Sukritact's Cartography Outline

[0Artur0]

Thanks guys.
Yes, the white band is part of the flag but I agree it's probably a bit too strong. I'll darken it a bit.
I'll make some icons next

 

[Pouakai]

Okay, so while I was away I decided to try my hand at another map, taking in (hopefully) some of the advice from here. I've ended up with two versions, the first from while I was away and the second once I got back - feedback on both appreciated:

 

[turingmachine]

Okay, so while I was away I decided to try my hand at another map, taking in (hopefully) some of the advice from here. I've ended up with two versions, the first from while I was away and the second once I got back - feedback on both appreciated:

I like the second one as you can more clearly delineate between what's land and the sea.

 

[DiogenesK9]

I like the second one as you can more clearly delineate between what's land and the sea.

I agree, but I like the crease paper better on the first one.

 

[Geredis]

Yeah, I like the papering of the first, the rest on the second. Also, perhaps you should change the legend in the corner.

Castro wasn't in power till '59...and you have c.1950. Wouldn't c.1960 be more appropriate? Relatively minor but quite hard to ignore if you notice it.

 

[Pouakai]

Okay, so here's a new version with a different paper texture, some changes to the text sizes and a fix to the date error (Thanks for the heads-up Geredis!) - the paper texture change has also changed the colour a fair bit, so hopefully you lot like it. As usual, feedback is greatly appreciated!

 

[sukritact]

Very nice! I quite like the style!

 

[Pouakai]

Thanks! I didn't lock the geographic label to Cuba yet, since I forgot what the setting was that you told me to use - what was it again?

 

[sukritact]

Clipping Mask, just right click and it should be in the drop down menu;

If you're going to do that, I'd suggest you try and adjust the text first; it's hard to read as it is.

 

[Pouakai]

I wanted a go at the Clipping Mask in earnest, so I decided to take a crack at an inland map. As if I hadn't hijacked the thread enough, here's my first go at Nubia. I'm not sure about the Pyramids in the corner though (at the very least)

 

[turingmachine]

I wanted a go at the Clipping Mask in earnest, so I decided to take a crack at an inland map. As if I hadn't hijacked the thread enough, here's my first go at Nubia. I'm not sure about the Pyramids in the corner though (at the very least)

I actually really like it. It's one of those maps that makes the empty space still look really good thanks to the colors even without a lot of symbols.

Suggestions:

Shrink "Nubia" slightly so it fits completely in the area with some space around it. Then right lick the layer "alpha to selection" the text of "Nubia" and delete that selection from the background design you have overlaying the Nubian land (at least that's how you would do it in Gimp, not sure about photoshop). I think this would give it a cleaner look.

Make the "Red Sea" text more pronounced. Maybe change it to a base white instead of a base darker color. White overlaying blue always looks good.

I like the pyramids there but maybe you can find a nicer image to overlay. I'm sure there must be a pyramid sketch somewhere floating around the internet you could use.

 

[sukritact]

What he said.

In Photoshop, you just ctrl click the layer you would like to make the selection from.

 

[Craig_Sutter]

Here's my latest using some of the guidelines in this tutorial:

 

[TPangolin]

Here's what I just made!

Spoiler :

Thanks a bunch . I'd also love some feedback

 

[sukritact]

To both the above; the first thing is suggest is adjust the colors; there's not enough harmony in the colors so they all clash! Otherwise, Craig_Sutter, I suggest you change the layer mode fot the embellishments as to get rid of the white; try vivid light (if you use PS) and adjust the fill. TPangolin, I dunno how you're doing the texture, but it feels like water or wood at the moment, try a more regular paper texture.

 

[Craig_Sutter]

TPangolin, I really like the embellishments you've used.

That's one of the hardest things I'm finding is to get good embellishments.

 

[TPangolin]

I was actually just using Satellite Data Imagery for the Aussie Desert

I've also made an effort to blend in the colours more, to make it less jarring. I wont deviate from this pallete though seeing as Green, Gold, Blue, Red and White are the national colors.

Spoiler :

 

[Craig_Sutter]

I've changed some of the embellishments by using the burn effect... hopefully they do not look too shadowy.

Spoiler :

Here is a map I wish to use for Normandy. I worried that the Bayeaux tapestry overlay effect might be too strong.

Figured out how to put a black border around text... now the text shows up nicely...Is there any way I can get the main title (the white writing) to stand out more... it is easy to see against the ocean dark blue, but it tends to blend in too much with the land colour I used... any suggestions? If I were to change colours, I am worried that too dark a colour would take focus away from the main focus of the man, the Norman territories. The dull paper colour I am using tends to accentuate the more colourful red territories, an effect I would like to keep if possible.

Spoiler :

 

[sukritact]

Sorry to all for the slow replies.

@TPangolin: You must try playing around a bit more! That particular combination is be no means difficult to achieve nicely. Take a look at these:

Spoiler :

Is there any way I can get the main title (the white writing) to stand out more... it is easy to see against the ocean dark blue, but it tends to blend in too much with the land colour I used... any suggestions? If I were to change colours, I am worried that too dark a colour would take focus away from the main focus of the man, the Norman territories. The dull paper colour I am using tends to accentuate the more colourful red territories, an effect I would like to keep if possible.

What you can do is this, apply a drop shadow with the blend mode set to normal, change the color of the shadow to something that will help increase contrast whilst still appearing normal (you can try using an area eyedropper to get the average of land and sea and work from there).

Alternatively, just set the blend mode to overlay (or any other blending mode) and change the color accordingly to increase contrast; you should try adjusting values to make it as subtle as possible.

Spoiler :

As a side note I suggest you rotate the texture on the red territory so that it doesn't go in the same direction as the texture of the oceans and land. Also, decrease the texture effect on the non-territorial land, the map is looking a bit too busy...

To the both of you, try using a grungy paper texture as well, that's what really gives the feel of parchment!

 

[TheBladeRoden]

I'd thought I'd have a go at it

Spoiler :

Yes, the historical inaccuracies are deliberate