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Board game design software request

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Trepid
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Screenshot (21).jpg

Greetings. I am building a board game and for the map I will be designing a city landscape. There seems to be an enormous amount of software in regards to civil engineering, landscape design, etc, and I am hoping to narrow down the list to fit a small budget (if not free). The type of map I want to create will be a few city blocks so I am hoping for some suggestions/recommendations. What I am looking for is software that can draw and detail houses, apartment buildings, stores, roads, streets, and terrain including rocks, trees, grassland, cliffs, etc. I would like the view to be an aerial shot 3d (almost 2d) as if someone was looking at an aerial photo of a google map of a few city blocks. Could you please give me some suggestions on what direction I should go? Thanks for your time.

..The following screenshot is an example of what my map will look like, but instead of downloading a map that is already made I want to build my own.

canis_artis
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Hi, I'm not sure of what

Hi,
I'm not sure of what software you are referring to so I'll stick to what I know.

What you could do is use a 3D program like Google Sketchup or Sweet Home 3D (both free) to set up the buildings and landscape items, then export the scene to a jpg. Sweet Home 3D can use .stl items found on 3D sites or their own library.

David

Trepid
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textures

Thanks so much for your response. I'll definitely check both of those software programs out. One of the concerns for me was available textures to use on the buildings, grassland, and streets/roads. I'm hoping one or either of those programs has semi-realistic brushes or textures. Thanks again.

canis_artis
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The options I mentioned won't

The options I mentioned won't give you an image exactly like the one you have posted.

I remembered a couple other options, one hard and the other easier, both free. And they both allow you to add shadows.

Hard - Blender 3D, a very powerful 3D application, with a steep learning curve, but with tons of tutorials available.

Easier - Art of Illusion, a simple 3D application with a few tutorials. I've used it a couple times with good results.

The amount of detail/texture you add could be as simple as a picture on the box that looks like the top of a building rather than constructing a full building.

All of the programs I've mentioned have versions for PC and Mac.

David

Trepid
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Thanks so much for your

Thanks so much for your suggestions. Very much appreciated!

questccg
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Your other alternative...

Hire an ARTIST who will make an illustration corresponding to whatever scene that you want. It doesn't need to be 3D either. You'd be amazed at what a professional artist can render.

Plus you give them guidelines on what to draw, how you want the scene to be drawn and then they can colorize the scene electronically (digital illustration) as opposed to traditional painting (such as Watercolor and the like).

Here's an illustration done by my artist:

http://www.bgdf.com/image/tradewars-homeworld-golf-crew

If you check it out, it looks 3D but it was all drawn digitally.

Like I said the right artist can render your scene without you spending time learning 3D modeling programs or trying to do it yourself. In Game Design -- you don't do things yourself other than focus on the design of the game. If you Self-Publish well then that's another matter.

If you need one (1) illustration for a board, well then consult with an artist.

If you can't find one, go to the local College or University and visit the Arts department. You may find a professor or a talented student that can get the artwork you need done.

Best of luck(!?) in your search...

Trepid
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thanks for the additional

thanks for the additional suggestions. that illustrated card is beautiful.

erobles
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Joined: 06/11/2017
Cartography software

Hi there, have you tried cartography software? theres a lot of good options out there, each one with different results, but can take a look to see if something helps you.

Start here: https://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=1407

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