Excellent software for mapmakers

[DominionsFan]

Age of Wonders 2. Shadow Magic editor. I knew that I bought this game, and I've found it finally.

Test screenie with test borders. I've also added a small hill, you can see it on the right side of the mountains below the border. [The AoW editor doesnt contains hills so I had to draw it.] I've also modified some parts of the screenie already, because the AoW editor maps are a bit pixelated.




This is definitely looking awesome to make Doms 3. maps, however a decent pain program is needed to rise the quality of the maps.

PS. Gandalf if you manage to take a look at these screenies...what do you think, which editor is better to make maps? Kohan or AoW2?. Personally I cannot decide it.

[Gandalf Parker]

There is never a best, only pros and cons.

We can certainly use some maps done by any generator. You are proving that. I like the variety for things like tree types and wasteland. I like special icons like a skull mountain or a sorcerors tower that a special province can be built around. I like that they will allow creating continent-style maps, temperature zone maps with jungles in the middle and snow at top and bottom, and also maps that can be wrapped.

On the other hand.. The mountains need abit squashed. Especially in the Kohan maps. They are great barriers but they dont look like livable provinces to me.

They might also be abit to visualy busy for good play. A person might want to create two versions. A jpg for web display, and a tga or rpg version that is globally softened in a paint program so that map features are a soft background impression that wont get in the way of seeing the game graphics while you play. A soft "impression" of mountains and forest and swamp in the background that the game plays on top of.

Gandalf Parker

[DominionsFan]

Gandalf Parker said:
There is never a best, only pros and cons.

We can certainly use some maps done by any generator. You are proving that. I like the variety for things like tree types and wasteland. I like special icons like a skull mountain or a sorcerors tower that a special province can be built around. I like that they will allow creating continent-style maps, temperature zone maps with jungles in the middle and snow at top and bottom, and also maps that can be wrapped.

On the other hand.. The mountains need abit squashed. Especially in the Kohan maps. They are great barriers but they dont look like livable provinces to me.

They might also be abit to visualy busy for good play. A person might want to create two versions. A jpg for web display, and a tga or rpg version that is globally softened in a paint program so that map features are a soft background impression that wont get in the way of seeing the game graphics while you play. A soft "impression" of mountains and forest and swamp in the background that the game plays on top of.

Gandalf Parker

Indeed, I had the same feeling about those Kohan maps. Provinces don't look like provinces actually. I think that the mountains in Kohan are too big. Actually these things can be solved, however overall imho the AoW 2 editor is better to make Doms 3. maps.

Anyways I still say that the best would be to create 2d maps, not isometric maps.
That would be the best for dominions. Take a look at this awesome overland screenshot Gandalf. IF we could make overland maps like this.....but it is impossible sadly.

[Gandalf Parker]

Yep those are great.
Well there are more games we can dig thru

[DominionsFan]

Gandalf, I've found the perfect map editor to make Doms 3. maps. [at least I hope so]
My friend will introduce it to me today afternoon. I've already seen 2 screenshots from that editor and imho that will be the best.
Sadly I don't have that game, but my friend does, so I will be able to make screenies today.
Stay tuned.

[DominionsFan]

Ok finally I had a chance to check out this map editor what I've mentioned. I guess this will be perfect.
The editor contains more then 1800(!!!!!) different tiles, so these 2 screenshots are just a small presentation of the capabilities of the editor.
[It is not that easy to make maps, because you must place all tiles 1 by 1 and they must be in the perfect place, but it is worth of it, since you can make wonderful maps this way. I've made this overland image in like 1.5 hours.]
These 2 images were photoshopped 1 time so far, but it is only a simple plastic effect, because the images are looking better this way.
If you want to see the original image, just ask and I will post it too. [It is looking very good also, but I just love the plastic effects on the images. ]
I had to post this image in 2 parts, because it was too big.
I will definitely use this map editor to make Doms 3. maps for our MP games here, but of course I will share them with all of you on these forum as well.
So Gandalf, what do you think about this map editor? Here are the screenies:

[DominionsFan]

Okay I decided to post the original screenie #2. This is the original image, without photoshop effect[s].
So originally, the map is looking like this, when you save it in the map editor.
I guess you can see the difference, the photoshopped one looks better imho.