People frequently asked me the question :

"How can I make a good map?"

If you have any question about mapmaking write a minimail to me or start a comment thread.
Well for all these people, I will teach you the basic steps of mapmaking. Here we go!

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Step 1: find inspiration

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Finding inspiration is the easiest step! But first start with the subject.
Is your map a real-time map, a one from the past, a fantasy one, a local map, a special designed one?
I chosed to make a real-time map
There are many countries/regions to make maps about it ( don't use the used ones)
I chose: Nauru. The second tiniest country in the world, and the tiniest island-state in Oceania
for other inspiration to make real-time maps of countries follow the topic: http://warlight.net/Forum/Thread?ThreadID=32822

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step 2: Source

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This is only for Real-time maps or maps that goes about the past.
Good sources you can use are (they're free): google.images, wikipedia.commons, gadm.org
I chosed wikipedia.commons for Nauru
http://i.imgur.com/kRR9G2O.jpg

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Step 3: Draw!

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Make sure you draw the entire thing first.
So we begin to draw Nauru first and then we draw the division lines of the territories!
Compris, alors?
Be attend that a cirlce with a length of 18 and of width of also 18 represents a decimal number. This is important for the map design
http://i.imgur.com/sEaWytN.jpg to http://i.imgur.com/fGQZf1o.jpg

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step 4: Bonusses

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After you drew your entire form, you can start drawing the bonus lines.
DO NOT BEGIN WITH THE TERRITORIES FIRST
http://i.imgur.com/nBQPEqF.jpg
than select the bonus line and the former Nauru. click on upper-right of inkscape, on PATH.
Than on DIVISION.

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step 5: Shrinking

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Than you Shrink , you can use this method by 'Inkscape Preferences' by FILE.There is where you can change the inset/outset of the territories. Change this to 0.310
than do this

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step 6: Last things

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Draw your territories lines> path > divison
And than you're clear! or not yet...

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Step 7: Bonus Links

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Click on your bonus former circle/retangle . Object propreties and write BonusLink_*insert* for exemple: http://i.imgur.com/RfiV1ym.jpg
There's also a code for a territory and that's Territory_*number* for exemple : Territory_1

And than you do map designing and clear!


Edited 3/14/2014 15:37:21

My question on map making is- Let's say I'm making a fantasy map, or just any map that doesn't exist in real life. So my thing is, I need to come up with names, to over a hundred territories. Do you know of any easy way to come up with fantasy names for cities, kingdoms, oceans, wars, or anything of the sort? Thanks.

Edit: By the way, good description on map making.

Edited 3/14/2014 03:47:19

Try : http://www.rinkworks.com/namegen/

They all sound rather the same, but if you can incorporate some of your own, they'll go unnoticed.

Wow, thanks a ton!

Make sure when tracing, you plot many points per territory. If you've been making the map detailed enough, your map should need territory (path) simplification. Nothing is worst then those people who make hundreds of maps (an especially real-world maps)and its a country divided by a bunch of undetailed slashes.

Note: When mapmaking, you may have to simplify territories, because the map is to big. Always simplify each territory after you draw it, to keep good looking borders.

in stead of using the pencil and then simplyfying you ca also use the bezier curve and then you don't have to simplify when <500 territories
just try it like this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDkXmoEOggQ