News

April 4, 2016

Here are some pictures from a recent session. I thought that it would show people how I use the Map Builder and what kind of setup I use. It's basically just a cheap flat screen TV with a picture frame clamped down on it. I display all my maps on it and even use wet erase markers on the poster frame cover to draw things like area of effects. Also, I can play music and background noises through the TV, which is always fun. I like to use my phone as a remote to activate sound files on my computer so that I can surprise my players. I did something similar before I got this setup for a Halloween game and it was a big hit. I look forward to this year's Halloween game, although we just started The Curse of Strahd so there will be plenty of chances to scare them.

Cost of my setup:

• Insignia 43" LED HDTV at Best Buy for $275 after tax
• 24" x 36" Studio Decor Belmont Frame from Michaels which I got in blue for around $15
• 2 2" clamps from Home Depot for $2.50 each

At just under $300 you can get a fun little digital tabletop. The TV slightly heavier and bulkier than I would have liked. I can carry it around myself but it gets tiring and awkward. The picture frame has a plastic cover that protectes the TV, although getting a nicer (more expensive!) frame with a glass cover would be better. I'm lucky my wife let me get this setup! In the future I will just have to convince her that she'll have better luck on her saving throws if she rolls on a tougher surface.

Anyway, here are some pics of my setup during a game. The players were investigating a wizard's study when they activated its elemental traps.

Oh and here's a shot of the Vistani camp from the Curse of Strahd. I am just starting the adventure and have been using the site to create maps from the official maps by Mike Schley.

March 24, 2016

You can now edit the grid size and placement on your map. This will make it easier to line up your grid with any map that has its own specific scale. Changing the offset or cell size of a grid on an existing map will update all of the map's floors and walls to match the new scale. However, other items will not be modified, meaning they may need to be scaled or positioned to match the new grid size.

March 22, 2016

There is a new map for the Curse of Strahd: Death House adventure. Go to the Public Maps section of the site to check it out.

The Map Builder has several new features:

• Save Map Level as Image feature has been added.

The Map Viewer has been completely overhauled with a new look and new features:

• New Effects section with new Fog effect.
• New Items section that contains the Custom Items defined for the map in the Map Builder.
• Ability to add items from the Items section to map to enhance immersion during a game.