extra map styles, not more symbols for the basic styles.
As for trial versions, there are none, but ProFantasy has 14-day money back guarantee.
Like you, I have no artistic talent when it comes to visual art. But I have made some amazing maps with this program. It does have a learning curve, BUT how long it takes you to learn depends on a couple of things.
If you have ever used Photo Shop, or the old Paint Shop pro, it may take a bit, because you almost have to unlearn everything you knew. But if, like me, you aren't used to those types of programs, it should take less time, because you don't have to retrain your brain.
Plus there is a LOT more f support for this program, not only fro. The company, but also from others that use it. We have a great community here... and we help each other on a daily.basis.
I have turned out over 2,000 CC2 maps, and I'm redoing them in CC3/CC3+ now, so my sites currently only have about 1,500 maps on them.
There is lots of discussion in here on inserting bmp or png files into a template and making maps.