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Azarin
Skirmisher
6 Posts
    
 | | 11/17/2008 8:24 PM |
| | Does anyone have experience with using a projector (for projecting the maps onto the game table) with D&D?
Any suggestions on mapping software?
Any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks | | | |
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Most Edumacated
zenthrus
Warlord
5132 Posts
SLC, UT
| | 11/18/2008 12:01 AM |
| It's a pain in the arse to set up but worked relatively well. I don't do it anymore due to (1) no longer have access to projector and (2) no longer have time to create layered maps.
The trick is that you need to create a stable mount that's the right distance away from the gaming surface. Heavy emphasis on a stable mount. You don't want your projector crashing onto your table. Also, be sure to run a cord rail (or at least use some sort of tacks) to keep the cord out of the way.
Dundjinni is pretty good for map creation. Photoshop is great because you can create layers which allows for some pretty spiffy effects (fog, invisible objects, etc). Jai's Tile Mapper is a decent program (I use it for my maps) but takes some effort to get the maps scaled correctly (you could just use the projector to set the scale to make things simpler).
Even if I still had a projector (and time) I would probably just stick with my current system of printing out maps in modular sections. Unless you have a dedicated gaming table/area it's a pain to assemble/take down. Also, getting your mount solid enough to ensure no slippage yet still allowing for proper ventilation and access to connectors/controls and allowing for removal of the projector (sometimes you have to change the lamp) is not an easy task (especially if you don't have a permanent place to put it). Also, setting up layered map effects can be very time consuming (you don't have to but it adds a ton of flavor). One final objection to using a projector is that I don't like a lot of stuff cluttering up the table when I game. If you already use a laptop for gaming you're in good shape in this department. I don't so I didn't like adding a laptop for the express purpose of utilizing maps.
Looks like the D&D Insider dungeon mapper might work for use with a projector. You'd expect that they would include layer effects and a relatively easy-to-use interface. Who knows when they'll actually have the dungeon creator/game table operational, though.
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Azarin
Skirmisher
6 Posts
| | 11/18/2008 4:41 PM |
| Thanks for your detailed response.
Do you know which of those map programs allows you to unveil the map at your discretion as DM? This way parts of the map are still hidden until they need be revealed.
We are fortunate to have a permanent gaming space with a huge table, so room is not an issue. I don't suppose any mapping programs would let you input a pdf of a map, then scale it to 1 inch squares?. | | | |
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Most Edumacated
zenthrus
Warlord
5132 Posts
SLC, UT
| | 11/18/2008 6:57 PM |
| The layering ability of Photoshop is what allows you to unveil the map at your discretion. Takes quite a bit of prep time, though, since you have to determine what dungeon elements you want revealed and in what sequence.
Not sure what programs would let you scale pdfs. They're already scalable through the view option in Adobe Reader so you could use your projector to scale (play with the viewed size and projector distance until you come across the magic solution). I use MS Word to scale image files (.jpg or .bmp) to 1". It's incredibly quick and easy. Haven't ever tried importing a .pdf as an image, though. | |
Knight Warlord a.k.a. Commander (#32) in only 6 months. Where's my pie?
Champion of Dwarven Thunderlashers
Knight of the Large Dire Chicken
Have/Want List
Trade References | |
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thekidxii
Sergeant
533 Posts
No Yack. I said.. we need a DM not BM!
| | 11/19/2008 4:38 AM |
| If I ever get a projector..... I want to try this program www.battlegroundsgames.com
If anyone has played with it... please let us know how it worked.
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Champion of the dire hippo.
Audi Vide Tace
"Nothing matters but the weekend, From a Tuesday point of view" -Diamond & Zero | |
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Cardboard Carnage
Skirmisher
43 Posts
Montana
| | 11/19/2008 10:00 AM |
| Ok, this is old school... we did this once for our gaming group back in the 80's, before computers were around, and it worked pretty well. I was in high school at the time, and one of the teachers gave me a bunch of clear sheets of plastic paper that had small grid patterns on them (for doing graph plotting in match), they worked great. I would draw the dungeon ahead of time with a sharpie marker (permanent) and then later when it was on the projector, we could write on it and draw arrows and 'x' marks and stuff with the projector markers (I have no idea what kind they were, this is going way back).
As far as hiding parts of the map, I would just use sheets of paper on the projector to block off areas of the map - no light showing through would mean no way to see what was covered.
Bottom line was it was kind of neat to do, and at the time it was really 'state of the art', but it didn't last long. It was a huge hassle to do and the setup ahead of time was time consuming... I don't recall how many times we used it, maybe a few times over a month period, then we abandoned it and went back to good old fashioned graph paper and the players would map out where they were going.
As technology has now advanced, it probably would be worth going in and doing this again, using high-tech computer programs to do your mapping, etc., it would be leaps and bounds over what we did 25 years ago! Please keep us posted on your progress.
D.
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D-Rock Roberts
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Azarin
Skirmisher
6 Posts
| | 12/01/2008 11:57 AM |
| Well, I tried Maptools from RPtools.net and it worked great. Fog of war was fast and easy to use. I imported a jpeg of the maps I wanted and saved them as a campaign file. You can easily thumb through the maps, and they size easily. I simply had 2 Maptools opened on my Macbook pro, one of them was the server (DM map), the other was logged on as a client (player map) and the player map was projected onto the game table. It really sped up gameplay and was lots of fun for all of us. I don't plan on making any maps, but have found lots of them out there by checking links on rptools.net. I highly recommend Maptools.
Happy gaming | | | |
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Cardboard Carnage
Skirmisher
43 Posts
Montana
| | 12/01/2008 4:05 PM |
| Thanks for the update, I was wondering about it this past weekend, so I am glad to hear all went well.
D.
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D-Rock Roberts
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