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Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: Matthew M. Teixeira mteixei1@*****.rr.com
Subject: Mapping Software
Date: Thu, 24 Jun 1999 00:02:26 -0400
Hail Chummers,

When it comes time for the GM's out there to create a map of a club, bank,
apartment, etc. what do you use to create the maps? I ask because I am
going to start fleshing out locations for my groups and I would like to
make them available on a website. A software application for mapping would
make this easier than drawing it out on graph paper and scanning it in.

Any one know of any good mapping software?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Matthew M. Teixeira
mteixei1@*****.rr.com
Message no. 2
From: Sven De Herdt Sven.DeHerdt@***********.be
Subject: Mapping Software
Date: Thu, 24 Jun 1999 09:26:42 +0200
On Thursday, June 24, 1999 6:02 AM, Matthew M. Teixeira
[SMTP:mteixei1@*****.rr.com] wrote:
> Hail Chummers,
>
> When it comes time for the GM's out there to create a map of a club,
bank,
> apartment, etc. what do you use to create the maps? I ask because I am

> going to start fleshing out locations for my groups and I would like
to
> make them available on a website. A software application for mapping
would
> make this easier than drawing it out on graph paper and scanning it
in.
>
> Any one know of any good mapping software?
>
> Thanks in advance for the help.
>
> Matthew M. Teixeira
> mteixei1@*****.rr.com

I usually use the maps included in DMZ, Demilitarized Zone (a sorta
shadowrun war-/boardgame). Actually that the only reason I ever bought
the box, just for the use of the maps.

I find them particularly useful since they are actually made to the
scale of miniatures and this makes it very easy to figure out
positioning, line of sight,...

For all other purposes I use hand-drawn maps, because I usually have a
little drawing in my notebook and I tend to draw it progressively while
the runners are exploring/discovering the building, perimeter,... It
takes a bit more of your time during play but PCs only get to see and
know what they actually see.

--
Sven De Herdt :)

SRCG v0.2 SR1! SR2++ SR3++ h b++>+++ B>+ UB->++ IE+(-) RN+(-) dk++>+++
sa- ma++ sh++ ad+ ri+ mc- m+ gm+>++(+++) M-(+)
Message no. 3
From: 00DNA mcmanus@******.albany.edu
Subject: Mapping Software
Date: Thu, 24 Jun 1999 09:09:34 -0400
At 12:02 AM 6/24/99 -0400, Matthew M. Teixeira wrote:

>Any one know of any good mapping software?

I just draw my players a map by hand when they are just getting someplace,
but it does give a nice touch when you have a printed map for when they
actually get a map...either from the Johnson or from a decker run. Usually
I just use some graphics software to draw it out. However at work we have
Visio, it's for diagrams and such and it's got a section for office designs
and I've been fooling around with that a bit...but I don't think it's that
great for very small scale...however you can type in how many feet or
meters a wall length or anything else is, that's nice.


--00DNA
"...user connection terminated."
Message no. 4
From: Sommers sommers@*****.umich.edu
Subject: Mapping Software
Date: Thu, 24 Jun 1999 09:26:13 -0400
At 09:09 AM 6/24/99 , 00DNA wrote:
>At 12:02 AM 6/24/99 -0400, Matthew M. Teixeira wrote:
>
>>Any one know of any good mapping software?
>
>I just draw my players a map by hand when they are just getting someplace,
>but it does give a nice touch when you have a printed map for when they
>actually get a map...either from the Johnson or from a decker run. Usually
>I just use some graphics software to draw it out. However at work we have
>Visio, it's for diagrams and such and it's got a section for office designs
>and I've been fooling around with that a bit...but I don't think it's that
>great for very small scale...however you can type in how many feet or
>meters a wall length or anything else is, that's nice.

We've got Visio at work here too. If I know that the group is going to be
in a specific building, I'll try and whip one out on that ahead of time.
Then I take my laptop into work and plug it into the network. On an HP 5si
I can print to ledger paper (11.5" x 17") and get it to 25mm miniature
scale. Worked out pretty well too. Especially when the decker hacks a
system to get a blueprint and you can actually pull one out.

Sommers
Insert witty quote here.
Message no. 5
From: Matt Teixeira MMTeixeira@***********.com
Subject: Mapping Software
Date: Thu, 24 Jun 1999 12:31:37 -0400
The reason the software becomes important is because distribution of my maps
is via the web, so I need a graphic format. Scanning is the long way about
it (but will do if necessary).

Doc mentioned Campaign Cartographer from Profantasy. I had considered it,
but have no experience with the Dungeon Designer (whichj is the part I would
have to use for building blueprints). Has anyone used this to try to create
maps?

BTW - Visio may have to be the alternative. I have used it some and could
get it for home.

Thanks for all the help.

Matthew M. Teixeira
mteixei1@*****.rr.com
Message no. 6
From: Mockingbird mockingbird@*********.com
Subject: Mapping Software
Date: Thu, 24 Jun 1999 13:58:06 -0500
----- Original Message -----
From: Matt Teixeira <MMTeixeira@***********.com>
To: ShadowRN <shadowrn@*********.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 1999 11:31 AM
Subject: RE: Mapping Software


> The reason the software becomes important is because distribution of my
maps
> is via the web, so I need a graphic format. Scanning is the long way about
> it (but will do if necessary).
>
> Doc mentioned Campaign Cartographer from Profantasy. I had considered it,
> but have no experience with the Dungeon Designer (whichj is the part I
would
> have to use for building blueprints). Has anyone used this to try to
create
> maps?
>
> BTW - Visio may have to be the alternative. I have used it some and could
> get it for home.
>
> Thanks for all the help.
>
> Matthew M. Teixeira
> mteixei1@*****.rr.com
>

Hi,
Question. Have you looked at any home designer programs? I know I have
seen some that include all kinds of icons for various pieces of furniture.


Mockingbird
Message no. 7
From: Roger Nicholls roger@*******.freeserve.co.uk
Subject: Mapping Software
Date: Thu, 24 Jun 1999 20:38:07 +0100
>>Any one know of any good mapping software?

You should check out www.profantasy.com

This sight shows both Campaign Cartographer & Dungeon Designer. I personally
use both on a fairly regular basis for all the games I play including
Shadowrun.

Regards,

Roger.
Message no. 8
From: Logan Graves logan1@*****.intercom.net
Subject: Mapping Software
Date: Thu, 24 Jun 1999 19:11:50 -0400
In our last episode, "Matthew M. Teixeira" wrote:
>
> Any one know of any good mapping software?


One thing I did long ago was to buy a $10 "Home Design" computer program.
Look in CD bargain bins at your local software store ...or WalMart ;-p for
these, they usually cost under $20 US. Over here, at least, costs & quality of
these proggies vary greatly: $9 to $150.

So instead of having to learn a big, clunky, CAD engine, these bare-bones
programs will allow you to start creating workable RPG maps for "modern"
settings in just a few minutes. Most of them come with a variety of furniture
and some even have pre-generated "sample" floorplans.

I can usually whip up an on-the-spot apartment while the players break for a
stuffer-run.

--Fenris
______________________________________________________logan1@*****.intercom.net
(>) Fenrir shamans are mean and ruthless
individuals who have a disturbing tendency
to treat others like their next meal.
(>) MitS, pg.158
Message no. 9
From: IronRaven cyberraven@********.net
Subject: Mapping Software
Date: Thu, 24 Jun 1999 19:15:21 -0400
At 12.31 06-24-99 -0400, you wrote:
>The reason the software becomes important is because distribution of my maps

If all you need is indoor maps, you can get blueprints on the web. I
don't know where, but I know they are out there for free, because there was
a hub-bub at school with on of the architecture students and net-baced
plagerism.
CyberRaven Kevin Dole
http://www.Geocities.com/Area51/Dimension/4151/welcome.html
"Once again, we have spat int he face of Death and his second cousin,
Dismemberment."
"Briar Rabbit to Briar Fox; I was BORN in that briar patch!"
Message no. 10
From: Sven De Herdt Sven.DeHerdt@***********.be
Subject: Mapping Software
Date: Fri, 25 Jun 1999 12:40:50 +0200
On Thursday, June 24, 1999 6:32 PM, Matt Teixeira
[SMTP:MMTeixeira@***********.com] wrote:
>
> Doc mentioned Campaign Cartographer from Profantasy. I had considered
it,
> but have no experience with the Dungeon Designer (whichj is the part I
would
> have to use for building blueprints). Has anyone used this to try to
create
> maps?
>
> BTW - Visio may have to be the alternative. I have used it some and
could
> get it for home.
>
You would probably use Dungeon Designer of Campaign Cartographer.

Personally I would prefer Visio. I have tried both programs and I found
Visio much easier and quicker to learn. Of course once you get to know
Campaign Cartographer it get's pretty easy as well, it just takes longer
to get there. Just my personal opinion.

--
Sven De Herdt :)
"It might look like I'm doing nothing, but at the cellular level I'm
really quite busy."

SRCG v0.2 SR1! SR2++ SR3++ h b++>+++ B>+ UB->++ IE+(-) RN+(-) dk++>+++
sa- ma++ sh++ ad+ ri+ mc- m+ gm+>++(+++) M-(+)
Message no. 11
From: Mockingbird mockingbird@*********.com
Subject: Mapping Software
Date: Fri, 25 Jun 1999 08:38:44 -0500
Hi,
Look at apartment complexes or builders. They will sometimes have floor
plans and elevations (renditions of the front of the house) on their web
site. Haven't found any commercial, but then I haven't looked real hard.

Mockingbird
----- Original Message -----
From: IronRaven <cyberraven@********.net>
To: <shadowrn@*********.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 1999 6:15 PM
Subject: RE: Mapping Software


> At 12.31 06-24-99 -0400, you wrote:
> >The reason the software becomes important is because distribution of my
maps
>
> If all you need is indoor maps, you can get blueprints on the web. I
> don't know where, but I know they are out there for free, because there
was
> a hub-bub at school with on of the architecture students and net-baced
> plagerism.
> CyberRaven Kevin Dole
> http://www.Geocities.com/Area51/Dimension/4151/welcome.html
> "Once again, we have spat int he face of Death and his second cousin,
> Dismemberment."
> "Briar Rabbit to Briar Fox; I was BORN in that briar patch!"
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Message no. 12
From: hivemind hivemind@********.rr.com
Subject: Mapping Software
Date: Fri, 25 Jun 1999 14:22:01 -0500
>When it comes time for the GM's out there to create a map of a club, bank,
>apartment, etc. what do you use to create the maps? I ask because I am
>going to start fleshing out locations for my groups and I would like to
>make them available on a website. A software application for mapping would
>make this easier than drawing it out on graph paper and scanning it in.
>
>Any one know of any good mapping software?
>
>Matthew M. Teixeira


I use CAD Complete House by Pro One Software (www.sofsource.com), which I
picked up for $9.99 at K-Mart. It ain't the best, but it is easy and cheap.

hivemind
Sometimes when reading Goethe I have the paralyzing suspicion that he is
trying to be funny.
-- Guy Davenport
Message no. 13
From: Even_Tømte etomte@******.no
Subject: Mapping Software
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 14:35:53 +0200
> Doc mentioned Campaign Cartographer from Profantasy. I had considered it,
> but have no experience with the Dungeon Designer (whichj is the part I
would
> have to use for building blueprints). Has anyone used this to try to
create
> maps?

I have. I gave up, though, and went back to drawing maps by hand. I found
CC/DD a little too complicated. If I wanted to make a really great number
of maps, learning to use the program might have been worth the effort, but
I only need a few maps now and then.

->Even.

Further Reading

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Thwap!