It took me the better part of 5-6 hours to really get ramped up on the software (watching and reading tutorials, exploring all the options, etc.). I found that neither overland mode, nor dungeon mode did exactly what I wanted, but eventually settled on dungeon mode, scattered some boulders, bushes and trees around, put a creek running through the middle and called it good. The first map I was trying to make was a large outdoor tactical map where my PCs would be part of a larger army battle. I finally broke down and purchased Campaign Cartographer/Dungeon Designer yesterday. Users can import their own (or downloaded) artwork, such as assets downloaded from the Dundjinni user forums,, DriveThruRPG, the Roll20 Marketplace, etc. May require as much as 4GBs of RAM for very large maps with many layers not 64-bit, so must often be run in 32-bit compatibility mode not intended for city maps or large-scale (e.g. drop-shadows, glows, blur, color/contrast/brightness adjustments, and bevel effects) Ten free content Add-Ons provide a great “Starter Kit”, usable without a license (low-resolution output) huge selection of additional professional content Add-Ons for sale, some of which can be used for published or commercial map projects supports print resolution as well as VTT resolutions artistic talent and technical skills not required. Support for layers, textures, and bitmap filter effects (e.g. Focuses primarily on tactical-scale battlemaps, but could also be used to create town/village maps and some area maps. Locally-installed application intended for creating great-looking maps quickly and easily, either from scratch, with the help of a random generator, and/or using professional content Add-Ons. $45-$100 (assets that allow for commercial use tend to command a higher price tag than those that are "Personal Use Only") Varies widely depending on genre and specific needs, but approx.
Windows 7 - Windows 10, Mac OS X (no native Linux support, but can be used with WINE or Virtualbox) Need to find own library of textures/symbols. Considered by many to be the number one image raster tool and as such enjoys a plethora of support tools and add-ons. Premium choice for professional artists.Ĭan be overwhelming at first but has the best performing pipeline.
Includes full suite of support tools, automation, effects and styles. Professional 2D/3D Raster Image software. D&D Dungeon Tilesįree, very easy to use and add custom tile sets.īasic functionality but respectable outputs Includes a large collection of 8/16bit tiles as well as supporting custom tiles e.g.
Java based quick n easy app for creating 2D/isometric tiled maps. Web browser based quick-n-easy app for creating florrplans, includes WotC D&D like tile graphicsįree, easy to use, includes tiles, no software needed, can add own tilesīasic functionality, Internet connection needed, limited map size (although it is pretty big) Steep learning curve, need to find/organise own mapping objects Ultimate flexibility, free, online tutorials Learning curve, cost, powerful PC needed if making large maps with effects Powerful, plenty of add ons, actively developed, designed specifically for mapping, no artistic talent needed, comes with lots of symbols (royalty free if used in maps), online & offline tutorials CAD type application designed specifically for mapping - includes layers, custom effects, symbols.