I am Dming a game and am in desperate need of a free map creation software. The more details i can add the better. Thanks alot!

I am currently preparing a homebrew campaign and I want to start creating some maps for my world. I am not that good at drawing so I am looking for an app/website where I can create maps. I wanna create both large and small scale maps. I need maps depicting the whole world, a region/city, or just the setting a battle is taking place.

I’m running campaign in the desert and I’m having trouble finding a good map making software and I don’t want to find a map off the internet, any suggestions?

In an effort to better serve the community, the moderation staff will be creating a series of guides and collections of resources over the next week or so, to both help interested new players, and provide a compendium for more seasoned veterans.

This post will be linked in the sidebar for all to see, and will be heavily curated to remain relevant and optimized.

The following resources are divided into tools for making your own maps, tools for generating random maps, and map repositories, if you want someone ELSE to make the maps.

Map Making - Creating your own maps

Campaign Cartographer 3 [$44.95] - Considered by many to be the ultimate map-making software, CC3 can initially be very intimidating. It's hefty price tag and steep learning-curve have turned more than a few away. However, the results can be stunning. Take a look through their gallery, or some creations from the Cartographer's Guild, and be amazed.

Dundjinni [$39.95] - Something of a rival with CC3, Dundjinni specializes in more playable maps, and less on getting that real map look. The system is also slightly more approachable than CC3, with fairly similar results. Take a look through the gallery on that page as well, it's the best way to understand the kind of results you're going to get.

AutoREALM [free] - This GNU mapping resource is a simple but powerful map-maker. It is a more watered down version of the predecessors, but the maps it makes are still incredibly beautiful and versatile. It also supports pretty much any system, able to make grid-maps, hex-maps, triangular-maps, etc etc.

Dungeon Painter [free] - This is a HIGHLY recommended battle-map maker. It is almost as simple to use as Paint.Net, but comes loaded with tons of map-making resources. the best part is that, not only is it compeltely free, you don't even need to register to use it. Seriously, try it right now. Right the hell now.

Hexographer http://www.hexographer.com [Free/$30] - Very easily makes maps in the Mystara D&D style as well as the 1st Edition World of Greyhawk maps. Also creates Traveller style star maps and overland/wilderness battle maps.

Dungeonographer http://www.dungeonographer.com [Free/$30] - Same interface as Hexographer, but includes icons for dungeons, caverns and building interiors. All built-in icons have line art and battlemat styles and one click lets you toggle modes to have a GM's view or player's battlemat view.

Map Generating - Having a map made for you

donjon RPG Tools [free] - While already mentioned in the character Generation post, there are a myriad of tools for map generating as well. The fractal world generator will craft entire continents on a globe. There are also generators for dungeons, inns, town, magic shops, etc. While the details are usually fairly lacking, the DM is given leave to create exactly what he wants inside of those confines. Seriously, if you're a DM who doesn't use dj's stuff, you're trying too hard (also, iirc, donjon himself is a redditor. So hey!).

Gozzy's Cartographic Emporium [free] - Gozzy's multiple map generators allow for a lot more in the way of parameters, allowing the DM to really specify the details he or she wants in a map. As with most generators, the details will still be a little lacking compared to hand-made maps, but it's great for on-the-fly map building.

Mathemagician! [free] - Very user friendly and simple generator, can pretty much instantly populate a small area with however many of each race you desire. Great for when your group is SUPER INSISTENT on stopping at the dwarven enclave that you just mentioned in passing.

Map Repositories - Because sometimes you want someone else to make the map

Cartographer's Guild - The premier home of fantasy map-makers. CG doesn't just host a bevy of maps for your use, but also boasts a full-fledged community built around the idea of map-making. With weekly contests, experienced advice-givers, and discussion on every aspect of map-making, it's an excellent resource for any DM.

r/mapmaking, r/worldbuilding, r/battlemaps - Three subreddits specifically built around making believable and convincing maps and worlds. A quick perusal of their frontpages will reveal dedicated and inspired communities.

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In your experience, what world map generator (free or otherwise) has given the most naturalistic results? I'm not opposed to paying for map software if it gives good results.

I am trying to make some world, and hex crawl maps. Would prefer something free, but would consider paying for something good.

any help is appreciated

So I'm a new DM trying my first homebrew. Right now I'm having issues with maps. Namely the world map. I've found a nice program for making dungeons, it's doing a passable job for villages, but is bad for a world map. I can find map generators all over but nothing to let me make my own map. Anyone have suggestions I can use?

I'm trying to make my first dungeon and have no idea which resource to use for my map making. Obviously it should be simple and easy to use. I don't care if it has fancy stuff either as long as it gets the job done and it's compatible with Roll20 since that what my group uses. Thank you if you respond.

I've been a long time dm. I really enjoy using maps to help combat scenes. I remember when I started I would draw the maps out on poster board and create whatever details for the map.

Fast forward twenty years, I have found the ability to use online tools to create custom maps from scratch.

I'm currently using inkarnate. It's very user friendly and provides great options to choose from and different styles of maps available. As well as the amount of items for detailing is wonderful.

My question for you is this, what site do you use to create your maps, where do you draw your inspiration and what's your favorite map made so far? Pictures always welcome

I have one map that u have been working on. I putting the finishing touches on it currently however this is what I got.

I want to pick up map-making as a hobby. In the future I want to run a campaign Ive had in my mind for a while, and currently I'd like to help out two of my friends who are DM's by creating some maps in my free time. However, I have never used programs for it, and I'm also not sure about spending money on programs Im unfamiliar with without feedback.

Ideally I'm looking for a free program to experiment with a bit, but I'm not opposed to spending some money on a program if the general consensus is that it's a solid program.

Userfriendliness is an absolute must though, as I have no experience whatsoever yet on this.

Hi everyone! I’m the creator of Fantasy Town Generator, a free tool for generating fantasy settlements, from tiny hamlets to large cities. You can create a settlement in seconds, and then explore the buildings and people that have been created for you.

Some key features:

• Many map options - rivers, coasts, districts, walls, and more

• Clickable buildings - see what each one is, what it sells, and who’s currently there

• Detailed people - appearance, personality, relationships, and stats

• Time simulation - change the time of day and people will move around

• Factions & events - secret meetings, conflicts, and story hooks for DMs

• Fully customizable - edit everything, including the map, or start from a blank canvas

• Foundry VTT and Roll20 integration - share maps with players for interactive sessions

It’s free, and no login is required unless you want to save settlements to the cloud. Note, there is a premium tier that unlocks unlimited settlements and some other features.

I’ve been working on this as a passion project for the last few years, and I’m still actively working on it. You can join the discord to get regular updates and share feedback: https://discord.com/invite/RrUNpebjGD

You can check it out here: https://www.fantasytowngenerator.com

I’d love to hear what you think, and I’m happy to answer any questions!

So I’ve been playing online with my group for a couple years, and when we don’t run off a module I find the biggest problem is obtaining battle maps that are relative to the scene but also look good. We play off roll20 soon to be Foundry, and I’m wondering what good suggestions there are to create our own maps?

I’ve tried things like Flowscape for some nature settings but looking for a more complete package including dungeon building, any prices are fine just fire away!

I'm about to start an online campaign, and I want to make a map of the world. My price range goes up to about 50 dollars, if the program is especially good, but I'd prefer to spend as little money as possible. Appreciate the help!

I recently made a bunch with Inkarnate.com, but I would really like something better. Thanks in advance!