California [Quenched]

[Industrial Helix]

I've actually never been out there, but I still have some ideas about the state. Mostly I think of westerns and the gold rush. Anyway, I just ran your map through photoshop and desaturated it by 40 photoshop measuring units. So let's see if it inspires you any.

Click image to enlarge.

[The Bison King]

When I think of California, I think of weed and raisins.

How's this?

Click image to enlarge.

You know obviously that's a joke but it does make me realize something. I think I can do better than that tree, and replacing that will probably go a long way to tying this map together. What do you guy's think? does any one have any strong feelings for that tree?

[Victor Sullivan]

Something to think about, TBK:

Thematic Consistency - The look and general appearance of the map should fit with the theme of the map. You will need to consider how all the visual aspects of map fit the theme (pixellated vs smooth borders; bright vs dark; clean vs grunge; compatible font selection, etc. etc.). Here are some questions that you can ask yourself before you make a map. While not every question will be appropriate for every map, they will help you focus your ideas and design:

• Who are the characters in the map? (backstory .i.e. why is this map significant or a cool story)
• What is your map about?
• Where does it take place?
• When does it take place?
• Why are the events taking place? (again backstory)
• How will the events unfold?
• Anything else?

[AndyDufresne]

I've no strong feelings for your particular tree. What if you moved the Grizzly to that spot, and enhanced/enlarged it? Then again, I kind of like the little grizzly where it is too.


--Andy

[The Bison King]

I've no strong feelings for your particular tree. What if you moved the Grizzly to that spot, and enhanced/enlarged it? Then again, I kind of like the little grizzly where it is too.


--Andy

Yeah I like the Bear where he is, but sure;y there is something equally Iconic that could be inserted there.

[natty dread]

ps. you still haven't fixed the inset mountains...

I don't know, I think the main problem with the map is that the texture of the land area doesn't quite fit the style of the map. Some digital enhancement may help - you could try overlaying other textures on it, adding gradients or shadows...

I know you added that california raisin as a joke (funny, btw!) but it got me thinking... if the whole map was in that style, as in the style that raisin is drawn in, then it might work real nicely...

[The Bison King]

ps. you still haven't fixed the inset mountains...

Well I did... I guess if you want them even smaller I could do that too.

I don't know, I think the main problem with the map is that the texture of the land area doesn't quite fit the style of the map. Some digital enhancement may help - you could try overlaying other textures on it, adding gradients or shadows...

I could play around.

if the whole map was in that style, as in the style that raisin is drawn in, then it might work real nicely...

the...raisin?

[natty dread]

ps. you still haven't fixed the inset mountains...

Well I did... I guess if you want them even smaller I could do that too.

I mean the bay area inset. The mountains on the main map are exactly the same size as the corresponding mountains on the bay area inset. It looks weird, especially when the mountains are proportionally zoomed in the other inset.

I don't know, I think the main problem with the map is that the texture of the land area doesn't quite fit the style of the map. Some digital enhancement may help - you could try overlaying other textures on it, adding gradients or shadows...

I could play around.

Do that. Experimenting is always good.

if the whole map was in that style, as in the style that raisin is drawn in, then it might work real nicely...

the...raisin?

Yep! The raisin!

Look at the texture of that raisin (the purple part). It looks sort of like a frame from a 40's animation, with the smooth "film" like texture, vivid colour, the glows, etc. The wrinkly texture of the raisin... you could make something like that but in the shape of the land contours. I don't know, something about it just seems like it could work for this map.

[The Bison King]

Click image to enlarge.

How do we like this treatment. It's slightly more modulated and less grainy. Also SF mountains enlarged.

[InsomniaRed]

I think the map looks great. I'm from California, and I'm glad there is finally a map being made. I just wish Santa Barbara was Ventura since it makes more since in that position, but that's just a Californian nit-picking. It looks great, and the graphics are amazing. I can't wait to play it.

[natty dread]

Ok, what you did with the land is definitely a step in the right direction... but as a whole, it's still not quite there yet...

I think the main issue here is, even with the background ran through a posterization filter, there's still too much of clash between the background and the land area. They're just too different in style.

You could go for a simpler background, like the ones MrBenn suggested a while back, or you could try making the land area more similar to the background. I'm not really sure which one would be a better solution.

[The Bison King]

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

You could go for a simpler background, like the ones MrBenn suggested a while back, or you could try making the land area more similar to the background. I'm not really sure which one would be a better solution.

I like making the land look more like the background. It's just so peaceful.

I think the map looks great. I'm from California, and I'm glad there is finally a map being made. I just wish Santa Barbara was Ventura since it makes more since in that position, but that's just a Californian nit-picking. It looks great, and the graphics are amazing. I can't wait to play it.

Really it could be either. Since SB is right on the border of Lompoc I could make Lompoc Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara Ventura. Especially Since Santa Barbara is bigger than Lompoc any way.


How do we feel about the great seal of California?

[Victor Sullivan]

Wow, this map looks a whole lot sexier. Oh wait, my name's on the map again now JK, it looks fine

Not sure if the font you used for our sigs work... Oh, and I think "The Golden State of California" could stand to be moved down a bit.

[grifftron]

Why is vics name on the map again?

[Victor Sullivan]

Why is vics name on the map again?

I did the XML, dear

[natty dread]

Looks good. I like the seal.

There's some details you should look into:

- the mountains on the bay inset could still stand to be enlarged slightly.

- the bonus area borders on the insets: I'm sorry, but these need to be redrawn. They look blurry and smudgy, like they're not in the same level of focus as the land area...

- the black frames around the insets... they make the insets look like they are in front of the main map, at the same time as they go below the main map... if that makes sense? Try making them thinner.

[grifftron]

Why is vics name on the map again?

I did the XML, dear

Well that was nice of TBK.. because xml is some hard ass work for a medal

[Victor Sullivan]

Why is vics name on the map again?

I did the XML, dear

Well that was nice of TBK.. because xml is some hard ass work for a medal

Lol, griffendor. Don't go hatin' on me

[Tisha]

I'd move the Seal down a tiny bit, so it is the same distance from the bottom as it is from the right. The green mountains between Contra Costa an Morro Bay are pretty straight, maybe blend the green along the base of the mountain out a bit.. a little variation.
LOVE the sun. ♥

[The Bison King]

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

I'd move the Seal down a tiny bit, so it is the same distance from the bottom as it is from the right. The green mountains between Contra Costa an Morro Bay are pretty straight, maybe blend the green along the base of the mountain out a bit.. a little variation.

Done.

- the mountains on the bay inset could still stand to be enlarged slightly.

Done

the bonus area borders on the insets: I'm sorry, but these need to be redrawn. They look blurry and smudgy, like they're not in the same level of focus as the land area...

Done

[natty dread]

Good job with the borders! They're like a 1000 times better than the previous version.

It seems you also gave the land area a new outline. Nice one... that works.

All good changes, I'd say.

[InsomniaRed]

I still think Santa Barbara should be moved up and Ventura should be added but that's just California OCD. It looks great and I think the additions look great, your borders are much better. Now I gotta wait for what it'll look like with the numbers on it, since that looks like it could be a problem in a few places.

[natty dread]

A gradient overlay could work here too.

Check this out:

Click image to enlarge.

Although you might want to try centering the gradient on the sun instead.

[Industrial Helix]

Can you run the posterize filter on the original painted ocean and see how it looks?

[The Bison King]

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

I added that sun glow but made it very subtle.

BTW


Why do you have a brush shaped like a pepper? when do you ever need that?

I still think Santa Barbara should be moved up and Ventura should be added but that's just California OCD. It looks great and I think the additions look great, your borders are much better. Now I gotta wait for what it'll look like with the numbers on it, since that looks like it could be a problem in a few places.

I'm so going to do that. I missed it on his upload. I already quite the program, and am getting ready for bed, so it'll have to wait till next upload.

Can you run the posterize filter on the original painted ocean and see how it looks?

Like this:

Click image to enlarge.