This review of Campaign Cartographer 3 shares how easily you can make fantasy or science fiction maps with a few easy clicks. These maps can be shared and viewed over the internet, between friends, and with fans. Gamers, novelists, writers, and artists will love this powerful CAD program.
Campaign Cartographer 3 is the third upgrade in a line of specialized CAD (computer assisted design) programs released by ProFantasy Software, a company based in England, that can be used to create detailed maps, floor plans, and dungeons for science fiction and fantasy enthusiasts, novelists, and game designers.
Powerful add-ons to CC3 and additional symbol sets provide graphics for creating detailed dungeons, cities, and even star scapes. Some of these include Dungeon Designer 3, City Designer 3, and Cosmographer Pro. Additionally, these supplements can be bought in a value bundle from ProFantasy, adding even more utility to an already powerful program.
Campaign Cartographer 3 has minimal requirements for excellent results:
- 350 MB hard disk space
- 256 MB memory
- Windows 98 or better
- A mouse or a tablet
- An internet connection for installation
For optimal performance and full effects, the following additional system specs are suggested:
- 1GB memory – 2GB is ideal but CC3 must be configured
- Windows 2000 or better
- A fast graphics card with decent on-board memory. (The ProFantasy site suggests that NVidia seems to work better than ATI cards for CC3.)
- A PCI Express motherboard and graphics card makes a noticeable difference.
Campaign Cartographer 3 is compatible with Windows Vista. The application can be purchased in a store or from ProFantasy Software. If purchased through Profantasy, the program can be downloaded straight from their site along with a PDF version of the manual. For a small additional fee, discs for purchased programs and add-ons can also be shipped to the purchaser.
Once CC3 is bought and registered, upgrades and patches are provided on the user’s registration page. They are easily found, downloaded and installed.
CC3’s interface resembles that of other CAD programs, such as AutoCad, and very little of the program’s maneuverability and flexibility has changed between since Campaign Cartographer 2. Even those unfamiliar with CAD drafting programs can make relatively decent maps with CC3. With a few clicks, I had the sea, my coastline, and a few sea monsters created.
Creating the above map took approximately five minutes. While it is no great beauty, it shows the power and potential of the program. With a little time investment, even the most awkward artist can create something nice and functional.
Even with the most intuitive programs, questions do arise, and with CC3 offering so many options and complexity, I had many, many queries within the first few minutes of trying to create my map. The built-in help system, accessed via a drop down menu clearly marked “Help”, had most of my answers.
CC3’s flexibility also allows creators to freehand continents, rivers, roads, and even political boundaries. The possibilities are almost limitless.