-
1 Attachment(s)
A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
Here is the latest map for the above named project, a bridge across a small river in a mountain pass, where an encounter with a hebi-no-onna (demon snake woman) will occur. A trap causing the middle section to fall into the river as the adventure party is trying to cross. Unseen in the map is a lost salt-water crocodile awaiting for fresh meat.
This of course combines a scanned hand-drawing given stain-glass transparency filter, then beveled and dropshadowed shapes placed beneath to give a sense of depth, and some depth in the water with varying stacked layers of transparent blue shapes.
Enjoy!
GP
Attachment 79425
-
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
I'd be interested in how you did your water treatment. Very nice.
John
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
First of all, notably I have several stacked beveled shapes above and beneath the water's surface. Of those layers 'below' the water surface, I place blue rectangles between each layers with 50 - 90% transparency applied, so you can see the layer below. With additional shapes of blue transparency above it, the transparent and ground layers beneath get darker blue. Finally at the water surface, I place a repeating bitmap image of water refraction - its basically a painted white lines on blue to emulate water.
Here's the next map for this adventure. This one is a wider perspective with a different scale applied.
Attachment 79554
-
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
Looks great Michael. Keep up the good work.
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
Thanks! This is my last needed map for the soon-to-be-published: The Gift - Curse of the Golden Spear (my first adventure of three, for my Kaidan: a Japanese Ghost Story setting)
This is the Assault on the Town of Agoya. The player characters having made a rough crossing through a dangerous mountain pass, arrives in this small forest town for some rest and recuperation, but the dangers aren't over. The antagonist a hebi-onna (snake armed woman oni - demon) has setup 3 ambushes up to this point against the adventure party. This assault on the town arranged by her, consists of a large band of bandits (nobushi) that will attack the town. Though the town features its own defenders, they are weak and the adventure party will have to lead the defense. So this is more a strategy map helping the referee know the direction the assault takes place. The numbered label locations area featured in the adventure itself, so not added to a legend here.
There will be one final attack on the party by the demon woman on the road, but no map as of it.
I have commissioned artists to create the cover design and some interior illustrations, some illustrations are mine (to save money), undoubtably, my publication will be rich with maps - its what I do best.
As always, this is a hand-drawn map onto 18" x 24" paper digitally scanned on my large format flatbed scanner in two pieces, composited and finished in Xara.
Enjoy!
Link to larger file: Assault on Agoya
Attachment 79624
-
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
I love watching the development of your maps. I've never been involved in this kind of graphics although when I played Dark Age of Camelot I created my own horse route maps :)
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
Thank you , BeretGascon! I admit that maps while fun is a very unique part of graphics, so its not as common.
Here's something more common, and not a map. I needed to create a logo for my upcoming adventure setting. I could have done it half a hundred ways, but decided to avoid beveled shapes and keep it simple. I tried it as B/W and if worked, but I preferred to add a touch of red. I think the Japanese castle, cherry blossom trees and moon has a nice touch yet still mostly lineart.
This is a 100 ppi PNG file with background transparency so it can easily be used in any layout. I have a larger 300 ppi version for pubilcation use, but only posted the thumbnail version at 100 ppi.
Thoughts?
GP
Attachment 79658
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
I commissioned artist, Jan Pospisil, to paint the inset image on this cover design. However, I did all other layout for this using Xara Xtreme. Note the subtle detail in the background (if you can even see it at this resolution), but I placed lineart of my main regional map overlaying the black background. All other text placement and necessary logos for publication is part of my page layout for this.
Note, the name on the cover is my author and lead designer, Jonathan McAnulty. However, I get plenty of credit on the title page as concept creator, cartographer, illustrator, art director, designer, developer and technical advisor.
This publication including 14 of my maps will be released sometime Feb/March 2011.
Michael
Attachment 79719
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
I thought the cover design was excellent GP. The background suited the foreground perfectly. The artist you hired did a great job, and your design work finished it off very well.
The logo is excellent too. I did have a small suggestion, regarding the sun, and I have attached a Xara file with the details.
Keep up the great work!
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
Quote:
Originally Posted by
James Allen
I thought the cover design was excellent GP. The background suited the foreground perfectly. The artist you hired did a great job, and your design work finished it off very well.
The logo is excellent too. I did have a small suggestion, regarding the sun, and I have attached a Xara file with the details.
Keep up the great work!
I appreciate the pointers and comments. Actually the co-publisher, my project designer and various patrons on the project critiquing it, I've changed the design somewhat to accomodate. (I actually prefer the original design even with your suggestions, but its gone a slightly different way - we needed to include a horror element...)
More of a sunset/moonset, broke the fung-shwei of tree size, etc.
I will probably yet remove the gradient completely from the moon/sun but its enlarged size has become mandatory to the design... the setting is called Kaidan: a Japanese Ghost Story - it is a Japan-inspired Asian horror Roleplaying Game setting. So horror was needed in the logo.
Attachment 79722
-
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
I prefer the original Kaidan, but the second has a Scooby Doo look and feel to it,which clearly means it has worked for the theme of the setting :)
-
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Gamerprinter
the setting is called Kaidan: a Japanese Ghost Story - it is a Japan-inspired Asian horror Roleplaying Game setting. So horror was needed in the logo.
Horror, yes, that changes everything. It's looking good anyway. :)
-
2 Attachment(s)
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
Regarding the book cover of "The Gift", I hope you won't mind the following observations on your layout. What I like about he existing cover design is the inset image, which is marvellous, and the brooding, spooky atmosphere. What I don't like is that it includes a panoply of competing elements including titles and information in different font styles and logos, none of which follow any kind of geometry. I assume that the size of the book is roughly A4 (in my experience many RP books are this size). So here are some points I would make, in no particular order of importance :
- The black bar under "Rite Publishing Presents" is totally unnecessary and detracts from the book title
- "Rite Publishing Presents" is far too large and is in competition with the title. In fact, is it really necessary at all? They have their logo on the page after all
- The title and subtitle drift inelegantly across the width of the inset image
- The "Kaidan:" text is too close to both the title and the head of the warrior/ghost and competes for our attention. It is complementary information that is important for those whose attention has been attracted by the impact of the book's design, but it shouldn't be part of the main focus of attention
- The background behind the inset is still too light and competes with the main image. In fact I would have been tempted to remove it altogether, but darkening it substantially is the option I have chosen
- The logos at the bottom of the page are far too large, larger in fact than the name of the author!
- The "by" in the author's name is not required
The current layout looks like an attempt to fill the available space with information which, as any good "Before & After" reader knows, is a mistake. Empty space, properly utilised, is good!
I have made a quick (probably clumsy) attempt to rectify some of those points. In the following image I have displayed the rulers, hopefully illustrating my thought processes:
Attachment 79725
and here is the before and after:
Attachment 79724
I welcome discussion on how to further improve on the design :thx
-
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
I liked the original version, but I appreciate your points beret, and your new version. I think objective constructive opinion of this kind is very useful, and makes for interesting reading. Certainly it creates an environment in which people can learn, try other methods, etc. So, well done. :)
-
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
Part of my problem is trying to accomodate the publisher's previous cover designs to fit my needs. The red Rite Publishing Presents I think is unneccesary, but exists on all current publications of the publisher. I will see if I can remove that. In many ways the design is cluttered having to accomodate so many logo requirements, etc.
The Pathfinder logo at bottom left is necessary to show compatibility with the game it was designed for, and the Rite Publishing logo on the bottom right is for the co-publisher. I will see about making those smaller. Also will see about matching the width of the various titles to match the width of the inset. I want to look professional here, while accomodating what must be accomodated.
I'm not aware of a black bar under the Rite Publishing presents - perhaps some artifact... let me update and repost.
Thanks for the comments
Michael
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
Here's an update to the cover design - followed some of the suggestions by BeretGascon, of course, I don't know if the co-publisher is willing to allow for the changes, but as an improvement it works for me.
To give you a quick background on what makes this setting a horror setting.
Kaidan is an archaic Japanese word that means 'strange discussions' or 'ghost story'.
Kaidan is the Buddhist Hells or Wheel of Life made into a cosmology. The four social castes of Kaidan society emulates four of the six realms of the Wheel of Life and all are bound to according to a karma score and a cursed reincarnation cycle. It borrows heavily from Japanese folklore and ghost stories.
Anyway, my update:
Attachment 79734
-
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
I think that is much better :thx . In the JPG you have uploaded there is still a black bar at the top underneath the top half of "The Gift" and I think the logos are still too large, but if you are constrained then you are constrained. I was interested in the meaning of the word "Kaidan", I did wonder about that - thanks for the enlightenment :).
-
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
In the 15th century, there was a game played by Samurai in August, nearing the time of the Obon Festival (Day of the Dead), called 'Hyakumonogatari Kaidan kai' which means 'a gathering of 100 ghost stories'. 100 candles would be lit in a large circle, with the 'ghost story teller' participants sitting inside. Outside the circle an audience watched. As each finished their story, they would wet their fingers and extinguish a candle. Stories tended to be short, mostly something they, their friends or an acquaintance related to them - ghost stories, encounters with mythic beasts, or the explanation of some rare occurrence. Once all candles were extinguished it was believed that a ghostly spirit would be summoned. The intent of the game was to prove the bravery in the story-tellers and not fear the visiting ghost. This game was very popular and spread through society. However at the Meiji Restoration 1868 - 1900, many traditions were abandoned in efforts to modernize Japan. An Irishman named Lafcadio Hearn went to Japan in 1898 as a journalist and fell in love with the Japanese imaterialism and other concepts that were disappearing. His efforts to translate Japanese Kaidan, gained him national recognition, he was adopted into a samurai family and renamed Koizumi Yagumo. To this day children in Japan learn of Kaidan stories as told by Koizumi Yagumo. Today, Koizumi Yagumo is synonymous with Kaidan. (I visited Koizumi Yagumo's home in Osaka, when I was 15 - I've always loved Kaidan stories...)
Inspired by this, I named my setting Kaidan. Its a D&D type of game set in a feudal Japanese-like world, but with a major emphasis toward Asian horror. There are horror settings and Japanese settings, but I'm the first to bring the two together. I'm half Japanese and a long time gamer, I've never been satisfied with various oriental settings in the game (usually designed by westerners). This is my effort to create an authentic Japanese setting, steeped in horror. From my exposure to Japan, horror is intrinsic to how they view the supernatural, which has never been previously captured. This is why I created the setting.
(I'll look for that 'black bar' and remove it if I can...)
-
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
Interesting background story, nicely told :thx
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
Been working on the mechanics for a yojimbo (samurai) class for my game setting, and got bored, so I decided I needed an illustration to accompany the class design. So here's my yojimbo practicing yabusame archery.
Enjoy!
GP
Attachment 79741
-
Re: A Bridge Crossing map done in Xara
Hi Gameprinter,
I'm extremely impressed by your maps/drawings and their very authentic feel. Keep up the great work and we hope to see much more from you along the way.
-
Re: yojimbo practicing yabusame archery
Very nicely done illustration. Keep them coming, they're a joy to regard
-
Re: yojimbo practicing yabusame archery
Well I'm glad my work pleases you. Despite my sporadic postings (based on my RL schedule) and my very low post count, at least 95% of my posts include art, so I feel myself an adequate contributor to TalkGraphics. I don't usually comment outside this thread, since I am using an older version of Xara - I feel my comments might be outdated and thus not offer the best help for questions posted by other Xara users. But I will definitely continue to post, and create more maps and illustrations for your perusal as they become available.
I know that what I create using Xara is not what most use the application for, but in my experience, it really isn't the software, as much as the artist as to what can or cannot be created. I'm much more a traditional artist than a digital one, but Xara is my go to application for bringing a hybrid of the two. I tend to work very fast as an illustrator/cartographer and know that only Xara can match my speed best.
I'm pleased that you're pleased.
-
1 Attachment(s)
In the Company of Kappa - cover design
One of the side released products that will be associated with my Kaidan adventure is a racial book with new class mechanics for the Kappa (the turtle shelled yokai monster.) Mark Hyzer is my pencil work illustrator who is creating all my monster designs. Since the work is in pencil, my co-publisher suggested I create a cover design in B/W, as that seems to best match the illustration.
I wanted to give it a distinctly Japanese look, so I used a floral pattern (repeated) of an origami paper design. The pattern at the top and bottom are vector created symbols done in Xara, following the design of another origami paper swatch I found online.
Plus this is the first time I get to use my logo design, albeight in B/W only.
What do you think?
Michael
Attachment 79850
Link to larger file: Kappa book cover design
-
Re: In the Company of Kappa - cover design
I've been checking out this thread, using Xara for RPG maps is very cool and I really like some of your maps.
Personally I've worked with NBOS software and worked on all of the titles there (exclusively RPG creation software: Fractal Mapper, Astrosynthesis, The Keep Campaign Manager, and Screenmonkey...).
I'm very tempted to do more of this sort of thing using Xara as well. Thanks for sharing your examples.
~Richard~~
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: In the Company of Kappa - cover design
I've got NBOS Fractal Mapper, Profantasy Campaign Cartographer - both mostly so I can print customer native map files in large format. My daytime job is running my own graphic arts/digital printing shop. I also run Gamer Printshop (hence my forum name) which is an RPG Map POD shop for gamers. So I'm familiar with FM, though I mostly use Xara of course.
Here's a full color version of the above posted "In the Company of Kappa" cover design. I thought the Rite Publishing logo disappeared into the background. Plus I used a Xara map technique to place the illustration onto a parchment background (giving the illustration the stain-glass transparency filter) which puts some color in the art, so I could try to do the full design in color...
Thoughts?
Michael
Attachment 79858
-
Re: In the Company of Kappa - cover design
Hi GP,
I tend to agree the colour cover brings out the logos much better. I'm not crazy about the rectangle behind the 'monster' but I don't know how I would change it...again, that's probably just me anyway....overall a very nice design....
-
Re: In the Company of Kappa - cover design
My intentions is that the art itself is a wall hanging and the background is a wall panel shogi screen in style. I may have found better Japanese textile pattern for the backgrounds though, one being painted bamboo symbols to better emulate the homeland of the kappa as lakes, rivers and marshes. Still its close to a final design. I just found out that this book is being released Feb 22nd, this month!
Plus regarding my adventure cover design, the print publishing partner (Cubicle 7) of my co-publisher is printing a hard cover book in June to be released in August 2011, and I'll be using my original second adventure cover art. Once I have that designed for the final total adventure I'll post it here. Each of three adventures is 56 page long, thus 168 pages total for the full book and it will be fully illustrated and include my cartography. I am greatly looking forward to holding a hard cover book in my hands! They will be distributed to game stores across the US. If I meet the page count format, I get a discount per book printed for a better profit overall, or a cheaper cover price.
-
2 Attachment(s)
Re: In the Company of Kappa - cover design
Let's try this again. I tried to fix the rectangle behind the kappa into a defined shape. I changed the floral background to bamboo, but I'm still not pleased by it, though better.
Here's the update:
Attachment 79901
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: In the Company of Kappa - cover design
I needed a half page illustration for a Yurei ghost of an Innkeeper's Wife, for my adventure - since I'm doing layout. Of course I lack the budget and the time to commission a proper illustration, so I whipped up a pencil illustration, actually drawing the hand/arms separately from the main drawing - I was drawing each at a size on too small of paper, so I composited three separate illustrations, then applied some linear transparencies.
Simple, but does the trick I think. If her right arm seems disjointed, its still works, she's a ghost so she not all there...
Attachment 79940
-
Re: In the Company of Kappa - cover design
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Gamerprinter
If her right arm seems disjointed, its still works, she's a ghost so she not all there...
Reminds me of my ex-mother-in-law.
-
Re: In the Company of Kappa - cover design
Looks really good. I would get rid of the right arm altogether, though (as if her arm is lowered and out of frame).
-- Ben
-
Re: In the Company of Kappa - cover design
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ad1066
Looks really good. I would get rid of the right arm altogether, though (as if her arm is lowered and out of frame).
-- Ben
The thought occurred to me, and I may yet change it - the release of this publication is at least 2 weeks away, and I do the page layout, so I have time to make the change if necessary. I'm awaiting any potential complaints by my co-publisher and the patrons involved in my patronage project. I liked having her arm reaching out to the viewer, but it is a bit high for the pose.
GP
-
Re: In the Company of Kappa - cover design
hand looks a bit disassociated in the thumbnail - but looks fine full size where you can see the sleeve properly
'whipped up' is a bit unfair I think, unless there is a metaphysical reference, it being a ghost... :D - I really like it
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: In the Company of Kappa - cover design
I've been struggling over the last few days trying to come up with an illustration of a Yakuza Kyodai (big brother) for my adventure, and as an additional illustration for my upcoming Yakuza of Kaidan book (I say book, more like a 30 page PDF).
Part of the problem is trying to show the yakuza horimono (full body) tattoo in an appropriate and effective way.
I finally came up with a design I could tolerate, something akin to my Yojimbo illustration.
Attachment 79986
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Fantasy maps created using Xara Xtreme
Here's the main map for the scond adventure, The Curse of the Golden Spear: Part 2 - Dim Spirit for Kaidan: a Japanese Ghost Story setting (Pathfinder RPG).
This is a map of eastern Yonshu Island, the province of Oniba. Notice the concentric circles based on the castletown of Tsue-jo. The Gift (name of the 1st adventure) is a cursed magic item being delivered to Lord Hachiwara of Tsue-jo. However since the adventurers were carrying the Golden Spear, the curse now affects them - they lose Constitution score based on proximity and distance from the spear head itself. The further they travel away, the more serious their dilema becomes. They aren't aware of the curse, just that something is affecting their health. Once they reach the village of Kitsumura (middle left side of map) they are told of the problem and how to cure it - which is the basis on the third and final adventure (they have to steal it back and destroy it.)
This of course is hand-drawn, digitally scanned then composited, colored and beveled, with lines and labels added last in Xara Xtreme Pro 4.
Enjoy!
Attachment 80009
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Fantasy maps created using Xara Xtreme
Oh, and normally I prefer to create 'top down' mountains, rather than a 'perspective view', but the adventurers (player characters) won't be going into the mountains for adventure 2 - their health suffering couldn't take it, so I opted to create Hiroshige styled mountains to add a more distinctive Japanese flavor to the overall map, which otherwise just a terrain map.(Hiroshige was a Ukiyo-e print landscape artist, taught by Hokusai.)
Note the yellow area next to the forest at bottom center is a marshland. Its on the larger map, so I had to include it.
I probably have this map further upthread, or at least one of the text links in the first post, but I'll post a thumbnail here, so you can be directed to how the above map represents a section of the larger map.
Attachment 80015
And a link to the larger version on my site: Yonshu Island, Kaidan
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Fantasy maps created using Xara Xtreme
Next map: the Spring Shrine serving a local water kami spirit that dwells within a cave, the source of the spring which feeds a creek. The local henge (animal shapechanger) village of Kitsumura worships at this spring shrine. An ushi-onni or bull demon has infiltrated into the shrine leaving a toxic stone as a demented offering in hopes to drive the kami spirit mad by poisoning its sacred waters and to wreak havoc onto the local village downstream.
The adventurers are asked to cleanse the shrine of the evil being and save their faith, or the henge won't help the PCs with their curse.
Hand-drawn, scanned, then beveled shapes, drop shadows, shading, grid and labels composited in Xara Xtreme Pro 4.
Enjoy!
GP
Attachment 80052
Link to larger version: Spring Shrine Map
-
Re: Fantasy maps created using Xara Xtreme
I just love those maps :)
Keep 'em coming!
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Fantasy maps created using Xara Xtreme
Appreciated, BG!
This too is an older map for the first adventure: The Gift (Kaidan), but it shows my top-down mountains I generally use in my maps. This is Daitengu Pass, as it crosses the central highlands of Yonshu Island (the same mountains seen in perspective view on that Eastern Yonshu map above.)
Link to larger version: Daitengu Pass
Attachment 80067