Having experimented with drawing a hex grid 'master' for making maps, I proceeded to do the same for an 8 x 8 square grid. The result looked like this:
This was much easier to create than the hex one, and later today I hope to use it to create the map for the first of my RED FLAGS & IRON CROSSES play-test games.
This was much easier to create than the hex one, and later today I hope to use it to create the map for the first of my RED FLAGS & IRON CROSSES play-test games.
That looks very good Bob. I've never tried Power Point for anything other than (very dull) presentations. Must take a look!
ReplyDeleteMaudlin Jack Tar,
DeleteI know people who use it all the time to produce diagrams etc., but this was my first attempt ... and I’m pleased with the result.
I also know of people who use MS Excel to produce maps ... but I’ve not tried that yet!
All the best,
Bob
My current Campaign Map is a quick Excel creation. Its handy as you can overlay objects.
DeleteMaudlin Jack Tar,
DeleteI did try overlaying an Excel spreadsheet over my Russian Front map, but the results weren’t as good as your map. It’s certainly an option I ought to look into again.
All the best,
Bob
That is very neat Bob, I like the terrain tiles, they will look excellent tesselated together.
ReplyDeleteMartin Rapier,
DeleteI’m happy with the way the square grid and tiles have turned out, and intend to try producing a map with them later today.
All the best,
Bob
Something to consider. But I still favour Microsoft Paint upon a blank grid array I have on file for the purpose. I should perhaps look more into Paint 3D, though so far have been much less impressed with its utility for my purposes.
ReplyDeleteArchduke Piccolo,
DeleteIt was a long time before I tried using MS PowerPoint rather than MS Paint, and although PowerPoint has much going for it, I have a feeling that I’ll still use Paint regularly.
I did try using Paint 3D ... but I feel that it was rather fussy to use and wasn’t as flexible (or as useful) as Paint.
All the best,
Bob
I have been using MS Power Point for maps since being introduced to it by Stephen of Balagan. I wish I could send some photos here but you could try:
ReplyDeletehttp://kingstonirregulars.blogspot.com/2015/05/a-franco-prussian-wargame.html
That is an early version to use for an AAR.
I aam going to have to send the more recent attempt by e-mail as I don't have stored in a way that I can give you an address for it.
Dick Bryant,
DeleteI seem to have been a bit of a latecomer to the mapmaking potential of PowerPoint. I’ve seen your maps, and they have certainly given me a standard to aspire to!
All the best,
Bob
One advantage of PowerPoint is you could create a separate presentation for each scenario, with each turn having a separate slide. Then, when you want to look back you can just run the scenario as a slide show. Not sure how big the files would get, but might work.
ReplyDeletePhf,
DeleteI must admit that I hadn’t considered that option ... but it is something worth considering for the future.
Thanks for the suggestion.
All the best,
Bob
This is perhaps stating the obvious, but if you want to use the topology of a hexgrid, but keep the relative easyness of using squares in powerpoint (by having them snap to each other), you should use a brickpattern.
ReplyDeletePhil Dutre,
DeleteThank you for a very interesting suggestion. It’s something that I will give some serious consideration, once I’ve got a reasonable mastery of the mapmaking aspects of PowerPoint.
All the best,
Bob
Not the greatest tools for mapmaking, but maybe ready to hand and not so difficult to use (and not an extra expense if you already have it). Looks like you have it set up pretty well for what it is.
ReplyDeleteFitz-Badger,
DeleteI've seen some of the maps that other people have produced using PowerPoint, and they are very impressive. My first attempts are a bit feeble in comparison, but I can hopefully get better!
All the best,
Bob