Large map (contintent-sized): CC3 or Fracal Terrain?
Hi,
I am a brand new user of Campaign Cartographer who is a bit uncertain as to whether she picked the right software for the job, or if perhaps Fractal Terrains would have been more appropriate. What I am looking to do is to create a fairly large overview map of a fantasy world. It doesn't necessarily have to be a whole globe to start with, but at least a large continent. I have tried out CC3+ for a week or so now and my main problem has been coming to grasp to what sort of scale I am working with. I made the map 5000 by 5000, but I am not sure what my scale is, as such, so it makes it hard to envision just how large a section of land the map is actually representing.
Well, as you can see, I am a bit lost on some of the core concepts. I have been trying to make my way through the documenation, but so far it is all a bit nebulous. This is my first time working with any kind of CAD software, as well.
In terms of Fractal Terrain, some of how it is described sounds quite ideal, but just how difficult is it to create a world from scratch with it? And how does it work when you export a section to CC3?
I am a brand new user of Campaign Cartographer who is a bit uncertain as to whether she picked the right software for the job, or if perhaps Fractal Terrains would have been more appropriate. What I am looking to do is to create a fairly large overview map of a fantasy world. It doesn't necessarily have to be a whole globe to start with, but at least a large continent. I have tried out CC3+ for a week or so now and my main problem has been coming to grasp to what sort of scale I am working with. I made the map 5000 by 5000, but I am not sure what my scale is, as such, so it makes it hard to envision just how large a section of land the map is actually representing.
Well, as you can see, I am a bit lost on some of the core concepts. I have been trying to make my way through the documenation, but so far it is all a bit nebulous. This is my first time working with any kind of CAD software, as well.
In terms of Fractal Terrain, some of how it is described sounds quite ideal, but just how difficult is it to create a world from scratch with it? And how does it work when you export a section to CC3?
Comments
Both programs can make maps on a global scale. I'm actually working on a continental map for a commission that is on a rather large scale. I'm also working on a world map for a campaign I will be run into in the coming months. There is an artist here on the forums, LoopySue, that does use fractal terrains, doing so.e amazing work with global and city maps with it. So if you look at some of the show and tell threads from her, myself, Lorelei... And well there are a lot of us that make overland maps....you can get a feel for what either program can do.
There is another edition you can purchase, and it's WELL worth the small investment, and that's the Tome if Ultimate Mapping. It's currently available for cc3, so it won't integrate into cc3+, but the information in it is extremely helpful, once you have the basics down. I also believe there are plans to upgrade it to cc3+ but that takes time.
As for how well fractal terrains will import into cc3+, the answer would be very well. Profantasy designs all of their programs to work in conjunction with each other. From what I can tell with the programs I do have, they work together mostly seamlessly.
It really boils down to a matter of taste. And that, unfortunately, only you can decide. But please feel free to look at the show and tell threads here in the forums. Most of us that post here are customers, just like you. We were all new once :-). You will see a lot of what these programs have to offer.
Hope this helps!
If you want to create a continent map, perhaps throw in some borders, labels, large cities and symbols, the tool for the job is CC3+
Exporting from FT3 to CC3 works quite well though, so it can be a big advantage making the main planetary map in FT3 and export the required section for further processing in CC3. There should eb a demo version of FT3 available, so you can try out it's editing functions. Be aware that it is VERY different from CC3+ though.
You say you don't know what your scale is. I recommend you sit down and think about your scale a bit before you start mapping at all. Look at some real-world maps to get a sense of how big things are, and then decide on a proper scale for your map. Starting without a scale in mind is just asking for trouble as your map progresses.
http://forum.profantasy.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5937
http://forum.profantasy.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5189
http://forum.profantasy.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=4878&page=1#Item_4
http://forum.profantasy.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=4343
http://forum.profantasy.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=4199
Cheers,
~Dogtag
I will grab the Fractal Designs demo and play around with it for a bit as well, see if it might be useful to have that too. I am not (at least not so far, anyway) primarily concerned with the aesthetics of the map as its to aid world-building for a book rather than for publication. But then again, if that goes anywhere its always nice to have a nice map!
So if your continent is 20000 by 14000 miles, make a map 20000x14000. Note that whatever the size, this doesn't affect rendering it to an image file later.
I don't suppose a map can be resized once made?
Or, you can create a new map, then just use regular clipboard copy to copy entities from your old map to a new map (and optionally scale them if required). This is usually easier.