Map-Making Q&A

[Kaplowitz]

For some reason, whenever i use Blending Options, they dont show up unless i convert the layer into a Smart Group. THis is only in one PSD, the other ones work fine. Anyone know what's happening?

[t-o-m]

from looking at ur PSDs from the layer battle - you use basically ALL of them!
just a few would do it.

[Kaplowitz]

from looking at ur PSDs from the layer battle - you use basically ALL of them!
just a few would do it.

For that one, i was trying to recreate that button...i dont usually use that much

[t-o-m]

a tip: to recreate that buton you could just have used the marque (sp) tool around auto-attack then repositioned it then just cleared the previous text and added your text.
and on a few other layers you've used loads aswel.

[gimil]

Start a new PSD and copy all the layers over ans see if it works.

[DiM]

shortcuts for photoshop.

* Add to selection - (SHIFT + Drag)
* Audio Annotation Tool - (N)
* Background Eraser - (E)
* Brush Presets - (F5)
* Brush Tips - (F5)
* Brush Tool - (B)
* Brush Size Increase - (])
* Brush Size Decrease - ([)
* Burn Tool - (O)
* Clone Stamp Tool - (S)
* Close File - (CTRL + W) or (CTRL + F4)
* Commit Change - (Enter)
* Copy - (CTRL + C) or (F3)
* Create Layer - (SHIFT + CTRL + N)
* Crop Tool - ( C )
* Default Fg/Bg Colors - (D)
* Deselect - (CTRL + D)
* Direct Selection Tool - (A)
* Dodge Tool - (0)
* Duplicate Selection - (ALT + Drag)
* Edit Menus - (ALT + SHIFT + CTRL + M)
* Edit Preferences - (CTRL + K)
* Ellipse Tool - (U)
* Elliptical Marquee Tool - (M)
* Eraser Tool - (E)
* Exit - (CTRL + Q)
* Eyedropper Tool - (I)
* Fill - (SHIFT + F5)
* Free Transform - (CTRL + T)
* Freeform Pen Tool - (P)
* Gradient - (G)
* Group Layers - (CTRL + G)
* Healing Brush Tool - (J)
* Horizontal Type Tool - (T)
* ImageReady - (SHIFT + CTRL + M)
* Insert Text - (T)
* Keyboard Shortcuts - (ALT + SHIFT + CTRL + K)
* Lasso Tool - (L)
* Layer Via Cut - (SHIFT + CTRL + J)
* Levels - (CTRL + L)
* Line Tool (U)
* Lock Transparent Pixels - (/)
* Magic Eraser Tool - (E)
* Magic Wand Tool - (W)
* Magnetic Lasso Tool - (L)
* Match (ImageReady) - (CTRL + M)
* Move Tool - (V)
* New File - (CTRL + N)
* New Frame - (ALT + SHIFT + CTRL + F)
* Notes Tool - (N)
* Open File - (CTRL + O)
* Paint Bucket Tool - (G)
* Paste - (CTRL + V) or (F4)
* Patch Tool - (J)
* Path Selection Tool - (A)
* Pattern Stamp Tool - (S)
* Pen Tool - (P)
* Photoshop Help - (F1)
* Polygonal Lasso Tool - (L)
* Preview (ImageReady) - (CTRL + ALT + P)
* Print - (CTRL + P)
* Print One Copy - (ALT + SHIFT + CTRL + P
* Print With Preview - (ALT + CTRL + P)
* Quit Photoshop - (CTRL + Q)
* Rectangular Marquee Tool - (M)
* Red Eye Tool - (J)
* Remove Border Displays - (SHIFT + CTRL + H)
* Reselect - (SHIFT + CTRL + D)
* Reset Colors - (D)
* Rulers - (CTRL + R)
* Save A File - (CTRL + S)
* Save A File With A New Name - (SHIFT + CTRL + S) or (ALT + CTRL + S)
* Save For Web - (ALT + SHIFT + CTRL + S)
* Screen Mode - (F)
* Select All - (CTRL + A)
* Select Bottom Layer - (ALT + .)
* Select Next Layer - (ALT + ])
* Select Previous Layer - (ALT + [)
* Select Top Layer - (ALT + .)
* Shape Tool - (U)
* Show Guides - (CTRL)
* Slice - (K)
* Slice Select - (K)
* Spot Healing Brush Tool - (J)
* Subtract From Selection - (ALT + Drag)
* Transform Again - (SHIFT + CTRL + T)
* Undo/Redo - (CTRL + Z)
* Zoom In - (CTRL + +)
* Zoom Out - (CTRL + -)
* Zoom Tool - (Z)

[wcaclimbing]

thats an awesome list.
it'll help me.
thanks for posting it.

[t-o-m]

i didnt know about the [ and ]
helpfull - thanks

[pepperonibread]

One I use a lot that I don't think is on there is Step Foward (Shift+Ctrl+Z) and Step Backward (Alt+Ctrl+Z). These are like undo/redo, but you can go back as far as you want (at least about 20 steps).

[wcaclimbing]

also (at least for Photoshop Elements), Ctrl+J duplicates the selected layer. and Ctrl+E merges the selected layer with the one below it. I didn't see those two on your list.

[MrBenn]

You've left off the 'I've had enough of this' shortcut... Alt+F4

[t-o-m]

You've left off the 'I've had enough of this' shortcut... Alt+F4

but what about the i-need-to-save-what-im-doing-before-ending-this:
Ctrl + S
or F12

[moonarus]

how to shrink/enlarge a map or pic? i ned help so i wont have to make the small and large maps separatley...

[TaCktiX]

All of the map making tools have the means to dynamically change image size, particularly PhotoShop and GIMP.

[TITANESS]

I'm new to this so I don't know to use GIMP at all
the only program I've used for map making is paint
can I use paint?

[Kaplowitz]

Paint is not allowed, sorry.

[Mr_Adams]

you think Auto-Cad would be a good map making tool?

[DiM]

don't listen to kaplowitz, paint is allowed, in fact anything is allowed as long as you can provide quality graphics. look at the latest maps quenched and try to do something like that in paint. if you do then you can use it.
problem with paint is that it's really hard to get good graphics and it's almost impossible to do fast modifications.

@Mr_Adams. if you can produce nice graphics in Auto Cad then of course you can use it. since people used maya, blender or 3d studio max to make maps then i believe auto-cad will also be suitable.

[Kaplowitz]

don't listen to kaplowitz, paint is allowed, in fact anything is allowed as long as you can provide quality graphics. look at the latest maps quenched and try to do something like that in paint. if you do then you can use it.
problem with paint is that it's really hard to get good graphics and it's almost impossible to do fast modifications.

@Mr_Adams. if you can produce nice graphics in Auto Cad then of course you can use it. since people used maya, blender or 3d studio max to make maps then i believe auto-cad will also be suitable.

The map making rules say "Paint is NOT allowed"

Its not just about making really good images (which is basically impossible unless you are an artist with a tablet) its also editing. You'd have to re-draw the map with each update.

[DiM]

The map making rules say "Paint is NOT allowed"

Its not just about making really good images (which is basically impossible unless you are an artist with a tablet) its also editing. You'd have to re-draw the map with each update.

where does it say that paint is not allowed? i did not see such a rule and if it exists then it is stupid.

if somebody is great at drawing in paint and has the time to do those lengthy modifications then i see absolutely no problem.
i've seen magnificent images made entirely in paint. images that probably none of the map makers would be able to make in photoshop or gimp or whatever programs they use

[wcaclimbing]

where does it say that paint is not allowed? i did not see such a rule and if it exists then it is stupid.

Pencil drawn images and images done on paint will not be accpected.

[DiM]

where does it say that paint is not allowed? i did not see such a rule and if it exists then it is stupid.

Pencil drawn images and images done on paint will not be accpected.

you're right. it's there. this is total bullshit.
going to ask for a change of the rules. any image processing software should be allowed as long as quality results are obtained.

[AndyDufresne]

That was put in during a time when we saw numerous maps starting up in paint, long ago I believe. I think it'll stay, as we direct people to Gimp and other free programs.


--Andy

[DiM]

That was put in during a time when we saw numerous maps starting up in paint, long ago I believe. I think it'll stay, as we direct people to Gimp and other free programs.


--Andy

then perhaps change it to something like:

"you can use any image editing software as long as you produce a quality image, but we recommend: photoshop, gimp, etc"

it's better to advice people than to force them. if people have no skill they'll make an atrocity regardless of what software they use

[Mr_Adams]

Has AutoCadLT ever been used for a map?