Da Spiff's Guide to Making Maps
This is a guide I put together on how to make good maps. I have built all of our maps. I have put together my guide on how to make your maps stand out and be useful to all players. Here are some guidelines. Before you start, however be warned: It takes time to make a good map. Even my map of level 6 took a while to completely get done and level 6 is tiny.
I. Get a good program for editing your maps. I use Paint Shop Pro version 4.14 to build my maps. It has a variety of tools which are very useful when building a map. It also allows you to save your map as a .GIF image rather than a bitmap or a JPEG image which take up much more space.
II. Draw out your map on graph paper first. This is much easier then entering it in a computer program as you go. Use colored pencils if you can. Mark fountains/doorways etc. in different colors so they will be easier to recognize when you build it on the computer. Use pencil so you can erase mistakes as they are easy to make when mapping unexplored territory.
III. When you have finished your map on paper start building it from scratch in your editing program. Zoom in close so you can do detail work easily even if it is pixel by pixel. Don't scan it as it will not look near as good.
IV. Make all of your maps uniform. Don't use a different style and look for each map. This makes them confusing. Make them all similiar and then all of your maps will be easier to read.
V. Use the right size for each square. Don't make your map HUGE or too small as then it will be annoying to use. Find a good size that will allow all of your maps to print out on one page if possible and use that same size for all of your maps. I have found that 12 pixels in Paint Shop Pro from top to bottom and left to right is the best size for my maps. You can see each square easily and can print out all of the maps on one page for easy reference.
VI. Include a lot of detail. This will make it easier for those using your map to find where they are. See some wreckage? Include it. See doorframes in some area? Put them in. Find a spot with some really tough monsters? Mark their locations. This will make it fun to use your maps as there will be plenty of landmarks for people to find themselves with.
VII. Make your map easy to read. Are there two squares next to each other with a wall in between? Make the wall on your map thicker so it's easy to see. Have each square distinct so people know exactly where they are. Fill in empty spaces in your maps so people don't think they can travel there. Include a map key so it's easy to know just what that colored circle thing on your map is. Use the same symbols on all your maps so they key will be the same for them all and easier to learn.
VIII. Go the extra mile. Notice some chests always have potions or certain items in them? Mark the difference in your map. Tell exactly where each doorway goes. Search for secrets areas behind false walls. Mark them on your map when you find them. Put the level number on your map somewhere so it doesn't confuse people.
IX. Just built the biggest, baddest, and best map and can't wait to share it? Slow down, buddy. Go back and recheck your map in the game. It's very easy to make small errors that can easily be corrected just by checking things over. I almost built my level 6 map backwards and would have had it all messed up if I hadn't gone back and checked it.
X. Don't be afraid to update. If you notice something extra you can include in your map or something changes go back and improve your map. This will keep them fresh and help you stay on top with your best maps.
XI. Before you put your map up, make sure that it is easy to read and that it looks good. If it needs something, go ahead and add it. Make sure it is accurate as well because no one wants a map that isn't accurate.
XII. Share your maps with the world! Don't just keep them for yourself. Get them up on the Internet so everyone can enjoy them. If you can make some awesome maps we will be glad to put them up on our page and give you credit if they're good. Or put them up on your page, just share them with everyone.
I, Da Spiff, have made maps of all the mine levels and have built maps of most of the caves. I really enjoy making maps and I think you all should give it a try. If everyone is willing to help out others in Panumbra it will be a better game!!
If you have a map for us please E-mail us telling us about it and yourself and include the map as an attachment. If it's good we will put it up on the page and give you credit! E-mail us here guild_of_the_spiff@yahoo.com
Check out my maps below:
Mine Maps
Level 1 *NOTE* To print this one you may
need to extend your printers margins depending on your printer as it is big. It does fit
on one page though.
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Cave Maps
Right now the guilds mapping is completed except for the Tomb of Minos. If you can provide help it will be greatly appreciated. Please E-mail me if you can help. Good luck with your maps.
