Here's Wonderdraft! A new fantasy map making application. www.wonderdraft.net/
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"Ok so let's zoom out-" already better than Inkarnate
You had me at Undo... You had me at undo.
Don't mind if we do!
@@JMObyx don't mind if we *undo*
Know what I mean, nudge, nudge, wink wink, say no more, say no more....!
U N D O !
inkarnate has an undo tho
The coastline should be enough for anyone to switch from Inkarnate to this.
Jeremy Williams AND THE UNDO
The Undo is a big one
Inkarnate is free at least
Jeremy Williams it isn’t free so it isn’t for me
Get whatcha pay for, right guys?
Another issue with Inkarnate is ownership of content. When you make something with Inkarnate, even if it is your own world, they own your map.
Good point.
Huge point for me, which is why I won't use it.
you think they'd steal content? sell it? to who?
@@maxw6004 they won't steal your content because it isn't even your content. It's THEIR content. THEY own it. And that's the issue. They might not sell your maps (although they could), but the might demand a cut of your profits if you ever use a map made in Inkarnate in any of your commercial works, even if you have a pro-account. They could even keep you from selling any of your maps at all because they own them, so they get to decide what you can and cannot do with your maps. Now personally I think Inkarnate maps always look a bit amateuristic, so I'd never use them for any professional work, but for those who do consider using Inkarnate maps for anything outside of their own personal D&D games, should expect complications.
that is a huge no for inkarnate.
Between the one-time cost and the fact that it's MY map instead of theirs, I think Wonderdraft is by far the better option.
So do we have a the ownership of the maps and the IPs of the world we created? So it is not like inkarnate pro, and so do we have the rights to market the maps?
@Lien3383 yes, it is. I did contact the creator a few months ago
Simply with this "raise the elevation of the land" feature, Wonderdraft beats Inkarnate, guys
That auto generate tool looks really good for people like me who can't draw whatsoever.
I used to think there is no way in hell that I can learn to draw, but something got me started and I drew my first map. It wasn't really good but it was a nice edition to my campaign. Then I drew another which was much better but still not quite there. After like 3-4 maps and like 40-50 hrs in total over a couple of months I really started to draw pretty good maps and my players are delighted. Ofc, Nate helped me a lot with his tips and tricks on this channel. But don't be afraid to fail a few times in order to master a skill you wish to obtain :)
What I do is copy a coastline off of google maps. Pretty easy and it can produce the most realistic coastlines :p
Everyone _can_ draw... it just requires "years" of practice. Draw a thing every day. I don't care if it's a stick figure or a poop. Once a day and eventually you find your style and flow. Over time, it gets faster and easier.
I learned, on my own, to make some pretty detailed outdoor maps on paint. Just took some practice and figuring things out.
There is no real talent. There is only practice. The only thing in your way is Yourself. You will never be satisfied with your own art. There is not without a reason this saying. You are your own biggest critic. All you need to do is to start with practice and not just stop because you hate your own art.
Another big point, for me, is that Wonderdraft is Downloaded, while Inkarnate is web based only. I'm not a fan of being unable to use a tool without an internet connection, Especially if I was Paying for that tool. Also with Inkarnate, you can only save in the app itself so if anything happens to your data on their end, your out of luck.
I'm able to save my maps as files
@@magicalawnmower4764 Fair enough. I haven't used Inkarnate for a while. Maybe I missed that.
@@magicalawnmower4764 save maps as files only usable on the website?
@@AIgorith No, you can download a jpg or a png version. I've been doing sort of a partial layout, downloading, and editing the result further in PS, but given the sub price, I think I'd prefer to purchase Wonderdraft, instead, especially if I can create my own icons, and HAVE AN UNDO BUTTON! (That's a huge deal. XD)
I have a problem with Inkarnate maps saving with their brush and shovel textures. When I go to edit the map all the land masses and water are gone with only the laid out assets remaining. So I have to keep the window open to edit... even downloading the map comes up as blank (just completely black). In order to keep the work I have to screenshot it. So, hopefully this program works out way better.
I'm working on a novel, and while I love hand drawing my map, I really wanted a program that would allow creating, altering and tweaking my terrain features, city locations and roads in a format that didn't involve destroying my erasers. This was really helpful in informing me for my decision.
Yup, me too. I was looking for mapping software for my new novel. Wonderdraft looks like the solution. Especially since it seems to have a planet-building function.
Have you finished your Novel?
@@HeliosX28 Three years later still a work in progress. 😅 Working on it right now actually.
@@sarahmacdonald955 Keep at it 👍
It’s crazy I just started on my novel and it brought me to this video . I was looking for a good map building solution because illustrator was too time consuming
Important feature is that you can add your own assets to it.
Is adding assets relatively easy? I am looking to create maps for Traveller, Delta Green and Bushido...so these late medieval assets are largely useless - and realistically my needs require a fair amount of flexibility.
@@jameshenderson4876 From the way it looked it was just a file browser so if it's in your computer and it's an image you should be able to add it.
I believe you can add your own to Inkarnate as well, if I'm not mistaken.
@@afriendlyinternetcat4984 you can.
@@afriendlyinternetcat4984 For the pro version, yes.
that river face at 9:04 though
You basically just said, "That river face at 9:04 however."
@@whothennow24 thanks! I'm aware written and spoken english are often intertwined. I'm afraid English is not my first language; i got excited seeing something cool and wanted to share that. Truly sorry you're at a place in life where you have to make a reaction like that on KZhead. Hope you get well soon! Xoxo
whothennow24 r/iamverysmart though
@@timm201 Don't worry about it. Your English was great and anyone that isn't an asshole knows exactly what you meant. That is a very natural use of English.
@@timm201 your usage of though was correct in colloquial english especially online. however that way of using 'though' is extremely new and informal and originally comes from african american dialects, which are all things that assholes like to label as 'incorrect' when it really isnt especially for an informal youtube comment lol
Also: Subscription vs one-time payment. So in the long run Wonderdraft is waaaaaaay cheaper.
you named that city winterhold? stop right there! you have commited crimes against skyrim and her people!
"What say you in your defense?"
"I'm the Jarl's Thane. I demand you let me go at once."
I used to be a cartographer like you...
It's not like he killed a chicken...
Stop You have violated the law!
Wonderdraft has already evolved a ton since this review. Enough so that I think it might warrant another review from you, with all the features, symbols, and fixes it has added.
What about now, does it need a third
@@eosdawn6399 What about now, does it need a fourth?
Fifth! 😄
@@kawajogos Surely that will be the review to end all reviews.
Ah, the world of "Label". Magnificent! :)
Hahaha!
Point of order, it's pronounced "lah-behl".
It's Elvish.
And have you been to the city of Sample Text? Wonderful cuisine.
So I bought this after watching the video. Compared to inkarnate, I think this tool was designed more with a DM or GM in mind. It’s way more user friendly in accomplishing tasks related to making a map that needs to be used. The overlay feature is vital for me in that it allows me to do things like zoom up an area of a kingdom map to create a local map from it while preserving scale. The road, river, and coastline tools are massive time savers. I’m almost moved to tears. I do think inkarnate makes a prettier finished product. The symbols in Wonderdraft seem more 2d to me. But I’ll take that. Besides, it looks like it allows you import your own custom stuff, so maybe that can be rectified. I’m thinking a combination approach might even work better. Make the landmass, add roads and rivers in wonderdraft...import into inkarnate for the mountains and trees and stuff.
Lester Witherspoon Im a fairly new DM and have created a world of several continents by hand on paper. Seeing this made me wonder if it would be possible to import something hand-drawn and modified from there within Womderdraft? I have never tried a computer generated approach to map making but I am definitely interested after seeing how easy to use this program is. Thoughts?
Kyle Evans I’d say it’s worth a try. It’s pretty cheap, so it’s not like it would hurt your wallet that much if you don’t find it useful. I’d prefer to do it all by hand, it’s more about time to me. Using things like Wonderdraft and Inkarnate allows me to have beautiful maps while saving me time. I can use that extra time to flesh out the characters and history of these places, and to work on upcoming plots. Maps are a lot of fun for me...I have to remind myself that it’s just another tool to use to make this story happen. Scan your hand drawn map (or take a photo of it if you’re poor like me with no scanner), import it as the overlay, adjust the grid so the squares (or hexes) line up with the hand drawn map, slide the transparency down so you can see both it and what you’re drawing in Inkarnate, then use the tools in it to sorts trace everything from the original. If you want to make full maps of each area of your continent maps, do the same thing, but zoom up on that area of the original, set the grid/scale appropriately (for me: world = 400 miles per square, region = 100, kingdom = 20, local = 5)
@@MegaDraconus It is quite simple actually scan your map as a png file and you can use it in inkarnate. Granted, the software won't recognize the symbols you used and other stuff but you can add new stuff to it. And there is always the brush option I guess.
Wonderdraft is open to modifcation: users post symbol packs in the subreddit all the time.
Lucas Castro I really need to get on checking that out
I think the thing with the trees not being able to be placed in a big clump was because you didn't click on 'ignore collisions'
Just turn down collision and turn up placement rate
I much prefer purchase to subscription. That said, it’s also clear to me the marketplace has moved on from my preferences.
I’m with you. This program is a rare exception.
Omg, that's far more better than inkarnate, for sure. My books' maps i had to cut off from the final edition because of the lack diversify of inkarnate :/ Thank you very much!
Gabriel Raw go check out the subreddit for new assets
@@hk015 I did, but I still prefer some other options. Inkarnate got a little bit cartoony
@@gabrielraw7979 he may have also meant check out the wonderdraft subreddit
I am going to use wonderdraft now
J
You’ve convinced me! Just bought and downloaded it, so far really happy with the convenience and surprising depth the tools provide! Currently transferring my homebrew 5e map into Wonderdraft - really easy with the overlay tool and ‘raise landmass’ tool. Can’t wait to start digging into the nitty gritty and building cities and rivers and mountains, beyond my original crappy line drawing.
...and some happy little trees live over here
Thank you for painting with me...
I've had a bunch of issues with inkarnate on top of the fact that I wasn't a fan of the style after the big update. I eventually just used handdrawn maps. Would give this a look though. I like the style more.
Gave up with Inkarnate once all my World notes were erased.
I know this is over a year after you originally commented this, but Inkarnate has amazing customer service and even if you aren’t going to use it, I think it would be really helpful to them if you contacted them with your issues.
@@ella4828 I still don't think it comes close to Wonderdraft since it has a paid subscription vs a one time sell, which for many(me included) is really a deal breaker, since many people just make a map once every few times and has more pro options which you would expect from something you pay for, inkarnate is just inferior in many ways and is not worth the money
I'm writing a novel and map making is my number one struggle! Thank you so much for your videos bro! Much love!
Me too, a fantasy. But do we own the ownership and IP of maps we created only by purchasing the software, and are we allowed to put them in the book and market it? That's the only thing stopping me from buying. I even tried contacting Megasploot, but he apparently does not have a public mail, so I had to contact him via Reddit, but still did noy have a feedback. I'm almost out of time, could you please answer me and, if possible, link me a sheet saying this EULA and terms? Thanks!
@@zeusporco5570 Can't think why you wouldn't own any maps you create with this tool. Otherwise it would be like Microsoft owing a book your wrote with Word. You buy the tool, you own the product.
Having an overlay feature makes this an Inkarnate killer for me lmao, I'm just trying to translate my handrawn maps to digitals I can do more various work with. In addition, I'm not too big a fan of Inkarnate's square layout. I like it for localized maps fine, but a world map just feels impossible to achieve, at least the way I make it
You can actually use free browser plugins like PerfectPixel (Chrome) to add overlay images.
@@justininexile3445 thanks! I do think Inkarnate might be good for making local maps or urban and dungeon areas, so I'll work something like that in the future
I'm glad you make videos. I dont think I would have ever found this!
Having seen demonstrations between Wonderdraft and Inkarnate now, I feel safe to say this is definitely an Inkarnate killer. Thanks for showing it off!
i literally just sat here and watched this whole video. this looks so awesome
Your channel was incedibly helpful in looking for a world creator for our school. Thank you for the thorough review of various tools. We did end up getting the Wonderdraft based off this video :-)
I like Inkarnate for its simplicity. It's kinda the tricycle (saying that lovingly) of map design versus the tandem bicycle on a high wire that is Photoshop. But that being said, there are just a lot of little simple things that make it frustrating to use. Wonderdraft looks amazing and seems to be that nice happy half-way point between Inkarnate and Photoshoping! Thank you so much for sharing this and bringing it to our attention!!!!
No problem. Thanks for watching!
Your video made me buy the software .... thanks mate !
Huh, i didn't know there was applications for this, I've been hand drawing my maps on paper with fine pencils, this'll definitely speed up making less important maps, mostly for friends dnd, i enjoy drawing mine but this'll be great for other's. Nice video man
Oh my god this gets me unreasonably excited. I'm buying this the second I get off work.
Thanks for the review! New to maps and fantasy world building. Sticking with hand drawn so far but glad to know there is map software that is approaching good art software.
This makes for a beautiful map! WOW! This software looks really good.
This is amazing! How am I only now discovering this?
A big plus for me is that you can make much bigger maps in Wonderdraft. Inkarnate only supports up to 2048 pixels map, while Wonderdraft supports up to 8196 pixels. I like to have my maps as big as possible, so I can really get detailed with them.
Thx for sharing, just needed one of this tool to explain some dungeons for my how to channel for some games. This seems enough for what I need to work on. Thx for saving me some time.
I found this just in time. I'm getting started with map making, so I tried the free version of Inkarnate. Wasn't really in love with it, but I was going to get the pro version just because I couldn't find a better alternative. Now I do!
Thanks for introducing me to Inkarnate. Pretty neat tool!
really helped me with learning the program and convincing me that its definitely worth the price! Great Video! Pretty much saved my campaign as I was struggling massively
i've been planning on getting this for a while
Thank you sooo much for the in depth review. This is going to help me immensely!
You are very welcome.
wow this is amazing gonna have to pick this up
Went and bought it. Was even on sale! Thanks!
Well dang you sure sold me on THAT map maker program once you started slapping some big mountains, dotted trails & winding rivers... :D
Woah this looks so neat! I think I could save up so much time with this app instead of doing the full process - manually drawing the map, inking it out, scanning and then editing. Although on the other hand, I really like the entire process :D decisions decisions...
Thank you for showing this
Very nice program. Very useful video! Thanks!
Just messing around and you made a great looking colored map in under an hour. That speaks volumes in itself.
I'm glad that in this video, you really decided to let your hair down and get extremely creative here. Haha! Seriously though, great job and this really helps.
Would love to see an updated review a few years later. I grabbed it a year ago and a lot has happened. I really like it but it's always nice to hear what a seasoned mapmaker think about it.
It seems to have a good blend of easy to use and does what I want it to. Thanks.
Why have I not come across this before?! I've recently been getting into digitalizing my maps for my stories but been frustrated with the lack of royalty-free brushes (I use GIMP 2.10) and do not have much talent in symbol drawing beyond the compass rose. Never picked up InkarnatePro because of the subscription, but this resolves so much! Thank you for posting this very informative video, and I shall go pick up Wonderdraft!
Thank you for this.
THANKS FOR THIS! Will definitely get this software now as well as the Fantasy buildings. Would like a more hard science fiction pack. Using this to help me with development of a world/universe I'm writing a series of novels about.
just did a test map in Wonderdraft after trying out the free version of Inkarnate and I much prefer Wonderdraft (if just for the undo function alone). The ability to use my tablet to draw is also a huge plus for me, and I assume the asset library will grow over time. In my limited time with it so far, I'm really enjoying Wonderdraft. This was a very helpful review.
Definitly gonna check this out. It looks super neat.
Great content. Thank you for the video.
I think some competition is really good, i'll gonna wait and see what is coming out ahead. Some good times at the horizon for cartographers.
This reminds me of a system I built all the assets for back in 2011 for one of our games. The assets I made were modern though. If you have Photoshop you can set up layers to do each of these effects. Then when you want to make a map, just edit the layers. :)
Thanks for sharing this. Seems like a solid program.
You just got another person to buy it! Amazing video sir!
This looks so much nicer than Inkarnate! 20$ is a price, though, but an affordable expense for a dedicated worldbuilder, I feel.
I'm a cartographer and just now learning about this and I'm sold!
Hey there new viewer here and new DM for DnD 5e. At about 3:00, you said with Inkarnate you couldn't use a stylus to draw maps. I just wanted to let you know that I've had success with a stylus while using a Surface Pro, so maybe there's a way for you to get that to work. I like your videos, you do a great job of giving both pros and cons while comparing products, and you've brought a lot of DM tools to my attention. Thanks for your time and effort #WASD20 :)
I was searching a tool to makes map that look pro and this video has convinced tp go with this one !
Very useful video. I bought this program a few days ago. It also has 2 packs that I didn't buy yet for 9,99 dollars each. Fantasy and the other one is called pirates. I also noticed that there are 2 versions of this program. The old version and the 1.7 version which seems to come with extra stuff.
Bought it a week ago, learning it slowly but it's actually intuitive.
Really nice app. It is a great starting point for those who want to go with pen and paper afterwards and gives you a little bit of experience.
Was about to purchase Inkarnate until I saw your Video. Thanks for the Review!
So in most of the cases it's basically a slimmed down Photohop with some presets. But what I really like is that randomised coastline, river, path form. I'm actually thinking on how I could simulate something in Photoshop. For the Coastline, probably a irregular shaped brush could do, but the rivers and streets really are awesome.
Love u man, thx for share this!
Thanks for the video, you're like the D&D Bob Ross now
Looks pretty cool, thanks. I have great loyalty to Campaign Cartographer for my (very limited) forays into mapping, but probably just because for decades, it was the only option if you weren't really artistic. Might try this out.
Thank you for he demo, this was pretty easy to use, and if you have any Photoshop or Illustrator experience this should be a breeze.
Welp, this makes my decision for which to pay for! Thank you so much for this!
I LOVE the sim ant soundtrack!
CTRL Z undoes in Inkarnate. ( Maybe new feature since this video is a couple years old. ) Thanks for the review!
The western coast where the forests and mountains are at is strikingly similar to the western continent from your tutorial on map making.
I paid for Inkarnate for a while, but seeing this I think this would be the way to go. Thanks for the look into this, I had not yet heard of it ;)
cheers from Brazil
I love how the river top left looks like a face :P Mother nature is watching.
This tool looks AMAZING!!! Also, your second river should be named "hitchcock" - if you check that shape. ;)
Great video! I like aspects of this, but it's not yet replacing Inkarnate for me. I'll be watching for when Wonderdraft gets more assets. That MIGHT be all I really need.
Thanks for the video. Inkarnate does have an undo in the paid version. Using both together is pretty good too.
just tried this and made a map for a friend in like 2 hours its nice and easy to use
Azgaar's Fantasy Map Generator is actually a really good robust free option. It has climate, roads, rivers, biomes etc. generation too.
OK, I'm sold. :D
I have owned Campaign Cartographer for 20 years. It can make very nice maps and is incredibly flexible and powerful. It is also very difficult to use. It has a steep learning curve, and the export options are limited. While there is definitely a place for it for me, I am looking to add something like this for more quick work. Thanks for the video.
Great video as always Nate.
Thanks!
WAS20: Proceeds to give good information about Wonder Draft Me: *Notices Winterhold*
Max placement rate and minimized collision scale to get really dense symbol placement for trees
It looks like the right tool I was looking for, but I would love to try some form of demo first.
Got this tool just after I saw your video, took me 4 hours and I created 3 entire maps aready for my group that 'll keep them occupied for centuries. Amazing tool!! Edit: Ok, my first edit didnt get saved for some reason, so here I go again. I have two criticisms: 1. You cannot turn objects, only labels, though I will admit it is nice that you can press alt and mirror the object along the Y axis. 2. You can "paint" with things like trees, mountains, hills etc, but you cant paint with objects like buildings or cliffs. The paint option for buildings would be incredibly nice, and I don't really understand why it's not implemented. Edit 2: More things I came up with is: Copy and paste objects. You can mark objects like on your desktop (mass selection), and can move them, but cant alter them in any way else or even copy/paste it. Then there is a better colorpallette workflow. I know it is nitpicky, but it would be amazing to just select a color, copy paste it in the palette and then change it so you can blend more easily. Like I said, I know you can copy the Hex code, but this would cut the middleman. Also: Save Color Palettes for future use. I started a new project and I had to create a new palette to use instead of getting the old one imported to use.
I use both depending on what I am building. I like both apps for different reasons.
This does bring up the question of scale when doing maps. Zooming in and out, at what scales should you insert different map features?
this is really great
Your channel name is incredible.
Wonderdraft definitely looks more affordable. Makes one less thing for me to worry about, and more customization for groundcover and such. Hope the object grouping's been made a little tighter than how it is for this video (Meaning how the trees couldn't be grouped very closely at 10:36), but other than that I'm pretty much sold.