Tutorial: Use your RPG Photoshop maps in gameplay!

[Editor's Note: This is the final part in a 3-part look at creating your own quick RPG maps. Part I is here, and Part II is here.]

So, if you’re playing a copy of our home game, you’ve made yourself a simple, fun little map. And now you’d like to impress your players by using it during gameplay. You could print it, but you’d scream 90s so much that you just as well show up in a Pearl Jam T-shirt and flannel.

Nope — we’re going to do this the right way: by using a laptop, and a TV or projector.

It’s really simple, but if you’re new to Photoshop, this will likely help you out. Let’s revisit our earlier map, just for reference. It looked like this:

Now, we’re going to get it ready for your miniatures. The first thing we’ve got to do is check a few settings and clean up any residual messes.

1. Prep your layers palettes.

We need to make sure that our layers are grouped effectively and simply, while still giving us the maximum amount of flexibility. What I’ve done is combine my layers down to things I know won’t move (rocks, trees and walls), and then created a massive group out of everything I want to move later.

We’re also going to want to click the PADLOCK icon on each layer that won’t move, just to ensure that the trees don’t go skittering off somewhere by accident. You should now have a pile of padlocked palettes.

2. Double check your move settings.

Using a map in gameplay is all about the move tool. Make sure AUTO SELECT is checked, and that the drop-down beside it shows LAYER. Basically, when the move tool is selected, make sure your palette looks like this:

3. Add your minatures.

If you haven’t figured out that I’m going to pimp the wizards at RPGMapshare.com, then you haven’t read Parts I or II. Grab them, put them on their own layers by pasting them in, and name the layers. (Don’t forget to scale them down to the right size by using CMD T to transform.)

4. Have fun with things!

Here are three heroes about to make a move on our little outpost. Using the MOVE tool (Shortcut: V), you can drag them around anywhere — if your settings are right, you don’t have to manually select layers — just click and drag. Using CMD T will allow you to rotate them to face a new direction.

And, lastly, throw in a few explosions!

It’s simple once you try it. And I’m happy to help if you have questions!