Talk:Ranik Maps

Fonts used?

Copied from Category_talk:Map_Errors because I think the discussion will be more visible here: --Farman 18:35, 17 July 2007 (CDT)

Anyone know what font is used on the maps?
Glimmereyes 13:58, 17 July 2007 (CDT)

Good question, I have also been curious what graphics program people are using to create the maps in the first place.

This discussion might be more prominently seen in Talk:Ranik_Maps so I'm going to copy it there. --Farman 18:32, 17 July 2007 (CDT)

I've been using MS Paint for my editing. Creating a map from scratch would be rough, but doable with enough patience. PhotoShop/Paintshop should be easier, but I have no real experience with either program. -Glimmereyes 22:04, 17 July 2007 (CDT)

If you use zmud and can afford the subscription price ($30 or so, every two years as determined by major release versions (that is, if an upgrade doesn't take you from 1.x to 2.x you don't pay until you make that upgrade), ZMapper might be an option. It's set up as a table-top mapper utility as a direct competitor to Campaign Cartographer and its underling clones, but it also allows you to include room info so that the map works with ZMud (speedwalking and scripting). It's a real pain and a lot of work to use most of the more-advanced features, but for simple map creation like you would do so in Paint it's a piece of cake.

The only drawback to the program is that it basically failed to grab much market share and Zugg had to pretty much abandon it as a separately maintained product (it's going to be folded into CMud Pro).--Symphaena 16:36, 18 July 2007 (CDT)

Not sure what's being used for Creature names, but Ranik's seems to be using Times New Roman. Brablo's seems to use Ariel.
-Glimmereyes 12:28, 19 July 2007 (CDT)

If you purchase a separate program, I'd recommend Geneie3, it has an automapper built in, and it's designed specifically for Dragonrealms, might work a little better. Just a recommendation if a purchase is going to be made anyways. --Celeres 05:43, 18 February 2009 (UTC)

Timeline

I didn't want to just edit the front page of Ranik's maps there, but the summary on the cartorgraphers has always been a bit off and I thought I would post what I feel is a more detailed timeline of the DR mapmakers here. If one of the more active users feels it is approprite, please do update the main page. It's here though for discussion! - Kythryn

• Salius was the first person to publish maps for DR. These would have started being used possibly as early as late 1995 (he was a Trailblazer), with wide-spread use by late 1996/early 1997.

• Upon announcement that Salius was retiring, 3 mapmakers stepped forward with comprehensive sets of maps, although none were directly connected with Salius: Sablina, Phaedra and Kythryn. Phaedra’s maps followed the closest in style to Salius, while Sablina added color and artwork to hers, and Kythryn compressed the maps and added life mana and foraging information to hers. All three of these mapmakers began publishing and circulating maps via web sites in late 1997/1998.

• Also during the 1997/98 era, a number of specialized mappers emerged and published via web sites. A few can still be seen today although are not being added to:

- Osirian’s House of Maps – City focused maps: http://hometown.aol.com/osirianowr/index.html?f=fs

- Taffei’s Journal – Specific towns, areas and buildings: http://taffeisjournal.com/Maps.html

• Phaedra completed a full set of maps for the original 3 proviences and Qi’Reshalia before retireing. An archive of her maps can still be found here: http://web.archive.org/web/20051128221230/http://mcclaintech.com/lorehaven/dr145.html

• Kythryn has continued to publish maps (2007) that add 'active' room items, as well as the life mana and foragable items in the room. These are widely used by Rangers and Empaths. Kythryn is the oldest active single mapmaker in DR. She also contributes the foraging information she gathers to the Foraging Database that can be found on Olwydd’s site here: http://www.olwydd.org/herbs/forage.php

• When she retired, the Warrior Mage Ranik continued on Sablina's work, building off her existing style, and expanded the range of those maps as areas were added to the realms. Upon Ranik’s retirement, Brablo, Aetherie, Xaphira and Vanara have also done some mapping continuing on with Sablina’s style. The Forfedhdar maps are some they have done. The Sablina line of maps is the longest running published set in DR, and should be commended for the timely updates they have provided throughout the years!

• As of 2007, there are also some emerging mappakers with their own focus.

- Wheller has created various mana maps.

- Aveda's Field Guide contains Forfedhdar hunting ground maps: http://dr.aveda.googlepages.com/p5maps

- Wyrblade has mapped out all the horse stables: http://www.wyrblade.net/Xoops/modules/wfsection/viewarticles.php?category=8

New Maps?

I have a map of cave bears, how exactly should I submit it? It isn't in the style of ranik's maps because I was too lazy to copy it, but I think it would be useful to have here. Also, last time I tried to upload the file I could not.

costs

perhaps listing ferry costs and other tolls would be a good thing as well --Legeres 17:32, 31 May 2008 (CDT)