Mapmakers Guild [Social]

[john9blue]

I agree with pork for the most part, EXCEPT for the fact that we can avoid all the pitfalls of the Foundry. The fact is- we can't. The Foundry is where maps get made, and no matter how good out output is, it won't ever be quenched unless it receives the approval of the Foundry mods. Yes, our maps still have to get stamps like every other map. I don't like it, but that's how it is.

What we CAN do is change the environment in which our maps are made. Instead of a single person toiling away and dealing with the whole Foundry process alone, this group will be in it together, like "a group of shipwrecked sailors" instead of Robinson Crusoe. There is a guarantee that everyone in this group is open to new ideas and is capable of giving intelligent criticism. If we find that anyone isn't, sorry, but they're not welcome.

I have changed the rules around a bit since I last wrote them. One key aspect is this: once a map has a sufficient draft, a second thread will be created in the Foundry. Every suggestion made there should be discussed in the Factory thread, and either implemented or dismissed for a logical reason. This way, every decision is a group decision rather than an individual decision, and it is more likely to be accepted by the Foundry regulars. Also, you can participate as much or as little as you like.

One more thing: I encourage anyone doing this, if you have access to Photoshop, to get some working knowledge of the program. By all means, you can be in this group if you don't, but if we don't have enough skilled cartographers then progress will be much slower. There's no need to learn every last detail; just enough so that you can make minor changes if necessary. I will make a group file-sharing account where we put all of our PSD's, so anyone can make changes when they feel like it.

Also, we need to decide on a name ASAP. Put suggestions here and I'll start a poll later.

[Rocketry]

I agree with pork for the most part, EXCEPT for the fact that we can avoid all the pitfalls of the Foundry. The fact is- we can't. The Foundry is where maps get made, and no matter how good out output is, it won't ever be quenched unless it receives the approval of the Foundry mods. Yes, our maps still have to get stamps like every other map. I don't like it, but that's how it is.

I think pork was saying that he didn't want there to be an in-clan stamp system like sailorboy was trying to introduce.

Rocket.

[miniwally]

When we get it started we need to know what graphic programs people have that'd help a lot.

[porkenbeans]

I agree with pork for the most part, EXCEPT for the fact that we can avoid all the pitfalls of the Foundry. The fact is- we can't. The Foundry is where maps get made, and no matter how good out output is, it won't ever be quenched unless it receives the approval of the Foundry mods. Yes, our maps still have to get stamps like every other map. I don't like it, but that's how it is.

I think pork was saying that he didn't want there to be an in-clan stamp system like sailorboy was trying to introduce.

Rocket.

Rocket is reading me well.
I want there to be a much less formal atmosphere. We could go the other way and create a well structured machine, that could spit out the maps in blinding speed, but...

It would be more of an enjoyable venture, especially for part timers, if we just let a map progress at its own speed, and let the process of each map be what it will. We could have just some basic mode of operation. Like only 6 maps at any one time. That would ensure that we will eventually be able to crank out a map a month, and keep the foundry busy. I think that we should have only 7 threads. One for each map in production, and 1 for our home page where everything else is discussed. Like new ideas or other group news.

This way it would be easy for members to log on, read only 1 or more threads, and be up to date on all that is The Map Factory.

I like the idea about having files available for anyone to use. This is a must, but I think all of it can be done in each maps thread. Lets try to keep it simple, streamlined, and exiting. Kind of like a pick-up football game at the park. Just let it come together as we draw our plans in the dirt.

Speaking of drawing, and the graphics end, I want to do the final tweaks, before a map hits the foundry. you can count on me for at least this much, and more.

As for the medals, and who gets official credit. We can together, decide that for each map. sometimes it may be the person that had the idea, and sometimes it may be the person that contributed the most. Or sometimes it may turn out to be the person that does not yet have a medal. Personally, I am NOT in it for the medals. And if I am the last person in the group to get one, it is just fine with me. All I care about is that, our groups name is on each map that rolls out.

[The Neon Peon]

When we get it started we need to know what graphic programs people have that'd help a lot.

Photoshop, or maybe GIMP

That is what has been used to make all the current maps, I believe.

[Rocketry]

I agree with pork for the most part, EXCEPT for the fact that we can avoid all the pitfalls of the Foundry. The fact is- we can't. The Foundry is where maps get made, and no matter how good out output is, it won't ever be quenched unless it receives the approval of the Foundry mods. Yes, our maps still have to get stamps like every other map. I don't like it, but that's how it is.

I think pork was saying that he didn't want there to be an in-clan stamp system like sailorboy was trying to introduce.

Rocket.

Rocket is reading me well.
I want there to be a much less formal atmosphere. We could go the other way and create a well structured machine, that could spit out the maps in blinding speed, but...

It would be more of an enjoyable venture, especially for part timers, if we just let a map progress at its own speed, and let the process of each map be what it will. We could have just some basic mode of operation. Like only 6 maps at any one time. That would ensure that we will eventually be able to crank out a map a month, and keep the foundry busy. I think that we should have only 7 threads. One for each map in production, and 1 for our home page where everything else is discussed. Like new ideas or other group news.

This way it would be easy for members to log on, read only 1 or more threads, and be up to date on all that is The Map Factory.

I like the idea about having files available for anyone to use. This is a must, but I think all of it can be done in each maps thread. Lets try to keep it simple, streamlined, and exiting. Kind of like a pick-up football game at the park. Just let it come together as we draw our plans in the dirt.

Speaking of drawing, and the graphics end, I want to do the final tweaks, before a map hits the foundry. you can count on me for at least this much, and more.

As for the medals, and who gets official credit. We can together, decide that for each map. sometimes it may be the person that had the idea, and sometimes it may be the person that contributed the most. Or sometimes it may turn out to be the person that does not yet have a medal. Personally, I am NOT in it for the medals. And if I am the last person in the group to get one, it is just fine with me. All I care about is that, our groups name is on each map that rolls out.

Overall, I thnk you're heading in a good direction. The only thing I disagree with is the 7 threads only bit. Much better to spread things out with proper titles to make them easy to find. Don't forget we'll have the sticky tool to draw peoples attention to the important bits. I reckon we'll need at least a thread per map plus a few others: Introduction, The Great Mind Map, Introduce yourself and say what skills you have... that kind of thing. I'm sure more threads will appear as things crop up.

Good work though, seriously, I'm much more optimistic about this than I was first time around!

Rocket.

[Woodruff]

One more thing: I encourage anyone doing this, if you have access to Photoshop, to get some working knowledge of the program. By all means, you can be in this group if you don't, but if we don't have enough skilled cartographers then progress will be much slower. There's no need to learn every last detail; just enough so that you can make minor changes if necessary. I will make a group file-sharing account where we put all of our PSD's, so anyone can make changes when they feel like it.
Also, we need to decide on a name ASAP. Put suggestions here and I'll start a poll later.

Just PhotoShop? I have access to GIMP, but not PhotoShop.

[john9blue]

Name suggestions anyone? Or should we stick with The Map Factory?

When we get it started we need to know what graphic programs people have that'd help a lot.

I said Photoshop because it's the most common program. Since we will be sharing files, it will make things a lot easier if we're all using the same graphics editor. You can start a draft on GIMP, Fireworks, etc., but it will probably go slower. Plus, I find that Photoshop is better for map making than GIMP (never tried Fireworks).

Overall, I thnk you're heading in a good direction. The only thing I disagree with is the 7 threads only bit. Much better to spread things out with proper titles to make them easy to find. Don't forget we'll have the sticky tool to draw peoples attention to the important bits. I reckon we'll need at least a thread per map plus a few others: Introduction, The Great Mind Map, Introduce yourself and say what skills you have... that kind of thing. I'm sure more threads will appear as things crop up.

Good work though, seriously, I'm much more optimistic about this than I was first time around!

Rocket.

Yeah, each map needs its own thread, and the ones that are posted in the Foundry will get stickied.

Just PhotoShop? I have access to GIMP, but not PhotoShop.

GIMP can read Photoshop files, so you will be fine just learning that. But, like I said before, most of the real work will probably come from Photoshop, unless you are some kind of GIMP guru (which I am not, never taken a graphics course in my life). You will probably only be able to make small changes.

[sailorseal]

I'll join!


















LOL!

[miniwally]

Name suggestions anyone? Or should we stick with The Map Factory?

When we get it started we need to know what graphic programs people have that'd help a lot.

I said Photoshop because it's the most common program. Since we will be sharing files, it will make things a lot easier if we're all using the same graphics editor. You can start a draft on GIMP, Fireworks, etc., but it will probably go slower. Plus, I find that Photoshop is better for map making than GIMP (never tried Fireworks).

Overall, I thnk you're heading in a good direction. The only thing I disagree with is the 7 threads only bit. Much better to spread things out with proper titles to make them easy to find. Don't forget we'll have the sticky tool to draw peoples attention to the important bits. I reckon we'll need at least a thread per map plus a few others: Introduction, The Great Mind Map, Introduce yourself and say what skills you have... that kind of thing. I'm sure more threads will appear as things crop up.

Good work though, seriously, I'm much more optimistic about this than I was first time around!

Rocket.

Yeah, each map needs its own thread, and the ones that are posted in the Foundry will get stickied.

Just PhotoShop? I have access to GIMP, but not PhotoShop.

GIMP can read Photoshop files, so you will be fine just learning that. But, like I said before, most of the real work will probably come from Photoshop, unless you are some kind of GIMP guru (which I am not, never taken a graphics course in my life). You will probably only be able to make small changes.

I know but it'll be better to see if we have a lot on photoshop to advance or maybe compensate so gimp will be able to go faster as well?

[LED ZEPPELINER]

wait, sailor, are you seriouswhy doesnt anybody understand that if this didn't work the first time, its not gonna work the second time. I mean seriously, stick to the actuall foundry. the map factory already has a bad reputation with a majority of foundry normals, and i just don't think this is gonna work out

[LED ZEPPELINER]

When we get it started we need to know what graphic programs people have that'd help a lot.

Photoshop, or maybe GIMP

That is what has been used to make all the current maps, I believe.

cairns used fireworks for trafalgar, i think

[GrimReaper.]

wait, sailor, are you seriouswhy doesnt anybody understand that if this didn't work the first time, its not gonna work the second time. I mean seriously, stick to the actuall foundry. the map factory already has a bad reputation with a majority of foundry normals, and i just don't think this is gonna work out

he has a small lol on the bottom of his post led
also i forgot to mention i have both Photoshop and Gimp.

[porkenbeans]

I would just like to be able to go to the home thread, get caught up to date, and then go check out the maps in production.
I do not want to search a hundred threads. They are not needed, and within this coop structure, are actually a hindrance.
Some members will not be logging on every day. It would be much easier for them especially, if you only needed to hit the home thread, catch up from where you left off. Then go check up on what ever projects you want to participate in. Besides, Don't you think that it's better to have all M.F. business in one central place, where we all, can easily find and read it ?

The foundry proper has blazed a trail right off a cliff. I think it wise that we blaze our own trail. To avoid there fate, we must chart a completely new coarse. As a matter of fact, if the map foundry does it, we shouldn't, by all instincts. lol.

Simplicity is what is going to float this boat. What is more simple than the structure that I am offering.

If someone could explain to me , the reason why we need, dozens of threads. I would change my mind on this matter.


Don't laugh, but, could someone tell me, ...what a sticky is.

[FireStar]

a sticky is the thing that keeps a post at the top of the list of posts.... you have seen the posts with ! ....

[a.sub]

k i didnt read the 3rd page, if anything major changes from the first let me know please
can i join?
im pretty good at photoshop
i have one map going through as we speak
BUT
my computer is dead for now (on my mom's) and so i cant actually do anything for a few weeks

[Rocketry]

I would just like to be able to go to the home thread, get caught up to date, and then go check out the maps in production.
I do not want to search a hundred threads. They are not needed, and within this coop structure, are actually a hindrance.
Some members will not be logging on every day. It would be much easier for them especially, if you only needed to hit the home thread, catch up from where you left off. Then go check up on what ever projects you want to participate in. Besides, Don't you think that it's better to have all M.F. business in one central place, where we all, can easily find and read it ?

The foundry proper has blazed a trail right off a cliff. I think it wise that we blaze our own trail. To avoid there fate, we must chart a completely new coarse. As a matter of fact, if the map foundry does it, we shouldn't, by all instincts. lol.

Simplicity is what is going to float this boat. What is more simple than the structure that I am offering.

If someone could explain to me , the reason why we need, dozens of threads. I would change my mind on this matter.


Don't laugh, but, could someone tell me, ...what a sticky is.

We can still have a home thread that links to other threads (like an index.)

Rocket.

[killerpit4e]

i am in

[bryguy]

When we get it started we need to know what graphic programs people have that'd help a lot.

I said Photoshop because it's the most common program. Since we will be sharing files, it will make things a lot easier if we're all using the same graphics editor. You can start a draft on GIMP, Fireworks, etc., but it will probably go slower. Plus, I find that Photoshop is better for map making than GIMP (never tried Fireworks).

Just PhotoShop? I have access to GIMP, but not PhotoShop.

GIMP can read Photoshop files, so you will be fine just learning that. But, like I said before, most of the real work will probably come from Photoshop, unless you are some kind of GIMP guru (which I am not, never taken a graphics course in my life). You will probably only be able to make small changes.

Im confused. Do we have to just use Photoshop? I don't have Photoshop, I use GIMP, but I do have access to ImageReady CS2 (I got the trial for CS2 and it still allows me to use ImageReady.... Not as good as PS, but it gives me access to any photoshop filters I can't use, as well as layer modes that GIMP does not have, like Color Dodge/Burn). I hope that it is not the case that we have to use Photoshop, cause I do not have access to it (Except for IR, as mentioned).

Haha, you could probably stick me under "GIMP guru" if you wanted, as I just spent the last year learning how to use GIMP inside and out Some of the filters still confound me though, but Im learning, learning is good

"What is important is to keep learning, to enjoy challenge, and to tolerate ambiguity."
Martina Horner, President of Radcliffe College

[FireStar]

How long till we get forums

[Rocketry]

When we get it started we need to know what graphic programs people have that'd help a lot.

I said Photoshop because it's the most common program. Since we will be sharing files, it will make things a lot easier if we're all using the same graphics editor. You can start a draft on GIMP, Fireworks, etc., but it will probably go slower. Plus, I find that Photoshop is better for map making than GIMP (never tried Fireworks).

Just PhotoShop? I have access to GIMP, but not PhotoShop.

GIMP can read Photoshop files, so you will be fine just learning that. But, like I said before, most of the real work will probably come from Photoshop, unless you are some kind of GIMP guru (which I am not, never taken a graphics course in my life). You will probably only be able to make small changes.

Im confused. Do we have to just use Photoshop? I don't have Photoshop, I use GIMP, but I do have access to ImageReady CS2 (I got the trial for CS2 and it still allows me to use ImageReady.... Not as good as PS, but it gives me access to any photoshop filters I can't use, as well as layer modes that GIMP does not have, like Color Dodge/Burn). I hope that it is not the case that we have to use Photoshop, cause I do not have access to it (Except for IR, as mentioned).

Haha, you could probably stick me under "GIMP guru" if you wanted, as I just spent the last year learning how to use GIMP inside and out Some of the filters still confound me though, but Im learning, learning is good

"What is important is to keep learning, to enjoy challenge, and to tolerate ambiguity."
Martina Horner, President of Radcliffe College

No no - if your're a GIMP person then use that! I'm photoshop myself. We can interchange images between different programs though so don't panic! GIMP Guru? I dare you to put that on your CV.

Rocket.

[john9blue]

Sorry for the wait guys, I sent the ticket over a week ago and still no word. Those things take a long time to go through.

Once the forum is up, feel free to post drafts. You can post an idea without a draft, but it probably won't get very far. Just sayin'.

Please take note: every image or graphics file for your map should be uploaded and linked to in the first post. That means that every time you make changes to a Photoshop file, you should upload it onto http://www.mediafire.com (or somewhere similar) and upload the image onto http://www.imageshack.us (or somewhere similar) so everyone else has access to it. The first post should have a record of all past drafts, along with their Photoshop files. That makes it easy to reverse changes and the like.

By the way, you don't HAVE to know an advanced image program to be in this group. I was just worried about a shortage of artists.

[Mad Pineapples]

Could I join please? As soon as a I get a drawing tablet I should be able to draw maps up in Photoshop

[FireStar]

grrr i am impatient

[a.sub]

grrr i am impatient

agreed