Is there a software (preferrably free) that can help me make a map from a preset land mask?

Question

I already have a land mask (view below) from a basic world map generator, but I need anyway that will help me place mountains, deserts, rivers, cities, etc on it. And, if possible, a height map from it as well (not so important, but if there is, just doesn't need to be all-in-one). NOTE: I don't want a random generator of basic map (I already use this one https://donjon.bin.sh/world/), I want one that I can chose where to put surface features, cities, borders and such.

I have other land masks that are far more complicated than that, and that's why I need it.

I am making a blog with fictional planets inhabited by humans (i am creating languages for those societies, too), and I want to use these maps either for marking countries on planets (it's quite unrealistic for me to treat a whole planet as a single "country" as many do) and making images of the planet using these images (I already have a solution for the last one). — Gabriel Falcão, May 05 '18 at 05:01
Welcome to worldbuilding. To add information to your question you can use the edit button at its end. — L.Dutch, May 05 '18 at 07:00
Possible duplicate of What software is available for map creation? — L.Dutch, May 05 '18 at 07:00
@L.Dutch this one looks more specific to me, but I agree, they are similar — Mołot, May 05 '18 at 07:13
Why not use standard graphic editors? PS, gimp? There you can use the mask directly and paint it however you want. — Nuloen The Seeker, May 05 '18 at 08:48

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered May 05 '18 at 09:03

I would use GIMP - or if you have the ability to, a trial version of Photoshop.

Photoshop though would easily be my programme of choice for any raster (2D) image editing. I would use the following procedure:

Create Mask layer over the top of your map
Use your paint tool on another new layer over the top with 'Overlay' or 'Lighting' blending option.
Set your flow rate and radius of your brush - a slower and softer flow rate is recommended.
For complex polygonal mountains where you want a gradual height, use the gradient tool. However this will create a linear gradient by default - you need to change settings to make this more realistic. Might take a bit of experimenting with this to get it right.
Finally, apply 'Noise' filter to a new layer with a low transparency to slightly randomise your height map - Nature abhors a smooth terrain!

Pinback · Answer 2 · 2018-05-11T18:58:07.753

I'd suggest Inkscape, it works on multiple platforms and is free - with it, you can convert your image into an vector graphic. You'd want to do this because it then gives you an image file that you can scale without changing image size or losing quality unlike raster images - jpeg, png, tiff etc. So scaling it 1000% bigger to add in miniscule detail becomes a breeze.

Here's a tutorial showing how to start from an image through to finished map if you're interested in seeing how it works.

Is there a software (preferrably free) that can help me make a map from a preset land mask?

2 Answers2