8/07/2017

Free GM Resource: Mipui Mapping App

Free GM Resource: Mipui Mapping App
Frugal GM Note: Postings have been a bit sparse as of late due to some commitments/projects that should mostly be wrapped up by the end of the month. Word on these endeavors will be shared here.

This week's Free GM Resource is another mapping resource, but I cannot take the credit for finding it. The creator of Mipui sent me an email through the contact widget.

Mipui is still a bit of a work-in-progress, but for some simple maps this online app is good-to-go. There are a couple of features I like quite a bit, like expanding the size of the map while you are working on it. The options for saving are pretty nice as well.

This is one of those things that you should really just check out on your own to see if it'll work out for your needs.

Mipui Mapping App

7/24/2017

Free GM Resource: Inkscape

Free GM Resource: Inkscape
This week's Free GM Resource is an open-sourced vector graphics editor available for several computer operating systems, most notably Windows, Mac, and Linux. Best part is that Inkscape is free and open-source.

While this is a more generic graphics tool, Inkscape can really service a GM's needs with maps....especially maps that you might want to scale because most of the editing tools "out there" are specifically for raster graphics.

Vector vs. Raster Images

All, or at least the overwhelming majority, of the maps I release are raster images because they are set up for printing at specific sizes. Pretty much the same with the graphics for every Frugal GM product. Usually though, I create everything as a vector image so I can easily resize the image as needed.

I'm certain that Inkscape is one of those tools that once you start using it, you'll start to wonder why it took you so long. If you do any map work or RPG writing you'll want a vector graphics editor in your toolbox.

Seriously......pick up Inkscape today unless you already have the likes of Adobe Illustrator.

7/10/2017

Free GM Resource: Guide to Mapping

Free GM Resource: Guide to Mapping
The week's Free GM Resource is an interesting Guide to Mapping (or more specifically "A Magical Society: Guide to Mapping") from Expeditious Retreat Press.

This free guide is 37 pages, with 29 pages of pertinent content. What I liked about this resource is that it covers the "high level stuff" that I think most GMs would overlook when designing their game world. This guide ISN'T about how to map, but more about these "big picture" factors that should/would influence the world as a whole.

You can download the guide by clicking on the lead-in graphic or by using this link at DTRPG.

7/04/2017

Good Deal on Six PWYW Paper Terrain Sets from Fat Dragon Games *LIMITED TIME OFFER*

Good Deal on Six PWYW Paper Terrain Sets from Fat Dragon Games *LIMITED TIME OFFER*
Recently (I think starting last week), Fat Dragon Games put six of their paper terrain sets on sale as Pay What You Want. Now I already owned most of these sets, but I know a great deal when I see one.

I'm a HUGE fan of Fat Dragon Games, largely because their product offerings are just straight-up good deals. Their models come together nicely and you only need a few tools to get started.

If you were looking to try paper modeling, you need to head over to DriveThruRPG and purchase these sets while you can:
     *E-Z DUNGEONS: Deluxe Edition
     *E-Z DUNGEONS: Mechanical Traps
     *E-Z DUNGEONS: Caverns of Chaos
     *E-Z DUNGEONS: Expansion Set 2
     *E-Z DUNGEONS: Expansion Set 8
     *Halls of the Mountain King

The sale is listed as "this week only", but I'm not sure when this week started.







P.S. Fat Dragon Games has some "big announcement" set for tomorrow, July 5th. More than likely an announcement for their next Kickstarter project, which is also a good deal (if you have access to a 3d printer).

7/03/2017

Free GM Resource: Lukes Aps YouTube Channel

Free GM Resource: Lukes Aps YouTube Channel
This week's Free GM Resource (yes, I am aware I skipped last week) is another cool YouTube channel for building/painting tabletop terrain and minis.

Lukes Aps has been around for a little over a year now. The "Aps", of Lukes Aps, stands for "Affordable Painting Service", so I'm going to assume that Luke is better at painting minis than I am....

....honestly I haven't viewed any of his miniature painting videos. I'm into this channel for the terrain tips. Last night I actually watched a 14 minute video about Army Painter Review And How To Fix The Problems People Are Having. I don't have any Army Painter paints, but the "fix" pretty much applies to any paint.....and now I need to pick up something for my paints.

Seriously though......there are some good terrain videos that I think are well worth the time expenditure.

6/19/2017

Free GM Resource: Goblinist RPG Tools

Free GM Resource: Goblinist RPG Tools
This week's Free GM Resource is almost a twofer. Goblinist RPG Tools has one "finished" tool that is the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition Random Encounter Generator (I dare you to try to say that 5 times really fast) and another work-in-progress Procedural Fantasy Map Generator. Both are web-based tools.

The encounter generator has a lot of options for the type of encounter area and, more importantly, how deadly you want to make things for your party.

If you use this tool, you might want to refrain from heavy use of the "Deadly" option, or you might need to find new players......

6/12/2017

Free GM Resource: OpenForge Project on Thingiverse (3d Printer Files)

Free GM Resource: OpenForge Project on Thingiverse (3d Printer Files)
This week's Free GM Resource is a collection of cool 3d printing models from Thingaverse.....specifically from the OpenForge collection by Devon Jones. (this particular link goes to Devon Jones' designer page, so there are non-OpenForge projects in the mix as well.....)

But holy crap is there a ton of free/cool models to ogle. With over 250 designs, and more coming, there is a lot of models you could download and print out. Now I already have a good amount of purchased 3d models and probably don't need all of these, but I plan on adding these to my growing collection.

If you don't have a 3d printer, the OpenForge collection (this link is just the OpenForge stuff) might be what pushes you over the edge...so be forewarned. Devon also has a Patreon site you might want to check out & support.

6/05/2017

Free GM Resource: Paper Horror Houses (and a link to some other cool paper models)

Free GM Resource: Paper Horror Houses (and a link to some other cool paper models)
This week's Free GM Resource is geared towards those that run more "modern" campaigns and/or horror games. Dirge Magazine has a small collection of Paper Horror Houses You Can Download, Print and Build for Free.

There are four houses in the collection, as well as a link to a paper artist that has a bunch of free models as well. I think that several of these other linked models would be on interest to Fantasy RPG GM's out there, so consider this Free GM Resource a bit of a twofer.