You could use a variety of styles that might reflect the culture of the map maker. These days most real world maps seem to look fairly similar, but that was not always the case.

You aren't alone, Jim. I am the same with written stuff. I much prefer to watch a video. Maybe you are a visual learner like me?

Oh - I forgot to say.

For it to work you need to have the sheet effects turned on, which is a checkbox at the top right of the Sheets and Effect dialog.

That drawing tool draws a solid polygon of magenta on the forest sheet. Because there is a Color Key sheet effect on that sheet set to magenta, the magenta polygon cuts a hole in the forest fill, leaving the parchment beneath it exposed.

Try it out - draw your polygon around the text where you want the hole in the forest behind it, and then refresh the view.

You're welcome :)

And thanks as well - I have been rather busy over the last few months. It appears I forgot to update it!

I will do something about that in the next week.