Simple method for making perfect army circles
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 7:22 pm
These instructions can be applied for any image editing software (Photoshop, GIMP, Paint.NET, etc.) that uses layers.
OK, here's how I usually make my army circles. This might be obvious to many, but I think it's a good tip for beginners.
First, you will need a copy of the army number 88:s. If you don't have one you can use this:
Then, we'll make a new image. It doesn't have to be large, 100x100 will do fine. We'll colour our background layer with a convenient colour, say, grey. You can also use whatever colour your map's land area will be, so that you'll know approximately how the circle will look in the map... but, for this example, I'm using grey.
Now, pick your favorite colour, and copy one of the army numbers, and paste it on a new layer:
Grey Background on 1st layer, the army number on 2nd layer which is transparent except for the number.
Then create a new layer, but move the layer underneath the layer that has the army numbers.
On this layer, you draw the circle around the army number. The most common way is to use white and adjust the opacity into 50%. You can also use black, or do something fancy like a coloured edge, but for this example I'm drawing a simple white circle with reduced opacity.
So now you should have: background on 1st layer, army circle on 2nd layer, army number on 3rd layer.
Now you'll just resize (stretch) and move the army circle so that the army number looks good, and is in the middle.
Finally, delete layers 1 and 3, leaving only the layer with your army circle. Now you know the circle will be the right size for 88:s, so all that's left is copypasteing it all over your map!
Now, you can use the same method, and make a smaller circle for your small version of the map. If your small version is 25% smaller, make the circle approximately 25% smaller too.
Happy mapmaking!
OK, here's how I usually make my army circles. This might be obvious to many, but I think it's a good tip for beginners.
First, you will need a copy of the army number 88:s. If you don't have one you can use this:
Then, we'll make a new image. It doesn't have to be large, 100x100 will do fine. We'll colour our background layer with a convenient colour, say, grey. You can also use whatever colour your map's land area will be, so that you'll know approximately how the circle will look in the map... but, for this example, I'm using grey.
Now, pick your favorite colour, and copy one of the army numbers, and paste it on a new layer:
Grey Background on 1st layer, the army number on 2nd layer which is transparent except for the number.
Then create a new layer, but move the layer underneath the layer that has the army numbers.
On this layer, you draw the circle around the army number. The most common way is to use white and adjust the opacity into 50%. You can also use black, or do something fancy like a coloured edge, but for this example I'm drawing a simple white circle with reduced opacity.
So now you should have: background on 1st layer, army circle on 2nd layer, army number on 3rd layer.
Now you'll just resize (stretch) and move the army circle so that the army number looks good, and is in the middle.
Finally, delete layers 1 and 3, leaving only the layer with your army circle. Now you know the circle will be the right size for 88:s, so all that's left is copypasteing it all over your map!
Now, you can use the same method, and make a smaller circle for your small version of the map. If your small version is 25% smaller, make the circle approximately 25% smaller too.
Happy mapmaking!