I second this question! I love your maps and they are super evocative. I'm wondering how players actually interact with them, and how a DM brings them to life. Especially knowing that you, yourself, often use maps that are much more basic.
@@smccoli3141 I have been using different iso map packs and assets from roll20 to craft the dungeons and locations in descent into avernus. I use photoshop mostly. As long as you have the grid in clear view for the players and you are clear on movement rules you should be honestly fine in-game. Had a few sessions now and my players are enjoying the perspective change.
Kyle I would love to see your thought process as you are coming up with a map design. Like how you decide what the theme will be, where elements go, all that jazz. You always add such nice touches to your maps and such lovely details.
I'd love to see a link to the isometric notepad and ellipse stencils you used. I've never seen them before and they look really helpful. Get an affiliate link, I might as well support you if I'm buying!
@@imperfectimp that is highly dependent on the software Blender is X left-right, Y front-back, Z up-down Unity is X left-right, Y up-down, Z front-back Unreal is X front-back, Y left-right, Z up-down and that's 3 of the biggest software that deals with 3D geometry in the industry... you can imagine how wildly things vary outside of that
X/Y being the floor is reasonable, but X/Y could also be the default vertical view plane. I think he’s doing the latter here. It’s much more disorienting that he says “access” instead of “axis,” imo.
You've got some amazing work here, do you ever use a drafting board and a 30/60/90 triangle? I imagine it would make some things seem less organic, but it would certainly make things like stairs easier. Perhaps it could be suited to a drafting layer, and the final freehanded over it for style? I'd be interested to see a video on that if you're game.
@@mapcrow I used to sketch during school so much, but being out of school killed that haha. Also a girl in school once saw me doodling instead of taking notes and took a jab at me for it, and that slowed me down :P
Anybody remember The Secret City drawing program for kids on PBS back in the late 80s and early 90s, hosted by Cmdr. Rick? Getting big Secret City vibes from that map at the end
showing the map at the end of the video felt a lot like the "how to draw an owl" meme. Step 1: draw some circles. Step 2: Draw the rest of the f---ing dungeon. Great video though haha.
Can you make a video on how you actually use these maps in-game?
I second this question! I love your maps and they are super evocative. I'm wondering how players actually interact with them, and how a DM brings them to life. Especially knowing that you, yourself, often use maps that are much more basic.
Third
@@smccoli3141 I have been using different iso map packs and assets from roll20 to craft the dungeons and locations in descent into avernus. I use photoshop mostly. As long as you have the grid in clear view for the players and you are clear on movement rules you should be honestly fine in-game. Had a few sessions now and my players are enjoying the perspective change.
i love when everything is made of little cubes
Kyle I would love to see your thought process as you are coming up with a map design. Like how you decide what the theme will be, where elements go, all that jazz. You always add such nice touches to your maps and such lovely details.
you don't even know the joy it brought to my heart to finally be able to draw stairs in a map. thank you, sincerally.
I'd love to see a link to the isometric notepad and ellipse stencils you used. I've never seen them before and they look really helpful. Get an affiliate link, I might as well support you if I'm buying!
The Y Axis being vertical and the Z being horizontal really hits that angry goblin part of my brain. Otherwise, fantastic video.
Why? It's the convention in 3D design, from videogames to modeling software that Y is up and Z is forward/backward.
@@imperfectimp that is highly dependent on the software
Blender is X left-right, Y front-back, Z up-down
Unity is X left-right, Y up-down, Z front-back
Unreal is X front-back, Y left-right, Z up-down
and that's 3 of the biggest software that deals with 3D geometry in the industry... you can imagine how wildly things vary outside of that
X/Y being the floor is reasonable, but X/Y could also be the default vertical view plane. I think he’s doing the latter here. It’s much more disorienting that he says “access” instead of “axis,” imo.
This helps so much! I knew about the cubes, walls and what not but did not even think about the arch of the door. Thank you so much.
My pleasure! Thank you for watching!!
You've got some amazing work here, do you ever use a drafting board and a 30/60/90 triangle? I imagine it would make some things seem less organic, but it would certainly make things like stairs easier. Perhaps it could be suited to a drafting layer, and the final freehanded over it for style?
I'd be interested to see a video on that if you're game.
These videos are fascinating. Makes me want to take art classes and make my own stuff!
Art classes are fun! But also, so is just learning by making a beautiful mess in your sketchbook!!
@@mapcrow I used to sketch during school so much, but being out of school killed that haha. Also a girl in school once saw me doodling instead of taking notes and took a jab at me for it, and that slowed me down :P
@@FlutesLoot Yeah, school can be a very unsafe place for artists. It was the same for me when I was younger.
Fascinating. Learned so much.
You explained this very well. I think I have a template need to dig that little friend out for sure.
Thank you! For small stuff, I don't mess with the template, but anything larger than a half inch is worth it!
This really reminds me of a sketching show I used to watch as a kid. I wish I could remember what it was called.
Commander Mark??
@@mapcrow yes that’s it! I hadn’t thought about it in ages
Your work is incredible!
Thank you!!
Oh! Could you link to the ellipse template you use?
Your last map is beatiful!!!
Thank you so much!!
Anybody remember The Secret City drawing program for kids on PBS back in the late 80s and early 90s, hosted by Cmdr. Rick? Getting big Secret City vibes from that map at the end
One of my favorite shows as a kid! Taught me a lot about drawing!!
so you have a link to the stencil/template that you used? your art is terrific!
Same principle on normal Square grid maps as well?
Yeah, basically, except you won’t see the sides as much.
@@mapcrow Have you've done an example of that?
Where can I get isometric paper ?
I just added a link in the description!
This is so practical!
I will get a stencil to help improve my mapping.
showing the map at the end of the video felt a lot like the "how to draw an owl" meme. Step 1: draw some circles. Step 2: Draw the rest of the f---ing dungeon. Great video though haha.
Just found your channel, very cool videos (=
"the rest is on easy street" lol :)
I have a tendency to speak like a 1930's detective movie. Haha
Magnífico