Really Stuck Trying To Create Graphical Map

ShaggyRS6

ShaggyRS6

ShaggyRS6

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Kent UK & New Jersey USA
Guys I wonder if someone can help.

I am trying to make a map of one of the lakes I fish. I just cant get my head around how to do it.

As an example see this -- http://www.crosschannelcarping.co.uk/docs/thelake/lakemap.html

What I want does not have to be as grand as that but I do want it to look somewhat professional. What I did was take a google earth screenshot of the lake, then used the lasso tool to cut the pieces out, I then filled them. that said my version looks really nasty.

How do I make it look a bit more pro? If you see the first example i have given it has tree's and the water changes colour etc.

Mine just looks horrid.

my attempt ---- http://www.shaggysworld.com/ocuk/bl3.jpg

Any help or advice would be very much appreciated.
 
Try adding some patterns overlaying your colours to add some texture, then perhaps add some gradients like they have to the water.

For trees try and get some rough/grunge brushes and make a feathered selection and paint a few greens together.

 
Jeesus, that looks miles better already, unfortunately most of what you have suggested is not registering as I am really new to this level of photoshop and illustrator.

Could i be really cheeky and ask you to explain ina little more detail the features you have used?

Apologies for asking.
 
Ok then, for Photoshop.

Hopefully you have all the different colours on different layers so you can edit each one individually. If not, either start again or just get the magic wand tool with a low tolerance value (at the top) and make a selection and copy it to a new layer.

For each of the colours add a "layer style", the "f" symbol in the layers palette, and choose pattern overlay. Browse through the default patterns and set the blending mode to something like overlay so you get the colour still, and lowering the opacity so the colours aren't too vibrant.

For the gradient, add a gradient overlay as well as the pattern overlay, for my example, I used radial, set to overlay and lowered the opacity again.

You can also go and add a Bevel and Emboss for some depth, and you could also add a Drop Shadow with 0 value for distance.

For trees, use some textured brushes as opposed to the normal smooth, default brushes. Perhaps take a look at a few of these brushes:

http://www.deviantart.com/#catpath=resources/applications/psbrushes&order=9&q=grunge
Download button on the left when you click on each brush.

But some of the photoshop default brushes might suit you, just look for a rough edged preview image. Then just brush with a click of the mouse or 2, adding different shades of green/black to suit.
 
Mate. You are a star. makes much more sense now, although to late (im tired) to give it a go now, I will have a play in the morning and share the results.

Thanks for taking the time!!!


Lee
 
You could make it in a procedural method by using an 3 dimensional map. You could use fractal pattern then for those values over, say 100, colour green and those under 100 colour blue with progressive darkening as the value gets towards 0.
That's the coder's approach :D
 
Thanks Nick, but I have not understood a word you have said :D If you would like to give it a go i would be very happy to let you do so :)

It's really harder than i thought this photoshop lark. I think everyone think's they are an expert at editing photos, but when it comes to the real stuff like this its just difficult. Or maybe its just me.
 
Mate that is wonderful. Could I be really cheeky and ask you just to remove the orange bit? (Its meant to be a car park to give a reference point)

i know I am probably pushing my luck with you now :)
 
Ice, I dunno how to thank you to be honest. But I hope thanks is enough.

I am gonna try and reproduce what you have done, but what you have done is given me a bit of inspiration to do something (albeit not as good as) like you have done.

Thanks Buddy!!!!
 
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