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Do any of you know where I can download a free and easy to use mapping program like the one PB uses for their maps, ship's deck plans?

I'd draw my own maps but I draw so badly that my stick figures look like the victim of an attack of rabid, mutant hemorrhoids from hell.

Thanks for your help.

Sadly all the mapping programs I know cost hundreds of dollars.

MS-Paint (or Open Source Equivalents)? It comes bundled w/the Windows OS (and Linux its easy enough to install a package for something similar). The results may not be as pretty, but they likely would be better than free-style.

You might want to check some open source distribution sites, they might have something that you could use to similar effect.

CAD software might be another option (and there are Open Source/Shareware versions out there), in addition to numerous graphics programs (MS-Paint, Photoshop, GIMP, etc) would be another.

These solutions also allow you to create sub-files of repeated objects/icons that you can duplicate endlessly.

Another option is to look for Modular Map Tiles for hardcopy. You can pay for production versions (store or online) or there are free versions on-line that you'd have to print out. Its pure hard copy, and might be more limited depending on how long you want the map around.

I use campaign cartographer 3. Take at look at my sig pictures and everything there is done on CC3. Ive also done maps of Baalgor, Floenry, Y-Oda & Zy, Eastern Territory, Lopan & Phi, Bizantium so far (rest still to do). All look good. Nice program.

Its a great program, but it costs a lot of money... unless you have a friend that lives in a bay and gives you a copy free

Here's a few recommended by a gm'ing ezine. I've personally never tried them, so I can't critique them.

http://pyromancers.com/dungeon-painter-online/

http://www.curufea.com/games/roguelike/map.php

http://www.inkwellideas.com/roleplaying ... m_dungeon/

http://davesmapper.com/

http://www.gozzys.com/article.php?cm_id=11

http://axiscity.hexamon.net/users/isomage/cavegen/

I would add Inkwell's Hexographer for world maps - the free version is limited in size you can work with, but otherwise has most of what you'll need

http://www.hexographer.com/

I have some experience with maps. What kind of map are you looking to make? Tactical, city, regional, or world? What kind of quality/artistry do you want in your maps? Do you prefer a photo-realistic map, or something that looks more hand-drawn?

There are a ton of options out there for style and software. Hand-drawn maps can also work great. My preferred tool for maps is GIMP, an open source image editing program. I also use some Inkscape and WILBUR, both of which are also open-source. I've done world maps and regional maps (my gallery is linked in my sig).