Adding Symbols to CC3+

Like so many things in the D&D world, working with CC3 to draw maps is fun.  It is also quite challenging, at least early  on.  I used to be simply frustrated with it as the program's learning cliff, not curve, cliff, is daunting.  I have managed to summit a few foot hills on my way toward the top of that cliff and I have to say I enjoy the challenge.

As I make this ascent, I am trying to write articles on this blog to give myself a toe-hold in the future and perhaps help someone who is following me.

This installment is all about gathering more symbols for my library and hopefully how to use them.

First a Digression

Here is a link to a handy getting started tutorial: Battlemaps via Campaign Cartographer (short tutorial) written by Ualaa on the D20PRO Virtual Tabletop blog.  It's not directly on topic, but useful when making the climb.

Symbol Sources

CC3 is a remarkably open system for mapping. The symbols used in teh program are essentially just small graphics that can be scaled, rotated, and generally cobbled together to make some nifty maps.  Symbols tend to have a style to them, some play well with others, some tend to want to commingle with just others that share their style, but more to choose from is usually better when creating map.

Symbols are available from a number of avenues, including at least:

1. Base product -- The base ProFantasy products (CC3+, DD3, etc) come with a good selection
2. Annuals -- The annuals published monthly (like all things related to CC3, that doesn't make sense on its face) include even more commercial options. 
3. Community Shared -- Symbols or Collections that are made available on the interwebs.
4. Home brewed -- Symbols created directly, the ultimate in customization and effort.

I'll comment a bit on each, but will focus on #2 and #3 in this post.

1) Base Product

Not much to say here.  When you buy a package, it includes a set or sets of symbols useful for that type of illustration.  Nothing to add here, moving on.

2) Annuals

The annuals are an interesting concept.  They seem to be collections of articles and resources created by ProFantasy of members of the community that are professional quality.  They are typically published one per month and end up bundled into twelve (sometimes thirteen packs).  Many of the articles will not be useful for any particular project but overall there is a lot of good things in these bundles.

Each year one of the monthly products is added to the Free Samples collection which offers a taste of the bundles.  I've used one of the free bundle items and definitely benefited.  Here are a few that I am aware of that seem applicable to my current fascination with battle maps.

First the free samples that have applicability:

• Jul 11,  Jon Roberts' Dungeons: New drawing style for dungeon floorplans and battlemaps.
• Dec 15, "Deluxe Battle Maps" six highly detailed battle maps...
• May 16, Naomi VanDoren  floorplan-style based on her work...
• Dec 17, Sue Daniel's scroll and parchments backgrounds... 

Now, for a sampling of the some interesting ones from Vol 1-4 that are sitting behind a paywall:

• Vol 1, Jul 07, Cave's and Caverns
• Vol 2, Mar 08, Creating heraldic shields and devices  
• Vol 2, Sep 08, Battle Maps
• Vol 2, Jul 08, Dynamic lights and shadows to illuminate maps in new and unforseen ways
• Vol 4, Oct 10, Castle Walls 
• Vol 4, Nov 10, Roofs and roof frills.

At this point, I will be grabbing all of the free content and am thinking about buying more, likely starting with Vol 4 for those highly applicable castle walls.   

3) Community Shared

There are tons of symbols out there that are available free or minimal cost.  I'm sure many are worth exactly their cost, but some should be great for quite a few projects.  I've run across three collections of symbols that I intend to try out.

I learned about these from a post on the ProFantasy boards: Cartographic Resources.

The four symbol collections available form the Vintyri project:

1. Vintyri Cartographic Collection
2. Bogie's Mapping Objects
3. CSUAC 2.0
4. The Dundjinni Archives 
• Volume 1:   ISO-type symbols and covers for overland mapping.
• Volume 2:  fantasy maps.
• Volume 3:  modern and science fiction maps.

The Vintyri Project Troubleshooting Guide and FAQ for the Vintyri™ Add-Ons for CC3+ seems an important link as teh CC3 file structure is about as simple and intuitive as their software.

Vintyri provides download links for all for packages on their Vintyri™-distributedAdd-Ons for CC3+ page.

4) Home Brewed

Symbols can be created on your own computer and imported.I found myself in need of a neutral gradient to create teh illusion of height on a ramp.  I resorted to Photoshop to create the PNG that goes from black to transparent and loaded it into CC3 by the Columbus method, successful, but not highly reproducible.  Now I am attempting to create a complimentary symbol, gradient from white to transparent for the opposite effect.  I'll document my process here aimed at making a small square symbol.

Create Symbol in PhotoShop

1. Launch Photoshop
2. Create a new file File>New
3. Set Appropriate file size & resolution (1x1 inches and 140 pixels/inch for this example)
4. Create New Layer
5. Hide Background (so symbol can be transparent)
6. Draw symbol (in my case, create appropriate gradient with gradient tool G)
7. Save file as a PNG
8. Repeat for any additional symbols being built

Add Symbols to CC3 Symbol Catalog File

Gerri Broman wrote a handy guide on how to load up symbols: Simple Guide. Following is my ultra-brief summary of the steps.

1. Setup a directory structure in your ProFantasy ProgramData to hold your custom symbols.  Mine is in C:ProgramData/ProFantasy/CC3Plus/Symbols/User with a folder for each type of symbol I am working working with.
2. Move your freshly minted smbol files into the appropriate directory and make sure the name makes sense. 
3. Create or open a symbol catalog drawing file for your set of symbols.  Gerri gave details. Typically the new drawing should be stored in the same directory that contains the directory with your symbol (PNG) files and have the same name.
4. You may need to setup layers and such, for me the defaults were fine.
5. Now click the menu: Symbols > Import pngs..
6. Set the Source folder, this should be the one that contains your new symbols
7. Set any other desired choices and hit ok.  You should see a dialog about import results.

Process the Symbol Catalog File

1. Open the symbol manager: Menu: Symbols > Symbol Manager
2. Make any desired changes
3. Select all the symbols and save them as a catlog in the directory containing the symbols

That's it.  Open a drawing you are working on and you should be able to navigate to the symbols you added.  If you are having trouble finding them, I wrote a post about that: Finding Symbols in CC3+