What do you use to create your subsector maps?

[tim_manley]

I just started trying to use Visio (get it free from work).

But I'm curious what y'all use, I may switch, visio is irritating me....

I've used Zhodani Base a lot, and like what it does. But it's too random for the campaign I'm creating, I'm not getting the specific parts I want.

I also have Heaven & Earth (ver 1.0.4) but it's not giving me exactly what I want this time.

So, I figured I'd just make what I want and thought... what to use... what to use... hey, Visio!

I've created deckplans in Visio and have these templates but haven't found any for subsector/sector maps.

So, what do you guys use?

 

[Golan2072]

I use Paint.NET, which is free. HERE is an example of a map I made with it.

 

[fridge]

http://www.travellermap.com/poster.html

 

[tim_manley]

http://www.travellermap.com/poster.html

That is AWESOME! Thank you!

I did not know that existed.

 

[tim_manley]

I use Paint.NET, which is free. HERE is an example of a map I made with it.

Wow! You did this map entirely by hand?

 

[Bob Weaver]

I've been using Astrogator, created by Tom Bont in 2003 or so. You can find it here. You can see samples of it on my blog, here. Astrogator can create, modify and export subsector or sector maps. The default 'file' is a completely blank map on the scale of the Imperium and you select the sectors and subsectors you want to 'fill in'. The zip file I got (way back when) included pregenerated maps of the Imperium in 1105 and 1120.
I have had a few quibbles with it, and I can't find out where Mr. Bont went to ask him about it. So there is no support, and no updates. Given what I paid for it (nothing) it has been enormously worth the money.

 

[Timerover51]

I am very old-fashioned, archaic even. I still use paper maps.

 

[Carlobrand]

I am very old-fashioned, archaic even. I still use paper maps.

Which means you've still got them when the hard drive crashes.

 

[SpaceBadger]

I am very old-fashioned, archaic even. I still use paper maps.

Which means you've still got them when the hard drive crashes.

... and through the passage of years, with multiple changes of computer and operating system and software. I still have (on paper) a set of four sectors that I made in college (about 1984, I think), on my C-64, with a program that I wrote in BASIC. I then went through the pages of program-generated systems and made sector and subsector maps. Still have those maps and associated system data, each sector in its own three-punch paper folder.

(Violated the heck out of the MOARN rule, BTW. Used a small corner of one sector in one short campaign; otherwise I've stuck mostly to the OTU.)

 

[BlackBat242]

I am very old-fashioned, archaic even. I still use paper maps.

Which means you've still got them when the hard drive crashes.

... and through the passage of years, with multiple changes of computer and operating system and software. I still have (on paper) a set of four sectors that I made in college (about 1984, I think), on my C-64, with a program that I wrote in BASIC. I then went through the pages of program-generated systems and made sector and subsector maps. Still have those maps and associated system data, each sector in its own three-punch paper folder.

(Violated the heck out of the MOARN rule, BTW. Used a small corner of one sector in one short campaign; otherwise I've stuck mostly to the OTU.)

For sectors I use photocopies of the blank map in the back of The Atlas of the Imperium (the paper version published in 1984), and for subsectors I use photocopies of the forms in Supplement 12: Forms and Charts. I enter the data with pen/colored pencil.

Yes, no computer involved - not even for system/world generation... for those I use dice and Book 6 Scouts (yes, I use CT exclusively).


And just what is "the MOARN rule"? I've never heard of it before.

 

[SpaceBadger]

And just what is "the MOARN rule"? I've never heard of it before.

Map Only As Really Necessary. Recommended rule for GMs not to drive themselves crazy with OCD mapping of everything, including stuff their players will never see.

I personally like to have The Big Picture of what is going on far beyond the current area of play, with more detail the closer it gets to the current area of play, so as not to be totally lost when players choose to go somewhere unexpected. But I try to keep this rule in mind to reign in my own OCD tendencies to want to know everything down to every fractal bit of coastline.

 

[aramis]

I usually use tables in a Word Processor for doing my maps. When I want something nicer, I use CC2.

 

[Golan2072]

Wow! You did this map entirely by hand?

Actually this is pretty simple once you have the numbered hex grid ready (which is a bit of work) and prepare the icons (much less work). Then you use layers so that you can move icons freely over the grid.