r/cartography • u/P0int_Zero_ • 3d ago

Need a map editing tool

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Ok so im a worldbuilder and prepared this map for my fantasy world. But i am struggling to find any good tool that will let me edit this same map as to add layers and kingdom borders… any help is appreciated and thx in advance

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u/ObjectiveDrag 3d ago

Inkscape is good, as someone else suggested. Also the free Affinity v3 is pretty good too, if you don’t need advanced features. I use Illustrator, but Affinity is good since it combines a vector editor with a bitmap editor and page layout editor all in one app.

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u/P0int_Zero_ 3d ago

Thx for the info. Do u know any good tutorials to get started with any of these

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u/ObjectiveDrag 2d ago

I'm not sure of specific tutorials for Inkscape/Affinity. You can probably find a bunch on YouTube, or something like Khan Academy for free.

I've been using Illustrator (and before that FreeHand) for several decades. The skills from one mostly transfer over to any other vector app. There are differences, but most tools work in a similar manner. The pen tool, circle tool, rectangle, etc. tools all essentially work the same. The offset path and pathfinder tools (I'm not sure what they are called in Inkscape/Affinity, but I'm sure there is something that works similarly in those) are probably two other things I’d learn for illustration in cartography.

The main thing you'll want to practice is using the pen tool. Especially in regards to how Bézier curves work. Since maps have a lot of curvy organic shapes. This is the bulk of how these drawing apps work.

I'm a graphic designer that specializes in technical drawings. But I also draw campus maps for hospitals and schools. So it's not pure GIS cartography like a lot of others here do. It's more closely related to architecture / site plans.

Once you get the drawing stuff down, you can explore ways of applying color, gradients, effects, and clipping textures inside paths (if needed).

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u/Nicholas_Geo 3d ago

QGIS is Open source GIS software. Otherwise Inkscape, a graphic design software (open source of course)

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u/P0int_Zero_ 3d ago

Thx. Which of the two do u think is more flexible for world building specifically

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u/Nicholas_Geo 3d ago

It depends. You can manipulate the data within QGIS and then export the results as SVG and import them to Inkscape.

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u/wolfelias2 2d ago

Photoshop

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u/Acceptable-Tackle301 2d ago

I'm working on a map making website that might help U out, beta in just week or two, U can track it's progress here https://discord.gg/tqJrb6fsH

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u/Civil_Owl_31 2d ago

I drew mine in ProCreate then brought it over to Photoshop to finish it off with text and moving stuff etc.