Looking for good quality blank maps for upcoming campaign ..

Dave

Distinguished
Jun 25, 2003
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Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.gurps (More info?)

Right,

I just bought my copy of Infinate Worlds, and quickly noticed a desicive
lack of maps - even the ones from both Alternate Earth books. Now I'm not
complaining about the lack of maps, as I know that that would have
contributed to both the size and cost of the book. Instead, I'm asking if
there are any of the maps out there on the net for someone like myself to
download - or even the blank templates they were derived from.

The problem I've had with most maps archives I've found online is that there
are often one or more problems of:

-Garish colours that foul up the palate when I'm cleaning the maps up. (I
use MS Paint, as I can't find a paint program that is simplistic, easy to
use, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.)
-Thick borders, resulting in a hit-or-miss approach to trying to get the
lines right while cleaning it up.
-Large copyright watermarks that have to be cleaned up - and which, in at
least one case, cbscure the borders so as to make it even more hit-or-miss
in trying to recreate them accurately.

I do have maps of both USA and North America that I've painstakingly cleaned
up, but if I can find something better looking I'll take it. I do have a
world map, but it is small, and when I try to get in close for fine detail
work it becomes all pixilated.

I'm now looking for a good world map, as well as Europe and East Asia
(Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam, Siberia, etc.).

I'm toying with five different ideas, either for actual campains or as
settings for modules for upcoming local gaming conventions:

-Dixie - either as presented in the book (although the turning point is a
bit convoluted) or as presented in the series of AH novels by Harry
Turtledove (who's premise is a lot more simple and plausable).
-Reich - as laid out in the book Fatherland (and yes, the book is much
better then the TV movie) as opposed to what is laid out in Infinate Worlds.
(Mind you, the 3e World War II books, suplemented by the 4e High-Tech book
when it comes out, will be a reletive goldmine of resources - which means
that I'll have to get cracking and register for e23 to get some of the other
e-suplements as they come out if I decide to go this route.)
-A modern fantasy setting, which may or may not be partially based on
Merlin/Technomancer. (This is why I'd need a European map, to overlay the
main Elvish and Dwarvish kingdoms/enclaves.)

Any and all help and advice would be appreciated.

Dave
 
Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.gurps (More info?)

*lol* been looking for the same myself for modern/future games. I have
ran into the problems you have mentioned (had to snip them to save space for
other readers).

Some ideas that I have that might help (still going to have to search
like a MoFo on the net though). The best idea so far has been trying to find
educational web sites/books. Ya'll might need to go in and edit them
slightly (white out the country lines or such). The educational places tend
to have better black and white maps.
It's been a while since I was at the book store at the mall but I think
I remember seeing a nice little kid's atlas... If it wouldn't ruin an old
book I have (ah heck is like 2000 pages, stamp book) it has a bunch of black
and white maps from back in the 1930's.

"Dave" <dgreenlaw_no_spam@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:qvSdnd2ymKjJq6_fRVn-pA@rogers.com...
> Right,
>
> I just bought my copy of Infinate Worlds, and quickly noticed a desicive
> lack of maps - even the ones from both Alternate Earth books. Now I'm not
> complaining about the lack of maps, as I know that that would have
> contributed to both the size and cost of the book. Instead, I'm asking if
> there are any of the maps out there on the net for someone like myself to
> download - or even the blank templates they were derived from.
>
> The problem I've had with most maps archives I've found online is that
there
> are often one or more problems of:
<<snip>>
> Any and all help and advice would be appreciated.
>
> Dave
>
>
 
Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.gurps (More info?)

Depending on your definition of expensive, I'd suggest Paint Shop Pro for
editing images. It's $70 or $80. I've been using it professionally for 14
years now, and it does a fine job of editing images. It'd be a HUGE step up
from Paint.

As for maps, a number of museums and libraries have web sites that feature
maps. I know that the University of Texas library has such a site at
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/
 
Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.gurps (More info?)

"Sam Spade" wrote:
> Depending on your definition of expensive, I'd suggest Paint Shop Pro for
> editing images. It's $70 or $80. I've been using it professionally for 14
> years now, and it does a fine job of editing images. It'd be a HUGE step
> up
> from Paint.
>
Well, that's a decet price. However, is that for a web site download? See,
I also have to deal with no cc, so that means instant downloads from pay
sites is a no-go for me.

The other problem I have is I'm Canadian. So more then likely, that price
quoted above is in USD, and thus I'll have to add 40-50% to the price.

> As for maps, a number of museums and libraries have web sites that feature
> maps. I know that the University of Texas library has such a site at
> http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/
>
>
Thanks. I just took a quick look there and already found a few excelent
maps for what I need. (Especially the one of N. America, not only with US
states but Canadian provinces and Mexican states - since in the Turtledove
AH we have an independant Quebec and the Confederacy bought two Mexican
states in 1880.)

Dave
 
Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.gurps (More info?)

On Sat, 12 Mar 2005 02:44:47 -0500, "Dave"
<dgreenlaw_no_spam@rogers.com> wrote:

>"Sam Spade" wrote:
>> Depending on your definition of expensive, I'd suggest Paint Shop Pro for
>> editing images. It's $70 or $80. I've been using it professionally for 14
>> years now, and it does a fine job of editing images. It'd be a HUGE step
>> up
>> from Paint.
>>
>Well, that's a decet price. However, is that for a web site download? See,
>I also have to deal with no cc, so that means instant downloads from pay
>sites is a no-go for me.
>
>The other problem I have is I'm Canadian. So more then likely, that price
>quoted above is in USD, and thus I'll have to add 40-50% to the price.

Actually, PSP is now a Corel product. It's also $US 129...
<http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Corel3/Products/Display&pfid=1047024307383&pid=1047023911984>


There are a few freeware equivalents to Paint Shop / Photoshop, though.
<http://pricelesswarehome.org/2005/PL2005GRAPHICS.php#Editor😛hoto-Paint>


>> As for maps, a number of museums and libraries have web sites that feature
>> maps. I know that the University of Texas library has such a site at
>> http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/
>>
>>
>Thanks. I just took a quick look there and already found a few excelent
>maps for what I need. (Especially the one of N. America, not only with US
>states but Canadian provinces and Mexican states - since in the Turtledove
>AH we have an independant Quebec and the Confederacy bought two Mexican
>states in 1880.)

Where did you find these? I could use some alternate-Ottawa-area maps
in a campaign I've got in the planning stages...

>Dave

--
Rob Kelk <http://robkelk.ottawa-anime.org/> robkelk -at- gmail -dot- com
"I'm *not* a kid! Nyyyeaaah!" - Skuld (in "Oh My Goddess!" OAV #3)
"When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of
childishness and the desire to be very grown-up." - C.S. Lewis, 1947
 
Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.gurps (More info?)

Dave wrote:
> Right,
>
> I just bought my copy of Infinate Worlds, and quickly noticed a desicive
> lack of maps - even the ones from both Alternate Earth books. Now I'm not
> complaining about the lack of maps, as I know that that would have
> contributed to both the size and cost of the book. Instead, I'm asking if
> there are any of the maps out there on the net for someone like myself to
> download - or even the blank templates they were derived from.
> <snip>
>
>
Try http://www.eduplace.com/ss/maps/
Ken
 
Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.gurps (More info?)

"Dave" <dgreenlaw_no_spam@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:676dnVQQ0JRzAK_fRVn-iQ@rogers.com...
>
> "Sam Spade" wrote:
>> Depending on your definition of expensive, I'd suggest Paint Shop Pro for
>> editing images. It's $70 or $80. I've been using it professionally for 14
>> years now, and it does a fine job of editing images. It'd be a HUGE step
>> up
>> from Paint.
>>
> Well, that's a decet price. However, is that for a web site download?
> See, I also have to deal with no cc, so that means instant downloads from
> pay sites is a no-go for me.
>
> The other problem I have is I'm Canadian. So more then likely, that price
> quoted above is in USD, and thus I'll have to add 40-50% to the price.

A nice free image manipulation program is The Gimp.

http://www.gimp.org/

It's very powerful, open source, constantly being enhanced, and runs on most
current operating systems. The downside, like with most "runs on any
platform software", is that the interface isn't nearly as elegant as it
could be for *any* of those operating systems. But it's FREE! :)

If you have any problems you can ask questions over at
comp.graphics.apps.gimp.


--

-smithdoerr
 
Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.gurps (More info?)

> Actually, PSP is now a Corel product. It's also $US 129...
>
<http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Corel3/Products/Display&pfi
d=1047024307383&pid=1047023911984>
>

Figures. I haven't upgraded in a couple years, so I hadn't noticed.
 
Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.gurps (More info?)

>
> A nice free image manipulation program is The Gimp.
>
> http://www.gimp.org/
>
> It's very powerful, open source, constantly being enhanced, and runs on
most
> current operating systems. The downside, like with most "runs on any
> platform software", is that the interface isn't nearly as elegant as it
> could be for *any* of those operating systems. But it's FREE! :)
>
> If you have any problems you can ask questions over at
> comp.graphics.apps.gimp.
>

I had forgotten about GIMP. Been a while, but I recall it was more than just
decent, and it is open source (so free). Good call.
 
Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.gurps (More info?)

Dave wrote:

> The problem I've had with most maps archives I've found online is that
> there are often one or more problems of:
>
> -Garish colours that foul up the palate when I'm cleaning the maps up. (I
> use MS Paint, as I can't find a paint program that is simplistic, easy to
> use, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.)

Have you tried the GIMP? http://www.gimp.org

Some people hate the UI, but it's quite powerful and also free.

--
Be seeing you, http://www.glendale.org.uk/
Sam. jabber: samuel.penn@jabber.org
 
Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.gurps (More info?)

Dave,

I have a zip file with blank maps of the world in it. I found them on the
web a few months ago. They are located at
http://www.gcod.net/downloads/earth_maps.zip

Paul
Webmaster
http://www.gcod.net

"Dave" <dgreenlaw_no_spam@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:qvSdnd2ymKjJq6_fRVn-pA@rogers.com...
> Right,
>
> I just bought my copy of Infinate Worlds, and quickly noticed a desicive
> lack of maps - even the ones from both Alternate Earth books. Now I'm not
> complaining about the lack of maps, as I know that that would have
> contributed to both the size and cost of the book. Instead, I'm asking if
> there are any of the maps out there on the net for someone like myself to
> download - or even the blank templates they were derived from.
>
> The problem I've had with most maps archives I've found online is that
there
> are often one or more problems of:
>
> -Garish colours that foul up the palate when I'm cleaning the maps up. (I
> use MS Paint, as I can't find a paint program that is simplistic, easy to
> use, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.)
> -Thick borders, resulting in a hit-or-miss approach to trying to get the
> lines right while cleaning it up.
> -Large copyright watermarks that have to be cleaned up - and which, in at
> least one case, cbscure the borders so as to make it even more hit-or-miss
> in trying to recreate them accurately.
>
> I do have maps of both USA and North America that I've painstakingly
cleaned
> up, but if I can find something better looking I'll take it. I do have a
> world map, but it is small, and when I try to get in close for fine detail
> work it becomes all pixilated.
>
> I'm now looking for a good world map, as well as Europe and East Asia
> (Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam, Siberia, etc.).
>
> I'm toying with five different ideas, either for actual campains or as
> settings for modules for upcoming local gaming conventions:
>
> -Dixie - either as presented in the book (although the turning point is a
> bit convoluted) or as presented in the series of AH novels by Harry
> Turtledove (who's premise is a lot more simple and plausable).
> -Reich - as laid out in the book Fatherland (and yes, the book is much
> better then the TV movie) as opposed to what is laid out in Infinate
Worlds.
> (Mind you, the 3e World War II books, suplemented by the 4e High-Tech book
> when it comes out, will be a reletive goldmine of resources - which means
> that I'll have to get cracking and register for e23 to get some of the
other
> e-suplements as they come out if I decide to go this route.)
> -A modern fantasy setting, which may or may not be partially based on
> Merlin/Technomancer. (This is why I'd need a European map, to overlay the
> main Elvish and Dwarvish kingdoms/enclaves.)
>
> Any and all help and advice would be appreciated.
>
> Dave
>
>
 
Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.gurps (More info?)

Dave wrote:
> Right,
>
> I just bought my copy of Infinate Worlds, and quickly noticed a desicive
> lack of maps - even the ones from both Alternate Earth books. Now I'm not
> complaining about the lack of maps, as I know that that would have
> contributed to both the size and cost of the book. Instead, I'm asking if
> there are any of the maps out there on the net for someone like myself to
> download - or even the blank templates they were derived from.
>
> The problem I've had with most maps archives I've found online is that there
> are often one or more problems of:
>
> -Garish colours that foul up the palate when I'm cleaning the maps up. (I
> use MS Paint, as I can't find a paint program that is simplistic, easy to
> use, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.)
> -Thick borders, resulting in a hit-or-miss approach to trying to get the
> lines right while cleaning it up.
> -Large copyright watermarks that have to be cleaned up - and which, in at
> least one case, cbscure the borders so as to make it even more hit-or-miss
> in trying to recreate them accurately.
>
> I do have maps of both USA and North America that I've painstakingly cleaned
> up, but if I can find something better looking I'll take it. I do have a
> world map, but it is small, and when I try to get in close for fine detail
> work it becomes all pixilated.
>
> I'm now looking for a good world map, as well as Europe and East Asia
> (Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam, Siberia, etc.).
>
> I'm toying with five different ideas, either for actual campains or as
> settings for modules for upcoming local gaming conventions:
>
> -Dixie - either as presented in the book (although the turning point is a
> bit convoluted) or as presented in the series of AH novels by Harry
> Turtledove (who's premise is a lot more simple and plausable).
> -Reich - as laid out in the book Fatherland (and yes, the book is much
> better then the TV movie) as opposed to what is laid out in Infinate Worlds.
> (Mind you, the 3e World War II books, suplemented by the 4e High-Tech book
> when it comes out, will be a reletive goldmine of resources - which means
> that I'll have to get cracking and register for e23 to get some of the other
> e-suplements as they come out if I decide to go this route.)
> -A modern fantasy setting, which may or may not be partially based on
> Merlin/Technomancer. (This is why I'd need a European map, to overlay the
> main Elvish and Dwarvish kingdoms/enclaves.)
>
> Any and all help and advice would be appreciated.

Google is your friend...

http://www.hut.fi/~vesanto/link.useful/maps/maps.html

Re,
Dirk
 
Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.gurps (More info?)

Dave wrote:

> "Sam Spade" wrote:
>
>>Depending on your definition of expensive, I'd suggest Paint Shop Pro for
>>editing images. It's $70 or $80. I've been using it professionally for 14
>>years now, and it does a fine job of editing images. It'd be a HUGE step
>>up
>>from Paint.
>>
>
> Well, that's a decet price. However, is that for a web site download? See,
> I also have to deal with no cc, so that means instant downloads from pay
> sites is a no-go for me.

Website download of PSP9 is $55 and boxed direct is only $59 +
shipping & handling...

Prefer to order by phone?
Call us at 1-877-502-6735 and mention promotion code 1266.
Hours are 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. (EST) Monday - Friday. Canadian
residents can place phone orders to receive Canadian pricing.
 
Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.gurps (More info?)

>I'm asking if
>there are any of the maps out there on the net for someone like myself to
>download - or even the blank templates they were derived from.

Try some of these (mostly USA, not worldwide):

Color Landform Atlas of the United States
http://fermi.jhuapl.edu/states/states.html

Shaded Relief Maps of the United States
http://birrell.org/andrew/reliefMaps/

USGS GNIS (GNIS)
http://geonames.usgs.gov/