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Atlas Elyden style guide (Patreon)

Published:
2016-08-20 14:26:22
Imported:
2026-06
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  • Atlas Elyden style guide.pdf

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Content



By popular demand, a guide to how I create my Atlas Elyden maps.  

This isn't a full-out tutorial, though more of a guide to how I create the maps, so a working knowledge of how Photoshop and projected maps work is assumed. I don't go into details like which exact colours are used and so on as I expect anyone wanting to emulate the style to use their own colours. It's no fun copying things word-for-word :)

I attached a PDF for anyone who wants a slightly less long version to keep. 

Hope you enjoy.  And keep an eye out, as I'll be uploading a more detailed version over the coming weeks for my paying patrons as a thanks for your support

#atlaselyden #fantasycartography


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Comments

Steve Wood

This is an excellent write up of your process and dedication to perfecting your craft. Great job! I have loads of questions I'd love to ask about the life cycle of creating one of your maps but I'll start with this simple one. Do you really trace the graticules freehand over the ones imported from G Projection? They look so neat and uniform.

Nate Mangion

I use the pen tool in Photoshop so it's not exactly freehand. Though I do notice some slight error at times, particularly in the curved latitudes, when I overlay it on the G. projector map.

Steve Wood

They look pretty good to me! Can't wait to read the more in depth write up you have planned for patrons soon.

Caryl Yantis

is there a more detailed write up about how you made these maps? I see some terrain that looks like it is under the colors of the map but I didn't see mention of how you created this. I think a more detailed guide would be nice to see.

Nate Mangion
>>6230130

yeah those are one of the things I added after creating this. One I finish the maps I'll update the guide to incorporate all the additions and changes and post it for patrons only In the meantime, if you're fluent in PS - they're just a grey layer above the land layer set to soft light with layer mask and a subtle bevel & emboss style to give the impression of hills and other features. They're just a throwaway addition until i (possibly) come up with something more specific and they don't really represent the terrain in any realistic fashion.

Caryl Yantis

How did you create the black and white map?

Nate Mangion
>>6235219

its 100% freehand, originally drawn on an A1 paper, photographed and traced over and expanded upon with a cheap wacom tablet/stylus on photoshop. There's very little more I can say than that, as that's really all there is to it. there's no procedural process or photoshop tricks - though if you are familiar with photshop you can do something like a clouds layer with a levels adjustment to make it stark whote / black and then copy/paste the shapes to make coastlines.