Map concept art?

phantom26

L1: Registered
Nov 8, 2012
19
2
So I was wondering, does anyone here actually like to draw out your maps before making them? If so what programs do you use if any to make em.
 

Micnax

Back from the dead (again)
aa
Apr 25, 2009
2,109
1,585
Drawing out on paper with a pencil always works for me :)

Example:
Cxt32.jpg


You could also try Google SketchUp.
 

phantom26

L1: Registered
Nov 8, 2012
19
2
Drawing out on paper with a pencil always works for me :)

Example:
Cxt32.jpg


You could also try Google SketchUp.

Thanks for the suggestion never thought about using google sketchup. I have a mappers block atm and can't decided what i want to make. Currently trying to decide how to go about using my ipad for making a concept.
 
T

The Asylum

I post my concept art on the reg around here, usually when I want to show off what I'm doing but don't have access to Hammer
 

Fantaboi

Gone and one day forgotten
aa
Mar 11, 2013
892
1,050
wQVS4Ld.jpg

here is my 10/10 Concept art for koth_swamplands.
It's ok to be jelous.
 
Mar 23, 2010
1,872
1,696
rough mspaint + headimages
 

mint onion

L3: Member
Jul 18, 2013
101
45
using photoshop, i had tried starting with concepts for one map but had lost interest in making it.

i sketched out a payload bridge arrangement that had come to mind:
pl_sh_blusky01.png


i tried blocking it out but floundered once i built past the planned areas.
pl_sh_planning01.png


here i drew out props i wanted to make, on separate layers, so i could build concepts with them but, ran out of steam:
pl_sh_farm_concept01.png


i named my latest map strain, based on the approach i used to define its layout.

i first generated a list of basic layout possibilities, using dots as rooms and lines as routes:
3cp_layout_simplification.jpg


then applied rules i made up to eliminate layouts from the list.

rooms with more than 4 routes were scratched:
3cp_layout_simplification_4path_max_rule.jpg


layouts that cannot be solved using only flank routes are removed:
3cp_layout_simplification_flankpath_connections.jpg


applying all the rules left me with a couple of options:
3cp_layout_simplification_allrules.jpg


i ended up picking one that had been eliminated but, it was one step removed from the more interesting of the two that had remained.

taking it, i toyed with the arrangement using another abstraction:
3cp_layout_simplexity.jpg


i picked one of those and decided to run with it and create a more traditional map layout.

using the brush and grids can yield clean lines that can be drawn out quickly. i wasn't paying attention, so it did create a boxy layout. lesson learned.
cp_strain_layout.jpg


the grid allowed me to build its layout 1-to-1 exactly. having gone through this approach, i have a reference point for how big space are versus in game and can use that when planning a layout. i think the more i use this approach the more familiar this relationship will become.
strain_layout_vs_map_compare.png
 
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YM

LVL100 YM
aa
Dec 5, 2007
7,135
6,056
I use a convoluted technique which borrows heavily, but not exclusively, from the dark arts of tasseomancy and masturbation
 

Teddy Schnapps

L2: Junior Member
Feb 5, 2014
51
22
This is some very early concept art for my current map.
Map: The map is a pay load map based in Northern Territory of Australia and has a portion that involves going through a crop field (maize) and an underground bunker at final cap.
Description: Is a crudely draw side view from a distance of a bunch of industry buildings with a mountain formation in the background dwarfing the savanna land scape and the sun setting in the distance.
http://gyazo.com/78e4b22558613947f42007fe7a66a5ab
Then I have some other drawings I made a while back to visualize how the scenes will look.
http://puu.sh/7wTMk
http://gyazo.com/fbd8ba41803100c0342ea0060cdc4802
7wTJj

I also have this really old view of how Maize Valley will look in this pic. Green represents the corn crops. These are top views btw.
7wTQ3

And this was my last finalized drawing before starting the map. The blue "X" represent Blue spawn and red "X" means red spawn. It's not labeled but I will have an underground chamber for the final stage.
7wTTO


Note: I changed a lot on these drawings so it will not look perfectly like this pic.
 
Last edited:
Apr 14, 2013
663
343
I use paper for planning, and sometimes I draw the plans using paint (the program), because it's easy to use, and because sometimes it can be much clearer than a pencil draw, espacialy if you don't yet know for sure what the layout will be.
here's cp_grain_a1 2nd stage planning, from 8-9 months ago:

cp_harvestp22_zpscb204fcf.png


And this is what will probably end up as a new 3,1, for cp_grain too (drew this 3 days ago)

31_zpsda92c1cf.png