Tutorial: Satellite Map Making by MNPundit
Note: It would be great if someone found it useful enough to sticky this.
Introduction
Not all of us can be famous map makers like say, Diamond. For those that want to forge in that direction best of luck and I'll be right there with you. Currently I've done a number of different styles both for myself in my own The Raptor of Spain, and a few other TLs. Generally I use a variety of methods but the one I call "Satellite Map Making" is one everyone can use fairly easily and I thought I'd share it here. The benefits of Satellite Map Making are that you can get an accurate picture of today's landmasses, show appropriate terrain and vegetation and place things like cities and roads more accurately. I've found it's a great way to pack a lot of information into a map and display it with significant accuracy. Maybe the biggest benefit is that all it takes is time. You can do it all with free programs.
Step 1: Tools
There are number of tools we need. First and foremost we will need a graphics editing program. I currently use CS2, but not everyone can obtain this program legally or otherwise. A free option is GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) which is located at http://www.gimp.org/ for Windows XP. If you don't have windows, the most important thing is to find a graphics editor with the ability to do layers as a lot of this depends on layers and layer effects.
The next program you will need is a virtual globe. These are programs like Google Earth. I actually don't use Google Earth, I use NASA World Wind, (WW) a free government program that can be downloaded at http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/java. While older versions of World Wind were specifically for windows, the Java version is multi-platform.
Now while you can make the map using just what is provided in World Wind, I also download a number of World Wind Add-Ons to give the image that little extra. That's optional. The Add-Ons I use are:
Step 2: Setting Up the Base Map
Now that we have these programs up and running it's time to get to creating the basemap. When I tried this in GIMP I had a hard time getting the layers to work right but I did it. A layer tutorial in GIMP can be found at http://www.tankedup-imaging.com/gimp/layers.html for GIMP 2.6.
Anyhow, first open your graphics editor then open up your virtual globe. On WW play around a bit so you get a feel for the program then center the screen on the landmass you want to map. In this case we'll be doing an upcoming map for RoS, Cyprus, which will soon became a Vassal State of the Christian Umayyads of Toledo.
1. Take a Screenshot of Cyprus and then toggle to your graphics editor.
2. Create a new image and paste it onto the blank space. Usually this will open at the resolution of your screen but if not, just adjust it so it matches. Mine is 1280 x 1024.
3. Check to make sure it's how you want it. My WW defaults to selecting the landsat which makes it unusable. If that happens click once to remove it.
--Illustration 1-- --Illustration 2--
4. Once you have pasted the image into your graphics editor, go back to WW and select a new view under the layer manager (Illustration 3 and 4 ) and take a new screen shot. If you are using photoshop it will automatically great a new layer. If you are using GIMP select Layer from the Menu Bar, then New Layer as in Illustration 5. Once the new layer has been created, simply paste your screenshot onto it and repeat the process until you have 3 layers..
-Illustration 3 - - - - - - - - - - Illustration 4-
----Illustration 5----
Now the Natural Earth might look a little bad. It's not created for the level of zoom I am using in WW. If you pull it back some it will start to look good pretty quickly. Natural Earth is also optional. The Demis layer won't actually be used in the final product--it helps you see where the roads and cities are. I generally don't bother to rename the layers, but I will this time to make it easier to follow. I renamed them the Satellite Layer the Natural Earth Layer and the Demis Layer (illustration 6).
Step 3. Creating the Base Map
Now that you have all the layers in place, it's time to set up the base map. I have set the Natural Earth Layer to Soft Light. Set the Satellite Layer to Darken Only or Darken if using Photoshop (illustration 6). The Demis Layer remains Normal.
--- Illustration 6 ---
Now, there are a number of techniques and styles you can use from this point out including duplicating the layers and changing their modes, opacity and fill attribute (photoshop only for the fill). In this particular tutorial I am going to include another layer that is a harder more advanced method. This is optional but can provide good results.
Step 4. Rezising outside layers (OPTIONAL STEP)
On Wikipedia there are a number of very nice topographical maps for a lot of countries. Search for Geography of Cyprus in the wiki search box and find the topographical map, select it and save it to your computer.
---Illustration 7---
Now, create a new layer as before and paste it in. Obviously you see what's going on. It's too big! Now before we begin, this is a LOT easier in photoshop. In GIMP, when you resize the layer you can't see what is below it, or at least, I haven't figured out how yet. In photoshop once yet set the opacity to 50% you can just adjust the layer to fit the size you've already chosen for your map. As I said before, this is optional and you may want to consider skipping this if you are using GIMP. In GIMP if you want to try it, select the Scale Tool from the Toolbox. In Photoshop just hit CTRL-T, grab a little box and start resizing.
Anyhow, I dragged this layer to the bottom, making it my "base" layer and left the mode as normal.
Step 5: Making Borders
Now how to make your borders? If you know exactly what you want already, that's great but even if you do this can help you. Do a search on Wiki Commons for "Administrative Divisions of X" where X is whatever country you are trying to map. In this case, Cyprus. I get a handy map listing major areas and municipalities.
--- Illustration 8 ---
I add this in a new layer and title it Overlays. There's no reason to call it this, but over the months this is what I've traditionally called it. Different countries have different divisions, in making maps of Spain for instance I use a comarca map and arrondissements for France. Anyhow the reason for using OTL administrative divisions is that they evolved naturally based on political, geographic boundaries. In a lot of places they make sense based on landform. Anyhow set the Overlays layer to Multiply and adjust the opacity to what ever is easiest to see.
Now Create a new layer above Overlays and title it Internal Borders. Then draw your internal country divisions on this layer and use the Overlays layer as a guide. You can just trace the divisions exactly, but take into account the changes in your own TL regarding the politics. Geography is mostly going to stay the same but not always and don't be afraid to deviate from the lines, they are handy suggestions only.
Use this in concert with the Demis Layer which can show you where roads and cities are to determine a good placement. Remember, sometimes divisions don't make any sense geographically because humans have weird politics. You can also set the opacity of the Demis and Overlay layers so you can see. You might need to change them on the fly as you can see in Illustration 9. Work with whatever is comfortable to you--this is an an art not a science. To make national borders, simply create a new layer National Borders and draw these in in the same manner. Create one more layer and title it Roads. Then draw your roads in either tracing the modern roads, or wherever you want your roads to go. In Raptor of Spain the Alt-Spaniards know how to build Roman Style Roads and are rich enough to do so, so I often overlay maps of Roman Roads onto my maps and trace those. Since my Alt-Spaniards are also wealthy enough to build some new roads as well, they don't always follow the Roman routes. Sometimes I use modern roads to determine where the best routes are, but beware, sometimes modern roads are built in spots pre-modern peoples couldn't build roads. Check the terrain if you want to be accurate!
----Illustration 9----
For the record, my borders are perfect black (0,0,0) for National Borders and pure white (255, 255, 255) for Internals, while for roads I use pure red (255, 0, 0)
This ends the First Half of the Tutorial. I'm going to post the second half right away too so be patient.
Note: It would be great if someone found it useful enough to sticky this.
TUTORIAL: SATELLITE MAP MAKING
by MNPundit
by MNPundit
Introduction
Not all of us can be famous map makers like say, Diamond. For those that want to forge in that direction best of luck and I'll be right there with you. Currently I've done a number of different styles both for myself in my own The Raptor of Spain, and a few other TLs. Generally I use a variety of methods but the one I call "Satellite Map Making" is one everyone can use fairly easily and I thought I'd share it here. The benefits of Satellite Map Making are that you can get an accurate picture of today's landmasses, show appropriate terrain and vegetation and place things like cities and roads more accurately. I've found it's a great way to pack a lot of information into a map and display it with significant accuracy. Maybe the biggest benefit is that all it takes is time. You can do it all with free programs.
Step 1: Tools
There are number of tools we need. First and foremost we will need a graphics editing program. I currently use CS2, but not everyone can obtain this program legally or otherwise. A free option is GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) which is located at http://www.gimp.org/ for Windows XP. If you don't have windows, the most important thing is to find a graphics editor with the ability to do layers as a lot of this depends on layers and layer effects.
The next program you will need is a virtual globe. These are programs like Google Earth. I actually don't use Google Earth, I use NASA World Wind, (WW) a free government program that can be downloaded at http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/java. While older versions of World Wind were specifically for windows, the Java version is multi-platform.
Now while you can make the map using just what is provided in World Wind, I also download a number of World Wind Add-Ons to give the image that little extra. That's optional. The Add-Ons I use are:
- Natural Earth located at http://worldwindcentral.com/wiki/Add-on:Natural_Earth
- Topographical Earth located at http://worldwindcentral.com/wiki/Add-on:Topographical_Earth
- Demis World Map located at http://worldwindcentral.com/wiki/Add-on:Demis_WorldMap
Step 2: Setting Up the Base Map
Now that we have these programs up and running it's time to get to creating the basemap. When I tried this in GIMP I had a hard time getting the layers to work right but I did it. A layer tutorial in GIMP can be found at http://www.tankedup-imaging.com/gimp/layers.html for GIMP 2.6.
Anyhow, first open your graphics editor then open up your virtual globe. On WW play around a bit so you get a feel for the program then center the screen on the landmass you want to map. In this case we'll be doing an upcoming map for RoS, Cyprus, which will soon became a Vassal State of the Christian Umayyads of Toledo.
1. Take a Screenshot of Cyprus and then toggle to your graphics editor.
2. Create a new image and paste it onto the blank space. Usually this will open at the resolution of your screen but if not, just adjust it so it matches. Mine is 1280 x 1024.
3. Check to make sure it's how you want it. My WW defaults to selecting the landsat which makes it unusable. If that happens click once to remove it.
--Illustration 1-- --Illustration 2--
4. Once you have pasted the image into your graphics editor, go back to WW and select a new view under the layer manager (Illustration 3 and 4 ) and take a new screen shot. If you are using photoshop it will automatically great a new layer. If you are using GIMP select Layer from the Menu Bar, then New Layer as in Illustration 5. Once the new layer has been created, simply paste your screenshot onto it and repeat the process until you have 3 layers..
-Illustration 3 - - - - - - - - - - Illustration 4-
----Illustration 5----
Now the Natural Earth might look a little bad. It's not created for the level of zoom I am using in WW. If you pull it back some it will start to look good pretty quickly. Natural Earth is also optional. The Demis layer won't actually be used in the final product--it helps you see where the roads and cities are. I generally don't bother to rename the layers, but I will this time to make it easier to follow. I renamed them the Satellite Layer the Natural Earth Layer and the Demis Layer (illustration 6).
Step 3. Creating the Base Map
Now that you have all the layers in place, it's time to set up the base map. I have set the Natural Earth Layer to Soft Light. Set the Satellite Layer to Darken Only or Darken if using Photoshop (illustration 6). The Demis Layer remains Normal.
--- Illustration 6 ---
Now, there are a number of techniques and styles you can use from this point out including duplicating the layers and changing their modes, opacity and fill attribute (photoshop only for the fill). In this particular tutorial I am going to include another layer that is a harder more advanced method. This is optional but can provide good results.
Step 4. Rezising outside layers (OPTIONAL STEP)
On Wikipedia there are a number of very nice topographical maps for a lot of countries. Search for Geography of Cyprus in the wiki search box and find the topographical map, select it and save it to your computer.
---Illustration 7---
Now, create a new layer as before and paste it in. Obviously you see what's going on. It's too big! Now before we begin, this is a LOT easier in photoshop. In GIMP, when you resize the layer you can't see what is below it, or at least, I haven't figured out how yet. In photoshop once yet set the opacity to 50% you can just adjust the layer to fit the size you've already chosen for your map. As I said before, this is optional and you may want to consider skipping this if you are using GIMP. In GIMP if you want to try it, select the Scale Tool from the Toolbox. In Photoshop just hit CTRL-T, grab a little box and start resizing.
Anyhow, I dragged this layer to the bottom, making it my "base" layer and left the mode as normal.
Step 5: Making Borders
Now how to make your borders? If you know exactly what you want already, that's great but even if you do this can help you. Do a search on Wiki Commons for "Administrative Divisions of X" where X is whatever country you are trying to map. In this case, Cyprus. I get a handy map listing major areas and municipalities.
--- Illustration 8 ---
I add this in a new layer and title it Overlays. There's no reason to call it this, but over the months this is what I've traditionally called it. Different countries have different divisions, in making maps of Spain for instance I use a comarca map and arrondissements for France. Anyhow the reason for using OTL administrative divisions is that they evolved naturally based on political, geographic boundaries. In a lot of places they make sense based on landform. Anyhow set the Overlays layer to Multiply and adjust the opacity to what ever is easiest to see.
Now Create a new layer above Overlays and title it Internal Borders. Then draw your internal country divisions on this layer and use the Overlays layer as a guide. You can just trace the divisions exactly, but take into account the changes in your own TL regarding the politics. Geography is mostly going to stay the same but not always and don't be afraid to deviate from the lines, they are handy suggestions only.
Use this in concert with the Demis Layer which can show you where roads and cities are to determine a good placement. Remember, sometimes divisions don't make any sense geographically because humans have weird politics. You can also set the opacity of the Demis and Overlay layers so you can see. You might need to change them on the fly as you can see in Illustration 9. Work with whatever is comfortable to you--this is an an art not a science. To make national borders, simply create a new layer National Borders and draw these in in the same manner. Create one more layer and title it Roads. Then draw your roads in either tracing the modern roads, or wherever you want your roads to go. In Raptor of Spain the Alt-Spaniards know how to build Roman Style Roads and are rich enough to do so, so I often overlay maps of Roman Roads onto my maps and trace those. Since my Alt-Spaniards are also wealthy enough to build some new roads as well, they don't always follow the Roman routes. Sometimes I use modern roads to determine where the best routes are, but beware, sometimes modern roads are built in spots pre-modern peoples couldn't build roads. Check the terrain if you want to be accurate!
----Illustration 9----
For the record, my borders are perfect black (0,0,0) for National Borders and pure white (255, 255, 255) for Internals, while for roads I use pure red (255, 0, 0)
This ends the First Half of the Tutorial. I'm going to post the second half right away too so be patient.
Last edited: