Existing users, 
 RPGMapMaker - 5.4.4Draw maps with polygonal grids. |
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Feedback Summary:
| This Version: | |||||
| Overall Rating: | Not rated (0.0) | Features: | Not rated (0.0) | Support: | Not rated (0.0) |
| Ease of Use: | Not rated (0.0) | Quality / Stability: | Not rated (0.0) | Price: | Not rated (0.0) |
Key to Types of Feedback:
Reviews 
Troubleshooting 
Usage Tips 
Developer Notes 
Commentary 
Featured Reviews
The best map creation tool for the mac! 
- Version: 5.1.0, 4/30/2007 03:24PM PST
kelranth
This is by far the best mapping program I have ever used. It combines the ability to craft the appearance you want with the functionality needed for game play. The list of features is very long indeed but the highlight of this program is actually the developer. He both welcomes and listens to feedback from users in order to improve on an already impressive map creation tool. It is very easy to layout the landscape of the land using default or custom icons. With links you can open a city map just by clicking on the town icon or or navigate down stairwells in a dungeon, each level opening in either the same window or new windows as you click links. With automatic maze/dungeon generators you can quickly add to your world, when players do the unexpected. I really can not say enough, just that I hope you will give this amazing program a try.
RPGMapMaker is a Great Tool for RPGers who use Macs! - Version: 5.1.0, 11/20/2006 08:17AM PST
moneill3
I recently returned to gaming after a near ten year hiatus. A the time that I stopped playing there were a number of computer based tools for RPGers, but none for the Macintosh. About a year ago I got the bug again and, as I still use the Mac, started looking at several of the Mac based tools available. I looked at most of them, and paid the liscencing fee for several before I stumbled upon RPGMapMaker. What a tool!
I found that the learning curve on RPGMapMaker was very short, being able to produce credible maps for my ganes in a very short time. The scripting ability that was built into the earlier version was VERY useful, allowing me to create my own specific Map Sheets, prepopulated with the room descriptions, basic NPC info, and even random encounter tables. RPGMapMaker also included severl modules that allowed the random generation of caverns, mazes and dungeons, though this feature was limited to an 8.5"X11" area. I quickly dropped use of all other tools and have been using RPGMapMaker since, and that was version 4.4.2.
Starting in version 5.0, veraion 5.1 is essentially the same as 5.0 except that it is a Universal Binary, Francois added some very significant features! Scripting has been expanded to all layers, though it is limited to text only on all but the 'grid' layer, and the random dungeon/cavern/maze modules have been expanded to allow for creation of maps up to the largest size maps the program can handle, which is "E" size (for those of us in the US) I have used the latest version to create a 'D' size cavern map for a campaign I am currently running, including scripting to add specific detail on the NPC list, Chamber description, and Random Encounter Table. My only issue now is not having a printer that can print the map,a problem that I resolved by going to a local print house. They LOVED the artwork I produced with RPGMapMaker.
Finally, when I first started using RPGMapMaker, there wasn't an online community from which I could get answers to some of my tougher questions, and even though the software was easy to learn, I am NOT an artist and some of the techniques used to develop the very nice sample maps available on RPGMapMakers home page escaped me. The good news is that Francois has agreed to support such a community and so the 'RPGMapMakerForum' at Yahoo!Groups was born. Its a small community so far, but Francois has been impresively cooperative, answering questions, working with the users to develop new exciting features for his software, and remaining open and extreemly responsive when it came to 'bug' reports on his a;pha and bata versions as he prepared the version 5 upgrade.
All round, I am VERY happy with the tool that Francois had provided and look forward to any and all advancements he makes.
Oh, one more thing. With version 5.0 and higher, Francois has made great strides with the documentation. For a program that was fairly easy to learn, his update of the documentation has made it even easier. If there was one area in the documentation where there is still room for improvement it is in the area of scripting for the 'other' layers. The documentation for scripting the 'grid' layer, in conjunction with the sample scripts provided, is very effective. Samples of scripts for the other layers would make it much easier to understand that aspect of the scripting feature.
Eric C. Smith
An Extreemly Happy User
I found that the learning curve on RPGMapMaker was very short, being able to produce credible maps for my ganes in a very short time. The scripting ability that was built into the earlier version was VERY useful, allowing me to create my own specific Map Sheets, prepopulated with the room descriptions, basic NPC info, and even random encounter tables. RPGMapMaker also included severl modules that allowed the random generation of caverns, mazes and dungeons, though this feature was limited to an 8.5"X11" area. I quickly dropped use of all other tools and have been using RPGMapMaker since, and that was version 4.4.2.
Starting in version 5.0, veraion 5.1 is essentially the same as 5.0 except that it is a Universal Binary, Francois added some very significant features! Scripting has been expanded to all layers, though it is limited to text only on all but the 'grid' layer, and the random dungeon/cavern/maze modules have been expanded to allow for creation of maps up to the largest size maps the program can handle, which is "E" size (for those of us in the US) I have used the latest version to create a 'D' size cavern map for a campaign I am currently running, including scripting to add specific detail on the NPC list, Chamber description, and Random Encounter Table. My only issue now is not having a printer that can print the map,a problem that I resolved by going to a local print house. They LOVED the artwork I produced with RPGMapMaker.
Finally, when I first started using RPGMapMaker, there wasn't an online community from which I could get answers to some of my tougher questions, and even though the software was easy to learn, I am NOT an artist and some of the techniques used to develop the very nice sample maps available on RPGMapMakers home page escaped me. The good news is that Francois has agreed to support such a community and so the 'RPGMapMakerForum' at Yahoo!Groups was born. Its a small community so far, but Francois has been impresively cooperative, answering questions, working with the users to develop new exciting features for his software, and remaining open and extreemly responsive when it came to 'bug' reports on his a;pha and bata versions as he prepared the version 5 upgrade.
All round, I am VERY happy with the tool that Francois had provided and look forward to any and all advancements he makes.
Oh, one more thing. With version 5.0 and higher, Francois has made great strides with the documentation. For a program that was fairly easy to learn, his update of the documentation has made it even easier. If there was one area in the documentation where there is still room for improvement it is in the area of scripting for the 'other' layers. The documentation for scripting the 'grid' layer, in conjunction with the sample scripts provided, is very effective. Samples of scripts for the other layers would make it much easier to understand that aspect of the scripting feature.
Eric C. Smith
An Extreemly Happy User
Problem with G3 - Version: 5.0.0, 11/4/2006 03:42AM PST
Francois_Menneteau_838
I am sad to announce that version 5.0.0 of RPGMapMaker does not work on Macintosh with a G3 processor. This is under investigation and I hope to find a solution soon.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Would like to try the new version, but... - Version: 3.1.1, 2/4/2004 06:39PM PST
n8h@wk
it seems the developer's website no longer exists.
Still one of the better ones - Version: 3.0.0, 8/18/2003 02:45PM PST
(1 of 1 users found this comment useful)
Hangnail
I've tried tons of mapping software. Although some of the CAD based ones are nice, and Illustrator and similar can produce some impressive output, they are usually way too expensive for my hobby. This fills a nice niche. The interface takes some getting used to but most will be able to easily reason it out. The author is very responsive to any feedback so if you are an avid gamer and need a mapping tool I would highly recommend it. use it, send in feedback, and make it better.
I have noticed the problem the previous review posted. It looks like it is trying to load a help file or similar and cant find it. Simply close the window and you are back. Will continue to play around and see what the problem is.
I have noticed the problem the previous review posted. It looks like it is trying to load a help file or similar and cant find it. Simply close the window and you are back. Will continue to play around and see what the problem is.
Martin Turner... that's… - Version: 2.8.0, 4/15/2003 10:18AM PST
(2 of 2 users found this comment useful)
lalato
not even a true review... This app is obviously not designed for Graphic Artists... it's designed for Dungeon Masters that want to create a map for their campaigns. Yes... a graphic artist can do a lot better than most any mapping program (including AutoRealm and Campaign Cartographer)... however, these programs aren't designed to be better than an artist. They're designed to create decent, functional maps... and I think this program succeeds at that very well.
While it lacks… 
- Version: 2.7.2, 4/1/2003 08:13PM PST
Paraplegic Racehorse
most of the functionality I have become accustomed to in my Windows map making tools, I still consider my investment to have been worthwhile. Until AutoREALM becomes available, this is the best map creation program I've found for any price on the Macintosh platform.
As others say,… - Version: 2.7.2, 4/1/2003 11:30AM PST
Mark Lilback
the interface is confusing. However, it is the best solution I've found for quickly drawing maps for my D&D campaign. The author is very responsive about adding features and fixing bugs, too.
This is a… - Version: 2.7.0, 2/28/2003 06:54AM PST
Martin Turner--2008
fairly basic program, I suspect aimed at people who don't have access to a commercial drawing program such as Adobe Illustrator. If you are an Illustrator or even Photoshop user, you would be able to replicate what this program does in about half an hour of template building. If you want true 3d dungeons, castles or terrains, then Strata3d (the free version) would accomplish all this and much more. That said, if you've only got USD34 and don't own a commercial graphics application, then this might well solve your problem — but don't expect to compete with the hand-drawn stuff that some arty people do.
My verdict's not… - Version: 2.5.0, 10/18/2002 12:19PM PST
Dredd
in. downloaded it for the first time today and it immediately crashes on start.
