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====== Resources : Tools for creating illustrated AH content ======

A collection of resources that might come in handy when you decide to create various visual material for your alternate history-themed works.

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==== 1. Free graphics software ====

**[[http://www.gimp.org/|GIMP]]** ("GNU Image Manipulation Program")

**[[http://www.getpaint.net/|Paint.NET]]**

**[[http://inkscape.org/|Ink Scape]]**

**[[http://sketchup.google.com/|Google SketchUP]]**

**[[http://www.blender.org/|Blender]]**

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==== 2. Textures and other useful graphic templates ====

**[[Heraldry|Heraldry Resources]]**

**[[Flags|Flag and Vexillological Resources]]**

**[[Maps|Map and Cartographic Resources]]**

**[[blank_map_directory:directory|The Blank Maps Directory]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=248815|A thread with open source textures useful for creating textured flags]]**

**[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-5790146|Generic template for a British colonial flag (empty dark blue field and a Union Jack in the canton)]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=267984|A set of event icons for maps]]** ([[http://qsec.deviantart.com/art/Logo-for-your-Map-299435621|download link]]; [[http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2013/023/1/a/list_events_by_qsec-d5sgp8i.jpg|+ key to icon meanings link]]), courtesy of [[offtopic:Thomas27]]

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=244442|Photoshop files useful for artworks in political TLs (includes Download Link)]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:Jay Roosevelt]]

**[[http://publicdomainvectors.org/|Public Domain Vectors.org]]** - Royalty-free vector clip art and graphics.

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==== 3. Websites ====

**[[http://flag-designer.appspot.com/#d=9&c1=1&c2=6&c3=7&o=4&c4=6&s=0&c5=3|Scrontch's Flag Designer]]** - [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=326586|Fun with online flag randomizer...]]

**[[https://tools.wmflabs.org/parliamentdiagram/parliamentinputform.html|Parliament Diagram Generator]]** - Very useful tool, primarily intended for Wikipedia templates, but generally useful. See [[http://tools.wmflabs.org/parliamentdiagram/westminsterinputform.html|this page]] for Westminster-style parliamentary diagrams.

**[[http://clonezone.link/|Clonezone.link]]** - Website editor that you can use to edit real websites to make fake ones, if anyone needs help with making fake websites.

**[[http://www.the-blueprints.com/|Blueprints.com]]** - A site with thousands of schematics for various civilian and military vehicles. Probably no fictional models, but you can download the schematics and use them as aid for creating your own AH vehicles.

**[[http://www.shipbucket.com/|Shipbucket.com]]** - A useful little site with tons of pre-drawn pictorial models of various real and alternate military ships and various other vehicles of war. Can come in handy if you're creating a navy-centric TL.

**[[http://www.springsharp.com/|Springsharp.com]]** - "SpringSharp allows you to design "what-if" and "never built" warships between 1850 and 1950 using little more than the specifications in books like Janes Fighting Ships, Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships etc. It applies parametric formulas as used by professional Naval Architects (Mumford,  Parsons, Holtrop & Mennen etc) as well as empirical data based on research on ships (Liners & Warships) of the period to give a soundly grounded and scientific basis to your designs. SpringSharp produces a written report in far more detail than the above resources." 
 
**[[http://pimpmygun.doctornoob.com/|PimpMyGun site]]** - A great flash application for creating pictorial models of various firearms (real modified ones or completely fictional). Has a rather extensive list of pre-built default models and accesories and is regularly udpated.

**[[http://dragonflyteam.free.fr/pimpmyairsoft/|Pimp My Airsoft]]** - Not as good as the above one, but with a little skill, you can still use it to make decent fictional firearms.

**[[http://www.images-graphics-pics.com/signs/sign-generator/simple.asp?text=TOKEN%0D%0Ais+good+for+free+dinner+at+dennys%21%0D%0A-1776-&align=center&fontsize=30&font=signage&color=yellow&color2=&watermark=yes&parody=Custom+Coins&pic=Copper-Penny&x=30&y=50&w=280&h=250|A pretty good custom coin generator]]** 

**[[http://www.onlinewahn.de/generator/m-maker.htm|Another custom coin generator]]** (WARNING : The site that hosts it contains some NSFW stock images.)

**[[http://www.juniorgeneral.org/|Make Your Own Soldiers and Other Military Stuff]]** - Requires decent usage skills of programs to edit figures, once you get the hang of it it works fine.  There are tutorials online. Updated every week with new figures.

**[[http://www.mapsymbs.com/|MapSymbs Homepage]]** - Tom Mouat's NATO Military Map Marking Symbols as TrueType Fonts, and other Military related Resources.

**[[http://www.stackframe.com/SymbolFactory/|Ortelium Symbol Factory]]** - Online generator tool for military map symbols (primarily NATO standards).

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==== 4. Various tips and tutorials ====

Resources by themselves don't create artworks, so you'll have to probably practice and learn certain skills before you create some.

=== Software tutorials ===

**[[http://alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=117827|MSPaint Tutorial - Learn recolouring, diagonal stripes and more !]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:Thande]]

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=264480|Inkscape tutorials]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:Pischinovski]]

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=208848|Map-making with Inkscape]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:LSCatilina]]

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=185662|Map-making with Inkscape]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:Nymain1]]

**[[http://imgur.com/a/wh40b|Layering maps in Paint.net or Photoshop]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:manomow]]

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=== General artwork tutorials ===

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=283049|Illustration Tutorials and Advice Superthread]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:Krall]] et al

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=285446|News Graphics Tutorial]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:Septimus]]

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=249094|Useful 1920s-1930s typefaces, newspaper resources, and telegram templates]]**, courtesy of Color-Copycat

**[[https://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=4987|Tutorials in PDF Format]]**, courtesy of [[http://www.cartographersguild.com/forum.php|www.cartographersguild.com]]

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=== Maps ===

**[[resources:Tips on making good maps]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/zagans-map-tutorial.389193/|Zăgan's Map Tutorial]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:Zagan]]

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=158394|Tutorial on making satellite maps]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:MNP]]

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=208848|Map-making with Inkscape]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:LSCatilina]]

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=185662|Map-making with Inkscape]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:Nymain1]]

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=49868|A really quick and easy way to make realistic fantasy maps]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:EdT]]

**[[http://www.fantasticmaps.com/|Fantastic Maps.com]]** - Fantasy maps and mapmaking tutorials by Jonathan Roberts.

**[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-6792527|Brief map-making tips 1]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:rvbomally]]

**[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-6793135|Brief map-making tips 2]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:Alex Richards]]

**[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-7476508|Historical style map making in Inkscape and Photoshop]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic: Blomma]]

**[[http://www.cartographersguild.com/tutorials-how/874-making-not-so-random-coastlines-gimp.html#post7096|Making not so random coastlines in GIMP]]**, courtesy of [[http://www.cartographersguild.com/forum.php|www.cartographersguild.com]]

**[[http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/069/2/6/map_making_tutorial_by_intrepidtee-d4saava.png|Tutorial for Making Alternate History Maps]]**, courtesy of IntrepidTee

**[[http://orig11.deviantart.net/a155/f/2014/353/3/8/tutorial_on_modern_style_maps_by_kuusinen-d8abeif.png|Modern-style map tutorial (using GIMP and Inkscape)]]**, courtesy of  Kuusinen

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=296444|Creating Fantasy Borders Easily]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:DoomBunny]]

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=291553|The Map Conversion Thread]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:VulcanTrekkie45|VT45]]

**[[http://imgur.com/a/wh40b|Layering maps in Paint.net or Photoshop]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:manomow]]

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=369896|Lifelines Of Logistics - How To (Not) Draw Your Transit Maps/Diagrams]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:Dr. Nodelescu]]

**"So you want to make a map" tutorial series by Alex Richards: [[https://www.sealionpress.co.uk/post/so-you-want-to-make-a-map-part-1|Part 1]], [[https://www.sealionpress.co.uk/post/so-you-want-to-make-a-map-part-ii|Part 2]], [[https://www.sealionpress.co.uk/post/so-you-want-to-make-a-map-part-iii|Part 3]], [[https://www.sealionpress.co.uk/post/so-you-want-to-make-a-map-part-iv|Part 4]], [[https://www.sealionpress.co.uk/post/so-you-want-to-make-a-map-part-v|Part 5]], [[https://www.sealionpress.co.uk/post/so-you-want-to-make-a-map-part-vi|Part 6]], [[https://www.sealionpress.co.uk/post/so-you-want-to-make-a-map-part-vii|Part 7]]**

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=== Flags ===

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=357499|How to make good flags on mobile devices]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=188259|Tips for designing flags of ATL fascist nations]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=240512|Tips for designing flags of ATL communist nations]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/confederate-national-symbols-emblems.17351/|Confederate National Symbols/Emblems]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=146914|The flag of a British Republic ?]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=317251|WI: All Nations had Nepal style Flags?]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=199665|Proposals for a flag of a Swedish SSR]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/alternate-symbols-for-nationalist-fascist-germany.218311/|Alternate symbols for Nationalist/Fascist Germany]]**

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=== Illustrations and models ===

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=182108|How To Create a Good AH Wikipedia Article]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:xnm|Richard Harrow]]

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=264558|Yli's Armoured Fighting Vehicles Tutorials]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:YLi]]

  * **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-7047610|Part I: Narrative and Aesthetics]]**
  * **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-7051146|Part 2: Mission, Equipment, Terrain, Troops, Time, Mission]]**
  * **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-7054682|Part III/1: On Crew and Crewing]]**
  * **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-7056985|Part III/2: Crew Layout]]**
  * **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-7063033|Part IV: The Strategic Considerations of Building Your War Machine]]**
  * **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-7067678|Part V: Building Your Tank and Dodging the Plausibility Police]]**
  * **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-7069673|Part VI/1: Laying Down the Basics]]**
  * **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-7070122|Part VI/2: Laying Down the Basics]]** 
  * **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-7080462|Part VII/1: A Brief Primer on Engines]]**
  * **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-7135083|Part VII/2: How Engines Work]]**
  * **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-7139239|Part VII/3: How Engines Work]]**
  * **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-7368336|Part VII/4: Forced Induction in Engines]]**
  * **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-7456531|Part VIII: Tanks, Machine Guns and Blind Spots]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=218561|Claymore's Alternate History Armoured Fighting Vehicles Thread]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:Claymore]]

  * **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-7031802|Step 1: Planning]]**
  * **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-7031833|Step 2: Preparation & Step 3: Dressing Down]]**
  * **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-7031841|Step 4: Trying Various Combinations]]**
  * **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-7031844|Step 5: Painting the Model]]**

**[[http://www.shipbucket.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3743&hilit=guide+destroyer|Generic ship drawing guide]]**, courtesy of the contributors to the Shipbucket.com forums

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=== Wikiboxes and infoboxes ===

**[[resources:Infobox tutorial]]**

**[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/wikibox.413017/|Wikibox tutorial 1]]**

**[[https://imgur.com/4kycJJM|Wikibox tutorial 2]]**

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==== See Also ====

**[[resources:Flags|Flag and Vexillological Resources]]** - A resource page.

**[[resources:Heraldry|Heraldry Resources]]** - A resource page.

**[[resources:maps|Map and Cartography Resources]]** - A resource page.

**[[alternate history:Alternate History Media]]** - A collection of threads containing alternate history artworks made by the members of the board.

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==== Navigation ====

**[[resources:resources|Useful Resources Main Directory]]**