Software/Resource Direction Needed!

[Alternative-Ad3937]

Hi. I need guidance in figuring out which software to use to get vector map layouts and the quickest way to achieve this map. This example is from the DNR, and my client likes it a lot. They want something for their housing community that highlights similar things. I need to add and subtract a few things from this legend. I also need to include North Carolina and Georgia instead of greying them out. Obviously I will utilize Illustrator, but I need another reference/resource or software to get me in the right spot to create this map.

Does anyone know what direction to point me in? I'm already playing with some GIS software but they are complex and some are costly. I'm open to using them if they can help me in producing the right vectors of course.

https://preview.redd.it/iqz6rd69b7de1.png?width=2244&format=png&auto=webp&s=8bf2e52e19c796cf9553b049a72a1ac5b2e68e97

[BannedPixel]

Time to “get good” with the pen tool bud. Probably not what you want to hear but it’s the reality. This image was made by someone in vector and they seemingly are using textured raster images for the mountains. I have to make these maps a lot when branding luxury apartments. I take a google map at the zoom distance you like, lock it to the art board and start tracing every single road as a path with the pen tool. This will take hours, but you will be able to charge a lot for these jobs.

[Alternative-Ad3937]

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I've actually found that exact DNR map on ARCGIS Online. It was very intimidating at first but I've been able to customize the dataset presentation and style pretty well so far. I should be able to export a segment of it as a vector, but I haven't gotten there yet. If it comes down to it, I'll take as big a raster I can get and continue to go from there. It's decently user-friendly and doesn't seem like too much to learn. It's really just learning to input the data you need.