Maps and Map Making

I was thinking today about Maps and Mapmaking, and whats better drawing by hand or using Software to create your Maps.

For Dungeons, personally I prefer drawing them by hand - even if its just line and numbers mapping (like the Drummer in my Band used to do, on the rare occasion he turned his hand to DM'ing) or full-blown map drawing using gridded paper - I find as I am referring back and forth to books whilst I draw my Map that Ideas occur to me that might not when I'm simply tapping away at a keyboard or dragging a computer-mouse whilst looking at a PC Monitor.

I even know of one DM who draws things by hand, then scans them and finishes them off in Photoshop - but even going that extra mile for his Maps, he's still taken the time to at least start them by hand - something I think is admirable.

The same goes for Maps of Towns and Wilderness Maps - I "rough" them out using pen and Pencil, and then do a "tidy" map using the PC (I still love using software from the 2nd Edition "AD&D Core Rules" suite of programs for my overland maps) - giving me something quite professional to show my Players.

Whatever your take on Map Making, or your "process" - even though they are a very important part of the planning and the gaming experience, creating them should also be practical and fun - and I think at least some hand drawing is not only fun, but essential - especially in this sterile technological age.

A New Day Dawns

Well, a new Day dawns - and I'm feeling a little more optimistic again today. I did a little more painting last night, and progressed on (slightly) with two Otherworld Adventurers.

A Magic User and a Converted (with Scimitar) Fighter.

In the painting que at the moment are some more Player Characters (all Otherworld) -  a Human Lady Magic User (I don't think she's out yet), another (converted) Human Fighter, a Hafling Thief, a Half Orc Assassin, and a Ranger, and I want to get an Otherworld Cleric at some point.

Then (all being well) some Hobgoblins - Otherworld sculpts of these Classic Monsters and maybe then a Minotaur.

The Otherworld Stirges keep calling to me as well LoL.

I'm also TRYING to plan a 3D Dungeon Layout at the moment - four 1' x 1' squares with the entrances/exits at the same point on 2-3 of the sides, allowing me to re-position/change the layout between sessions/games - which will leave Doors that lead no-where sometimes, my logic being that the other side can be a secret door if desired/required

I recently got asked what my "process" was when Painting Miniatures - what I tend to do is focus on one specific element on a model - in the case of the Magic-User the Robe, in the case of the Fighter the brassy/bronze Armour I wanted on him. As that first element takes "shape" on the miniature, I start seeing the big picture of how the character or monster is going to look in my head - and find it much easier (OK, with my crappy hands its never that easy) to paint something.

LOADS of "real world" stuff to do today, can't wait to carry on tonight . . . . .

Sorry

Sorry about the total lack of effort, had some bad health issues - had to have a biopsy, waiting for results etc, etc

So my enthusiasm "waned"  quite badly, but thanks to chatting to Simon (check out his Blog Here - Brummie's Wargaming Blog ) my "drive" and imagination is returning now.

I've started working on some World/Scenario Ideas again, and  started on some new Miniatures for gaming with.

These are my new Dungeon Bases I sculpted and cast up - I'm planning on painting them as a Mix of Both Grey-Stone and Sand-Stone (like the old GW Cardboard Floorplans)

So much to do!