When you put more details on the map, if the borders really start to look odd, try making them a lot thinner first before you get rid of them. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't.

Playing with sheet effects to see what they can do is the only way to really learn how to use them in the future. Too many people never even try the less common ones, but they all have quite interesting uses.

That's quite an interesting look. I had never envisaged Spectrum being used with political borders, but it seems to do ok :)

You're welcome :)

What I described is only a very general summary. Both these processes are described in the annual in far greater detail as two separate 20+ page illustrated mapping guides.

I used to do that in the first few months. You get used to it in the end - a bit like touch-typing without even needing to think of what letters you are actually hitting.