What dungeon creation tools are out there?

I've been looking for a good program to build dungeon maps with. I must have tried 20 different programs that all give me a headache. I am looking for a simple grid lock "Tile placement" style program that also allows me to lock walls to the grid as well. Where it makes the map look smoother and not so rigid, possibly with some overlay effects like water/moss. The best one out there appears to be Dungeon Designer, but I'm not looking to spend upwards of $80 on software. I did like the site <a href="http://pyromancers.com/dungeon-painter-online" rel="nofollow">http://pyromancers.com/dungeon-painter-online</a> but I end up with more layers then I could even begin to organize while building a simple sample map. Another free program I love is DCrafter3 although that requires me to find/create my own tiles and limits the map size to 15x15. I just see all these cool maps out there that users have created and would like to be able to create something that might resemble them in a fashion. More then the typical black/white sketched old school D&D maps. (Although at this point that sounds like the best option) I'm not simply looking for something because I need an epic map that will never be forgotten or that I dislike using simple lines for boundaries and manipulating my words as description. I just really enjoy creating the actual maps and would like better tools to help me sculpt the landscape with.

I second this. I would love to draw my own maps for online games, but I've yet to find a program to do so. If anyone is holding this knowledge secret, let us know ;)

I would say Tiled (<a href="http://www.mapeditor.org/" rel="nofollow">http://www.mapeditor.org/</a>), because it lets build your map, but also use the squares in the map as new tiles. You can import a map you like and re-use instantly all its parts to make your own. No layers though, but for that, a graphic program like Photoshop or GIMP (free) would work better, I think.

Do I need to download tilesets for that Patrick? If so where might I find them? Side Note: I actually prefer not having any layers. I'm more of a MS Paint artist where if I screw up I better hit ctrl 'z' or else it's gone. nothing buried deep underneath, I'm just going to upload the final image to Roll20 anyways.

No, you don't have to download tilesets. You can open any map you have (at a suitable size for your needs) and then you can use any square of that map as a tile. Here is how it goes: -make a new map (with 70px squares if you want to use it with Roll20) -import a map (in an image format) that you own (go to New Tileset and import it). This map is now cut into square tiles that you can use to fill your new Tiled map -to export it in a useful format, you must "save as an image" The most important thing to remember to use the program is that the maps you import into it are not used as maps, but as tilesets (and they are not called maps, but tilesets). For Tiled, a map is what you make in the program with those tilesets, not what you import into it. And I just saw that there are commands for layers, but I have never used them.

Ok, maybe I'm an idiot, but I downloaded Tiled, and all I can access is the dessert example. I really like the program, but I'm not sure how to find other tile sets. Am I missing something?

Step 1: Do you have any map in an image format (jpg, png,...)? If not, download one from here, for exemple: <a href="http://educatedgamer.net/gallery/index.php?cat=0" rel="nofollow">http://educatedgamer.net/gallery/index.php?cat=0</a> This map is going to be the base for a new tileset; Step 2: When you have downloaded it: - open Tiled - go to File>New and choose a size for the map you want to make (any number of squares, but a size of 70x70 pixels per square to use in Roll20). You have now an empty map upon which you'll be able to work. - go to Map> New Tileset and in the window that opens, you choose the map in image format that you downloaded in step 1. You have now a new tileset. - You can now choose any part of the tileset (select in the tileset window) and stamp it on your map (in the map window), or you can take one tile and paint with it, or fill an area (using the tools above the map window). - When you have finished working on your map, go to File > Save as Image So, to be clear: there are no tilesets for Tiled; you can turn any map you have into a tileset; Tiled cuts all the squares of any map you load into it into tiles that can be re-used. When you have turned a map into a tileset, you can save the tileset for further use. So, by downloading a few maps, you can make quickly a big collection of tilesets.

Ok, so I think I have the tiled program figured out. I've made a map, but how do I get it onto roll20 now? sorry to be a tech noob, but computers are not my thing. If you could help, I'd appreciate it!

Vicky D. said, I've made a map, but how do I get it onto roll20 now Did you check the answers to this thread? "Looking for map help; drawing, and/or loading maps" (<a href="http://community.roll20.net/discussion/3003/looking-for-map-help-drawing-andor-loading-maps#Item_1" rel="nofollow">http://community.roll20.net/discussion/3003/looking-for-map-help-drawing-andor-loading-maps#Item_1</a>) Maybe some of your questions are answered there! :)

I saw that post, but the answer unfortunately didn't help. I've tried dragging the image onto roll20, but it keeps giving me an error. It's under the size limit, and it's the right file type, so i'm not sure what's wrong. I figured someone who knew Tiled might know more, no offense.

EDIT: Opps, my bad. I misread the size of the file; it was too large. I tried a smaller file, and it worked fine. My apologies!

No worries, Vicky D. Glad that you found the issue.

I use <a href="http://www.dungeonographer.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.dungeonographer.com/</a> Can do straightforward black (or blue) and white maps, plus more detailed textured ones if that's your thing. It's Java so it's cross-platform compatible. The on-line version is available at the outrageous price of free. If you want to work off-line or load your own objects (e.g. all the fantastic free ones on the Dundjinni forums), the lifetime license with unlimited upgrades is a very reasonable $25.

Ok, I've tried both Tiled and Dungeonographer now, and while both seem like really good programs, I can't seem to make a map that fits. I mean, even the most simple of maps I'm testing out are over the roll20 limit. And yet, I can find much more elaborate maps on the internet that fit under the file limit. This may sound stupid, but what the heck is up with that? Is there a trick I'm missing? I apologize if I'm being overly needy. I really, really, **** when it comes to computers and technical stuff, and I'm doing my best to make this work, but I seem to have no luck.

Vicky D., If your resulting images or maps are too large, try to save them in JPG format instead of PNG or any other. You can open any of these large images into Paint (included in Windows OS), and then save it in a different graphic format like JPG. Also, check the actual size of the file; maybe it's too big and you need to resize it down. Again, you can do this with Paint. If you aren't using a Windows OS, I'm sure there is an equivalent to it in your Operating System. Besides, you may want to check these threads about map file size: <a href="http://community.roll20.net/discussion/1104/mapspage-size-how-big-is-too-big-/p1" rel="nofollow">http://community.roll20.net/discussion/1104/mapspage-size-how-big-is-too-big-/p1</a> <a href="http://community.roll20.net/discussion/2826/uploading-map-tiles/p1" rel="nofollow">http://community.roll20.net/discussion/2826/uploading-map-tiles/p1</a> Quoting Kristin C., "If the file size of your map image is over 5 MB, I'd recommend cutting the map into smaller pieces, uploading them to Roll20 and then reassembling on the Tabletop." EDIT: I didn't see your post above, Kristin C.

What I do is draw the basic outline of my map in Dungeonographer, Hexographer, or Dundjinni (depending on what I'm doing and as the mood takes me), load that up into Roll20, and then dress it within Roll20. For example, if I'm doing a dungeon I draw the outline of the walls, add a floor texture, and add the doors in Dungeonographer. I then export that as a PNG and load it up into Roll20. When it's in Roll20 I add on the furniture, torches, plants, staircases, whatever. Keeps the file size down and exploits the relative strengths of both bits of software.

I like your style Mr G! I might just take that route. :)

MUWAHAHAHAHA!!! SUCCESS!!! After nearly two weeks of problems, I finally have a working map making program and a virtual table top program that like each other! I am so happy I could scream. MAJOR THANKS TO EVERYONE HERE FOR HELPING ME. I could not have made this work without the help of this community. So yea, I owe you guys and gals a lot. If you ever need computer help...well, don't come to me lol. If you need a DM/GM for a game, I might be able to help you there ;) Anywho, thanks again for the help. I finally feel like I can get somewhere with the game I'm trying to run lol.

I like your style Mr G! I might just take that route. :) Thanks, HardKor. I'm inherently lazy you see so don't like wrestling with software. Dungeonographer is great at drawing dungeons quickly and easily, but weak on dressing them. Roll20 is great on dressing dungeons quickly and easily, but weak at drawing them. Seemed like a good combo to me.

I used Maptools from RPTools to create the basic map, (my Tavern ) and added any movable furniture or items using Roll20. Mine worked out fine also. I may try some of the other programs out there like this Dungeonographer...

If you have an iPad you could try Battle Map.. And just take a screen shot and email it to yourself and upload etc.. but the editor is as simple as touching the screen of the iPad lol

For those interested, we will be releasing not only maps, tokens and terrain pieces, but also tutorials on how we go about making them. All tutorials will be available to everyone on our website as soon as we have it up and running.

Dungeon Painter Online is seriously easy and fast once you get used to it. You can group the layers so that it doesn't get overwhelming. I can usually generate a decent dungeon or outdoor map in 30 mins or less and everything aligns perfectly in Roll20. It just takes a little time to learn it.

The Dungeon Painter online is perfect. I think I'll make a map a day until I have a city in my hands lol

very surprised no one has suggested tiamat. I do really like dungeon painter to get a good base floor plan down, then I generally do my walls, furniture and everything else that I don't need to remove from the scene or make dissapear in photoshop (anything moveable I place while in roll20) here's tiamat. towards the middle bottom, if you click on the 1 of 3020 part it lets you filter tile types. <a href="http://www.rpgobjects.com/tiamat/" rel="nofollow">http://www.rpgobjects.com/tiamat/</a> Just click "New" in the top left corner and you're all set. Note, to rotate tiles, click on them after they have been placed. It has your basic essentials for creating a dungeon layout, and has pretty decent detail for throwing together a dungeon at a moments notice if your party has gone in a direction you didn't plan ahead for. Enjoy!

I like using gimp and various tiles you can find online. This allows me to create non-standard maps easily. I know a lot of people that use a variety of photo or paint software to build their maps.

Uhhh, text, + whiteboard and visualization + pictures if I have to? Trees are made of wood.&nbsp; Gammaglobulinz?

Wha?

Gamma globulin. Interesting s/n. forget it.&nbsp;

haha, It's goblin, but close enough :P

I know, but it was similar enough to a word mostly unused out of field, that it stood out.

Ahh gotcha.

To get a quick, random dungeon for the odd occasion where the party has gone off-path, or when you don't have specific requirements beside "dungeon of roughly size x", Dave's Mapper comes in pretty handy:&nbsp;<a href="http://davesmapper.com/" rel="nofollow">http://davesmapper.com/</a>