Best products from r/mapmaking

If you look closely you can see the shapes of individual buildings, which can be discovered via satellite imagery. Then you have street names and place
names, not terribly difficult to obtain when you have diplomatic staff in the city. There is also hydrographic information about the Potomac such as
depths, flow rate, and width, which was often taken from the official surveys (to say nothing of having a soviet branded survey vessel taking readings
outside the Pentagon's windows). Less obvious from the picture is that they have ascertained the building material, weight limit, and clearance of the
bridges, which could only have been done by boots on the ground.

Here's a larger sample taken from the same scale. Look how much detail went into that. Borrowed from here.

Now picture that all of this information was mapped by the Soviets of nearly the entire world's urban areas- over 2,000, though many have not resurfaced-
and you get a good idea of the wealth of information that they had to work with. In some of the Warsaw Pact countries they had crazy details like
individual trees and the distance between them listed.

These maps are fascinating and a little unsettling. They have a lot of details left out of official published maps, like military installations, the names and products of factories,
mountain passes and what time of the year they were passable, police stations, even subway line stops and if the lines were electric or not. What does that mean? The maps could be
used for conventional air strikes bombardments, and troop movements, but that doesn't account for the civilian infrastructure like mass transit- they must have been occupation maps as
well. They knew which bridges their tanks could cross, which rivers their ships could navigate, where the vast majority of our military and government buildings were, the various heights
of neighborhoods to help troops unfamiliar with the area... And not just the US, either. Most countries. On top of that, the maps were regularly updated. Think of the resources needed
to handle all of that.

While no one is sure just how many maps there are and of what areas, a lot surfaced in the Baltics following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
This article from Wired is a fascinating read. You can now buy originals and reproductions from ebay shops based in Latvia and
Lithuania as well as vendors who likely purchased from those guys. Here is a large scale map of my hometown of Dallas, TX. Incidentally, if anyone
can find a copy of the 1:25,000 map that supposedly exists I'd love to see it. It would look very cool on my wall. It's unnerving and beautiful all at once.

Further reading: Red Atlas: How the Soviet Union Secretly Mapped the World
This book was recently released and I finished it yesterday. It's more of a technical analysis, there still isn't really any information about the how and the official why.
I thought it was fascinating. It goes into the detail, the errors made, the cultural assumptions made that didn't translate well, etc. You can tell a lot about a country by
how they draw and label yours.

Thanks for reading! Would love to see any additional info on this in the replies. I'm so amazed that these maps exist.

I used a Huion Giano tablet that I got very recently. I'm not really used to it yet, but it's been awesome so far! It's much easier to draw smooth lines than it is with a mouse. It only took 10 attempts per line instead of 30 with a mouse. It's absolutely huge (larger than an A4 piece of paper) so it's got a big area for drawing with. I don't have much experience with graphics tablets, but I love it so far.

As for experience, I edit a lot of photos, and I've made plenty of composite images by cutting and pasting parts of photos together, but aside from some terrible sketches by hand, I've not actually drawn or painted anything before. I always either steal textures from stock photos or use solid colour. It helped knowing how to use Photoshop generally, though.

I used some sneaky tricks to help add depth, like adding a small drop shadow layer style to the trees and houses in lieu of drawing actual shadows.

> Goblins

Actually, I think they'd be more likely to strike as soon as the party makes themselves comfortable - as in, they settle down for the night - after clearing a large infestation.

> Recruiting soldiers at different cities

1. Don't forget to implement Charisma checks (Diplomacy) for recruiting soldiers. A well-spoken, seemingly good leader will be more efficient at recruiting than a completely uncharismatic Wizard.
   
   
2. Keep in mind you can hire a dozen spearmen at any village for a barrel of mead and a gold coin, but given enough time you'll train them up to elite levels. Provided they don't skip fortress (which seems realistic). Recruiting experienced soldiers at cities will save time, but not gold in that case.
   
   And, IIRC, pay for a trained soldier is between 1 silver and 1 gold coin (1 gp = 10 sp)... at least in 3.5.
   
   ----------------
   
   No idea what edition are you playing, but Stronghold Builder's Guide has plenty of material not restricted by editions. Book of Challenges also has a pile on info for making in-built castle and dungeon protection mechanisms (read: traps).
   
   Finally, take a look at Stirling Castle, Scotland. I came across it fairly recently, been drooling ever since. It looks amazing. Only needs some adjustments for a fantasy setting - for example, protection against flying enemies.
   
   Happy DMing! :)

If you are starting with photoshop, I suggest you first get a basic understanding of how the program itself works. What I did was just to look up tutorials on youtube (There are thousands) and just follow along. In the start you don't really need to know what you are doing, just to get comfortable with the buttons and shortcuts.
Then I'd suggest learning about layers, since it's very important to know how they interact with eachother. Following that, try a map-making tutorial (which you can also find on youtube there are also several on cartographers guild, and after you finish it, try to recreate it from memory and see how it goes. Be prepared to put in a lot of time however, my first map took me some 50-60 hours to make. However I was learning as I was going along, seeing what works, and what does not work.

If you decide to try to do it by hand, all I can say is that practice makes perfect. I have a friend who bought ( http://www.amazon.com/How-Draw-Fantasy-Art-Maps/dp/1440340242#reader_1440340242) and managed to bang out incredible looking maps, and he's not at all a naturally talented artist.

Well, you'll likely find the graphics tablet route far more sensitive for doing what you've in mind. If you're truly planning on Game development, there's little reason to skimp unless you're just broke. Here's an option if you're looking to save cash. That said, it's totally possible to do this with a mouse, given enough patience and time.

Now, all things considered, what you'll find most helpful is practice. The problem with making maps is that you're never 'done.' You will always have room for improvement, so keep practicing. Setting realistic goals is the best way to get started, and then later you can expand so that you don't get overwhelmed too early on.

Honestly, I think tracing is a good way to get lost because you'll just copy the topical information and miss the purpose. Study climate guides and stare at real maps until your eyes bleed, because that's how you learn what shapes pass for real. You will never make a map with procedural generation that will top a map made by hand with experience and realism in mind.

What you're doing is fucking hard, man, but it can be done. I fully respect you because I don't think I could hack it.

Small but nice, probably way overpriced though.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MOOEDXU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_2PN5xb74G1HJ9

Bigger with some names, wouldn't call it a political map.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01D53G5TS/ref=pd_aw_sim_sbs_201_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=09W2NDA68NWMRZYEM9MZ

I think this is some kind of special sticker but you could just remove the quotes.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B7VPIZC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_lUN5xb540YKHD

Similar to the last without the quotes and is solid black.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013F1CY7M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_6VN5xb9C38JQM

This one is pretty cool and it's cloth.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LNFTUPG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_VXN5xbVTBS8EE

I'm a geologist and a lot of the mapping I did in school was mapping rock units and geologic features on topographic maps with mylar overlays. Super fun. Might work well for you.

Map Board: http://www.cattywampur.com/2016/04/09/custom-high-quality-map-board/

Overkill Compass: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00I4W95CK/ref=pd_aw_sim_sbs_468_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=NGJQ452XT4PM017FHJB3&dpPl=1&dpID=61-8qtWso8L

Topo Maps: https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/viewer/

Yeah; don't mess up!

I'm just kidding, I do have an actual tip. Since I don't know your experience level, it might be stuff you know already, sorry if so.

Use pens with different size tips (such as these ) to differentiate different elements, like the outline of the mountains vs the contours of the mountains, and the coastline vs rivers. Start by inking everything but the thinnest lines with a medium size pen, then go over the thicker lines with the thicker pen. This gives you some wiggle room for changing shapes slightly during the inking process, so you're not stuck with the first line you laid down. Then when all of that is done, give it about 10-20 minutes to fully dry and erase your pencil lines gently with a white eraser.

Then go in with your thinnest pen and do the finest lines.

Oh OK, I like the idea of canals, that's actually really cool. Ummm, colored pencils would look really nice, but might smudge. I usually go with a set of Stabilo art markers. Either way, get something with a large range, so you can shade a lot.

This is what I use personally, although you should maybe buy a single pen or pencil to see how you like them before shelling out for anything big. Most art shops sell singles.

https://www.amazon.com/Stabilo-8830-1-Point-30-Coloring-Fineline/dp/B00ATBRJRC

First step is to figure out the scale of the map - How big is the place?

Second step is to choose the style you want to go in.

Third step is to practice on a separate bit of paper the artwork you are going to create, random mountains, forests, etc.

Note that in a perspective map the items in front can partially hide items behind them. If you have a very large map, then the symbols can be very small and still convey what is happening with the terrain.

Example: http://i.imgur.com/9aQF8YL.png

And of course there is the Classic Tolkien map

So start at the bottom and work you way up so that you do not have to paint over or draw over things.

Have small grid lines in a light distinctive color so you can keep things lined up and straight. (or else use a ruler) One of the reasons graph paper is blue is because the light blue can be filtered out, leaving only the black lines of the artwork.

Drawing by hand, an old school French Curve is great for drawing smooth curved line. for example

https://www.amazon.com/PARTH-IMPEX-Plastic-Drafting-Template/dp/B06WP8J9JL/

Do not just do tho obvious things, also mark locations of legendary events that can be used to drive players nuts "Rumored site of XXXX"

I got one of those half gloves which does wonders for keeping my sweaty hands from smudging and warping the paper. Works great. Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VTHAS00/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_0EwNAbFSM0F8H

Also a decent clipboard that I can tape the paper to and some cheap stencils because I can’t make a decent circle freehand.

the book How to Draw Fantasy Art & RPG Maps by Jared Blando has been an absolute lifesaver for me. It goes step by step through the map making process. It's a phenomenal tool and I highly recommend checking it out.

That's a pretty neat coincidence. You should read a book called Schemers and Dreamers: Filibustering in Mexico, 1848-1921, which discusses in detail various abortive attempts to carve new American-ruled republics out of northern Mexico. Filibustering in general would be worth studying if you want to do a really deep dive. William Walker, who conquered Nicaragua and ruled it for two years, might be especially interesting. There are several modern books out about him, but I haven't read any of them so I can't offer any recommendations.

Coming along nicely. I recommend skipping the sharpies and getting s few of these instead:

Sakura 30062 6-Piece Pigma Micron Ink Pen Set, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0008G8G8Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_tdoFzbDR665K5

Check out Fantasy Art & RPG Maps Book, page 68. Author recommends strong horizontal line with several vertical lines going upwards (see andrea55TP's reply). Then lightly draw in angled/curvy horizontal lines to represent the mushy stuff.

Here's a world map with accurate topography and very low-key borders.

Here's a quite nice watercolor map.

Here's a reproduction of an antique map of ocean currents and shipping routes.

Here's a map of famous flight paths around the world.

I actually never draw details with pencil, I add everything directly with ink. I use the pencil only to roughly sketch the layout of the map, then most of the details I put on the fly.

So you can use whatever pencil you prefer, but if you are curious which pencil I use, it's this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001E3GUBK

I do not mind at all, Good Sir... I prefer using the absolute FINEST of the cheapest of pens I found on Amazon.

I'm using [Pigma Micron] (http://www.amazon.com/Sakura-30062-6-Piece-Pigma-Micron/dp/B0008G8G8Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453233047&sr=8-1&keywords=pigma+micron+archival+ink) pens right now and I really like them.

Here is the mobile version of your link

I don't know if there is any pdf form, but i bought it here: https://www.amazon.com.br/How-Draw-Fantasy-Art-Maps/dp/1440340242