Softwear for World Maps

[Volos]

I've been looking for an easy to use softwear that will allow me to draw up maps for my custom world. I need them to look as realistic as possible, for a refrence of what I'm looking for see here. For an example of what I am not looking for see this less than beautiful example.

I've been using AutoRealm, and it is a great program for getting the look of the continents and countries, but I need to fill in the details I've already worked out. I need color, texture, oceans. I know where I want everything to go, I just can't make it look good. Any ideas? Any programs that you know work for this? I've already done up basic maps for my group, so I cannot change the lay of the land all of a sudden. I have to stay within my map's borders, or as close to it as I can manage. Please help.

[Maximum Zersk]

I don't think I'll be able to find Soft clothing for your world maps. I apologize.

Also, what was wrong with the hex map? It looked fine to me.

And if you really want the type of detail in the first map, Photoshop.

[Gullara]

I don't think I'll be able to find Soft clothing for your world maps. I apologize.

Also, what was wrong with the hex map? It looked fine to me.

It is "fine", but is that what he's looking for?

[Maximum Zersk]

No, I suppose not.

But for a map like the first one, you'd need an art program.

[Volos]

It is "fine", but is that what he's looking for?

I'm looking for a way to get a good amount of texture into my maps. I was wondering if there isn't a program that would let me choose a texture and paint it on where I want it.

[Gralamin]

A good resource, for tutorials, software information, and all things maps is The Cartographers Guild.

[Volos]

A good resource, for tutorials, software information, and all things maps is The Cartographers Guild.

This is exaclty what I needed, thank you!

EDIT BELOW

A good resource, for tutorials, software information, and all things maps is The Cartographers Guild.

Thanks again! I found an amazing Tutorial and I've begun working on my map.

This is what I had before, and this is what I've been working on.

[Maximum Zersk]

That's pretty good!

[Echowinds]

Fire Emblem much?

It's probably a work in progress, but clouds don't make for nice water and there's too little detail besides the texture that's not edited to resemble plains and mountains. Also south does not always equal dry and the north doesn't always equal being cold. It may be more realistic to orient vegetation in accordance to coasts and mountains. In general, places deep in land are drier and more extreme in temperature, but one has to keep in mind of trade winds - place close to the coast aren't necessary wet (see Namibia, northern Australia, North Africa).

Keep up the good work though!

[Volos]

Fire Emblem much?

It's probably a work in progress, but clouds don't make for nice water and there's too little detail besides the texture that's not edited to resemble plains and mountains. Also south does not always equal dry and the north doesn't always equal being cold. It may be more realistic to orient vegetation in accordance to coasts and mountains. In general, places deep in land are drier and more extreme in temperature, but one has to keep in mind of trade winds - place close to the coast aren't necessary wet (see Namibia, northern Australia, North Africa).

Keep up the good work though!

I'm just following the tutorial for now, once I figure out all the steps I will start over and redo my map. I have the nature theory figured in for my original map and I will carry that over to the new one once I can customize it.