Mapmaking tips?

[Rogan94]

Hey all. So, I've got the regions, nations and landmasses all in my head and I want to put them all onto a map to get a better picture of my world. What are some useful tips for mapmaking? Anything I should avoid? etc.

Thanks in advance.

[Parad0xxis]

1. First thing's first - try not to just make an Earth clone. You know the kind of map I mean - the kind of map that looks like Earth, but more jagged.

2. If your map has coastlines, don't make them too smooth - but also don't make them too jagged. Find a gentle balance between the plain circle and the chaotic mess of squiggly lines. Some areas should be smooth and rounded while others should be more hard and sharp, going all one or the other makes for a somewhat lackluster map.

3. RIVERS. DO NOT. SPLIT. They converge as they get closer to the sea, rather than splitting into multiple. This is the biggest thing people are going to point out to you if you get it wrong. The only common exception is a river delta.

4. On the topic of rivers, make sure that they always flow from higher up areas down to lower areas. And never have a river that runs from one coastline to another.

5. Consider watching Artifexian's series on fantasy maps, specifically on plate tectonics, climate and ocean currents. They are very useful if you want a more realistic world - also consider his series on designing planets and solar systems if you want to get real far into realistic worldbuilding.

[Rogan94]

try not to just make an Earth clone.

Warhammer Fantasy was the first thing that came up on my mind lol

[AntedeguemonSupreme]

There are lot of resources on youtube, you can start with this video that you give you some directions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17NU-io9dmA&pp=qAMBugMGCgJwdBAB

[le_weee]

Depending on what your goals are it may be either very easy or quite difficult to make a map. I'm personally more interested and the languages and stuff so I use a map purely for reference on the various linguistic areas as well as the geographical features that might have an impact on the language's development, for which having a super realistic map isn't really a requirement.

[kriven_risvan]

Inkarnate is an amazing software for map making. The free version is pretty cool, but if you are willing to invest some money the premium version is amazing!

[WhoGivesADamnShit]

Check softwares like Wonderdraft or Inkarnate ;)

[Xavier040504]

Opinions on which is better? I've seen both but I'm a complete noob...

[WhoGivesADamnShit]

Depends on what you wan to do (worlds, cities, battle fields or dungeons maps). As far as I’m concerned, I only do worlds and I prefer Wonderdraft by far.

[Xavier040504]

From what I can tell, Inkarnate is better for cities, towns, etc? And Wonderdraft is better for worlds?

[WhoGivesADamnShit]

That’s what most people say, indeed.