The simplicity is VERY appealing on these, I agree - as long as you can remember what the symbols mean, anyway! I recently got a full set of the Inkwell Ideas Dungeonmorph Dice sets, many of which use the same basic designs and symbols. At least those come with a key on each boxed set though!

I do recall now you mention it that photocopy prevention angle; I'd forgotten all about that in the intervening decades. Mind you, it was a struggle to even read the pale blue or grey maps sometimes anyway, which always seemed rather self-defeating, particularly when the detail plans inside the booklets were done in clear black-and-white.

It's great to be able to add a grid to these maps without worrying about where it's going, as that blue background hides everything that's the same colour so nicely.

Well, just caught-up with the video finally tonight, and another good one.

I think I learnt more about using CC3 (as it then was) by playing around with this one style than pretty well any other single thing (other than Joe Sweeney's excellent tutorial videos) when I was starting out with the program. The discovery of multiple Sheet symbols was a real revelation as to some of the things the different Sheet Effects could do for you even when NOT using them with symbols, for instance. Plus of course it also teaches you some of the important basics, like the Trace command (from simply following the instructions in the PDF mapping guide with this CA issue).

Learning about the vector symbols in this style is valuable too, I think, as the style - using simple, black, straight-edged polygons and a colour that will be faded almost away - is very easy to master and then create your own symbols similarly. This was great news for someone without significant (i.e. any!) real artistic skills.

Always liked this style; it was what persuaded me to buy my first-ever Cartographer's Annual! Plus of course it was updated more recently as well.

Slightly confused @Quenten - Monseignor never went away...

Might be a while before this hits the Atlas, incidentally, as there's still quite a queue because of the fire & ice contest entries, aside from other items by Quenten and JimP (and possibly others!).

With my usual delay, I've just caught up with this week's video now.

Didn't really know what to expect from the title, but it proved quite fascinating, and thought-provoking. Having spent a lifetime making and painting models, I'm inclined to agree with Remy's "stress-inducing" comments in the YouTube chat, as getting models to looks right needs a lot of concentrated effort, especially when you're doing something new for the first time!

However, what occurred to me while watching this is that you don't actually need to make your own models. There are many, often small, companies that specialise in manufacturing scale models of all kinds, including scenery for model railways, wargames and RPGs, some of whom prepare pre-painted and finished items. So picking up some of those would be another option for those who don't trust their own modelling skills, or who haven't the time or interest to follow the DIY route. Image those, and away you go. And yes, there are even companies that make finished model mountains!

I mentioned recently when presenting my in-progress mapping for Wyvern Citadel elsewhere on the Forum that the basis for that castle was a full 3D model castle constructed from modular pieces produced by Dwarven Forge. Now Dwarven Forge also produces modular model dungeons and caves, all finished, painted and ready to use out of the box. And yes, they're not cheap, just like that castle (if not quite so fearsomely-priced overall)! Other companies do some stuff like this, often unpainted, so there are alternatives, and DF do sell unpainted versions as well. However, the DF items cover probably the widest range of possible options in a consistent format. What struck me watching Ralf's video was that with enough pieces like these, it would be possible to generate your own Perspectives-style set of dungeon or cave symbols, by imaging your own models. So this idea needn't be restricted to just overland mapping.