9 Map-making Software for Fantasy Cartographers
If you have played TTRPGs or read fantasy books or watched fantasy movies/TV shows on screen, you would have seen a lot of maps and might have wondered how they are made. Now, while I will be doing a video series on how I make maps using different software, in this article I will be covering the different software that can be used for making maps.
Do note, however, that a lot of talented artists and cartographers do draw their maps with their own hands. Quite a talented bunch, I tell you! I, however, use quite a bunch of software to accomplish what I want.
Without further ado, let us get on with the different software one can use to make maps. I will be starting with the easiest software and will be ending with the most complicated learning curves.
- Wonderdraft
Wonderdraft is a software developed by Megasploot. This software is quite easy to master and is known for giving its maps a classic fantasy feel. The learning curve is pretty much minimal, and anybody could draw maps without the need of knowhow of graphic design. The software pretty much handles all the underlining layer work. The only thing that you need to do is imagine and creatively develop your world. The software, however, is only really ever good for overland and region maps. It can be used to some extent to develop cities, towns, and villages, but it is pretty restrictive. It cannot be used to develop interior, battle or dungeon maps. Also, while Wonderdraft does provide a number of assets(stamps) for use in maps, it is also not quite extensive in nature. Although, third party assets and textures could be downloaded from the Internet. Use of Mythkeeper, a software, can be quite useful in automatically installing these downloaded add-ons to the software. Again, it is not difficult at all.
Wonderdraft is also quite affordable to purchase, and it is a one-time charge. All updates are free for lifetime, though updates are rare in coming. Still, a handy and powerful software to have at such a cheap price!
You can get the software at https://www.wonderdraft.net
2. Dungeondraft
Did I just mention that Wonderdraft fails to provide solutions for mapping dungeons and battle maps? Well, where Wonderdraft fails, Dungeondraft, a sister software developed by the same developer, succeeds. Dungeondraft, as the name suggests, operates in the same manner as Wonderdraft and is also affordable. It also has a lot of inbuilt assets, but third party assets can be procured easily over the Internet. Forgotten Adventures is a popular website for getting assets for Dungeondraft. There are a lot of free/paid assets available you can use. And their developers keep coming up with new ones every now and then. So, awesome, right?
You can get Dungeondraft at https://www.dungeondraft.net
3. Inkarnate
To be honest, I have used Inkarnate a lot and I might have gotten better at it over time. It is a pretty much an easy software to use, but I warn you: it is browser-based. There’s no desktop version.
I have used Inkarnate to develop overland maps, city maps (in both regional and top-down approach), battle and dungeon maps. Yes, unlike Wonderdraft, Inkarnate can do a lot more things. It has a lot more assets and textures to use. And the maps produced as an end result are amazing. But which one should I choose? Inkarnate or Wonderdraft. Now, that’s the next part of mapmaking blog series. For now, I am not choosing anything. Wonderdraft has its pros. Inkarnate has its own. I chose Inkarnate to develop most of my maps because of the sheer number of ever upgrading asset lists.
When I wish to do more detailed region maps or city or perspective maps, I choose Inkarnate. World maps are better done using Wonderdraft, unless you’re yearning for a wide variety of asset stamps and textures, in which case Inkarnate leaps forward.
Inkarnate has a free edition as well, but the pro edition offers you more variety. However, because of its online nature, the software is a SaaS. Meaning, it is subscription based. If you monthly, it will cost you some, but a yearly subscription is quite affordable.
You can find Inkarnate at https://www.inkarnate.com
Inkarnate is also easy-to-use and learn. It is pretty much on the same level as Wonderdraft. The only thing you bring to the table is creativity. The software handles the rest.
4. Dungeon Fog
Dungeon Fog is an online alternative to Dungeondraft. It can be made to develop maps specifically for TTRPG. It has similar features to Dungeondraft. I couldn’t say which is better. I have only ever used Dungeondraft. But I would suggest trying the free version out (limited features) before trying it out its paid versions, which are also affordable.
You can find Dungeon Fog at https://www.dungeonfog.com
You can find more alternatives to Dungeondraft and DungeonFog like Dungeon Painter Studio, Dundjinni, MapForge, AutoRealm, etc.
5. Affinity Photo / Adobe Photoshop / GIMP
Affinity Photo, Adobe Photoshop and GIMP are raster-based graphic design suites that are used for a variety of purposes like digital painting, photo manipulation etc. They are not specifically designed for mapmaking like the software mentioned previously. However, they are quite capable and powerful to illustrate maps. I have recently started using Affinity Photo to develop maps. If you are good with Photoshop, you can do it too. I chose Affinity Photo because it is quite cheaper and has all the features I need. Photoshop is a SaaS and it is expensive as hell, though no doubt powerful. GIMP is a free open-source alternative, but I find its UI a little outdated.
Hence, I chose Affinity Photo, which is one of the best alternatives to Photoshop there is. Remember there is Corel software products too which can achieve the same result, but I have no experience using it.
Affinity Photo is a powerful graphics design suite, which can be used to make maps. It has a strong learning curve, like all other graphic design suits, but if you already know Photoshop, Affinity Photo is similar and will feel like a breeze. For me, though, there was a learning curve. And I’m still learning.
Unlike specific mapmaking software like Inkarnate or Wonderdraft, I don’t get mapmaking tools in Affinity (applies to Photoshop and GIMP too). We will have to depend on assets and brushes by third parties. You can get both free and paid ones from the Internet. I have been using Josh Stolarz’s Map Effects, but I do have access to other cartography brushes I downloaded from K M Alexander.
Affinity Photo is also easy on the wallet. And version 2 has come out right now. There’s a 40% sale until Jan 25. However, I am using Version 1. It has all the features I need.
Trust Affinity because it is a Serif product. It’s really good. And I feel its UI is much better than Adobe Photoshop, but the latter definitely has more features than Affinity. But Affinity comes as close as it can get.
Get Affinity Photo at https://affinity.serif.com/
6. Affinity Designer / Adobe Illustrator
Both these software can be used to illustrate maps. Both of these are vector-based software. So, obviously, much better than raster-based in some aspects. Both have a strong learning curve.
Affinity is easier on the wallet. Version 2 has come out right now, but I am sticking to 1. It has all the features I need.
Get Affinity Designer at https://affinity.serif.com/
7. Inkscape
Inkscape is much similar to Affinity Designer and can also be used to design maps. It has got all the features that Affinity has, but it is good in some aspects more so than others, especially line art. Also, easier to use, and it is FREE. Inkscape allows you to work with both vector and raster images. We will compare Affinity Designer and Inkscape soon. It will definitely come up in a blog post down the line, so keep a watch for it.
You can get Inkscape at: https://www.inkscape.org/
8. Clip Art Studio / Procreate
Clip Art Studio is more or less used to create comics, general illustration, and 2D artwork. But we can also use it to create maps. Like with Affinity series, we have to download brushes and assets from third party providers. If you know how to use Affinity or Photoshop, it will be easier to use this. If not, this does have a difficult learning curve. It also comes with a 3D modeler through which you can make models you can use in the Paint version of the software.
You can get Clip Studio Paint at: https://www.clipstudio.net/
Procreate, on the other hand, is a powerful graphic design suite, but it is only available for Apple users. Only for iPad and Mac. Apple users have vouched for this software.
You can get Procreate at https://www.procreate.com/
It is a powerful raster graphic designing software for digital painting, but can also be used for making maps.
There are other alternatives you can use like Sketchbook (comes close to Procreate in functionalities), ArtRage, PaintTool SAI, Krita (I have heard very good things about Krita), Painter, etc. You can also use Concepts (for sketching and doodling).
9. Campaign Cartographer 3+
Campaign Cartographer 3+ is a CAD-like map designing tool. It is vector-based and has a difficult learning curve that needs focus and determination. However, once you’re able to master it, one can design maps easily. It is a specific mapmaking software developed by Profantasy. It’s UI however is old and antiquated, making it difficult to use. The engine however is very powerful. The end result comes out very good. While the base product of CC3+ helps you draw overland and regional maps, its add-ons City Designer, Perspective Designer, Dungeon Designer, etc help you draw cities, give perspectives, make dungeons etc. It is expensive. It is worth it if you need a specific mapmaking software that uses vectors. If you’re familiar with AutoCAD, then CC3+ will not be difficult to use. This software has been used by cartographers for a long time now and will continue to be in use. I only wish they could better their interface.
You can get the software at: https://www.profantasy.com/
I am definitely hoping this list is exhaustive enough. Very soon, I will be doing extensive reviews of some of these products. And some comparisons. So, do keep an eye out for those.
