Virtual Battlemap

After trying to use this several times over the last year, I have given up on it as too difficult to use. The UI is too small, the camera movement is poor and irritatiing, it misses alot of simple tools (click and drag for "paving" an area, symmetry functions, and too small a preview bar for tiles for example).. I really wante dto like this and get some use out of it, but it appears the creators ignore much of the community suggestions. So it gets deleted from my desktop and I go in search of something better and easier to use. Maybe fantasy grounds?

User interface is very bad. The maps this program designs are very high quality, however even after watching the tutorial I find the software hard to use, and have deleted many maps by accident because the software will override work without warning. I really wanted to like this, but I am left very frustrated.

Not the most friendly user interface, and deffo not left-hand friendly. Moving and orienting stuff doesnt feel natural either :( Such as shame as this is an amazing piece of software, but after reading other users comments AFTER BUYING it (i should know better and read before buying) there hasnt been any updates in ages, nor any sign of any coming soon. Fingers crossed im wrong...

This was the first mapping program I really enjoyed. With the purchase of the main program and some DLCs, I was able to make a high-quality battlemap for Table LCD projection with a minimal learning curve. As others have stated, you are charged for the DLCs, which is a model people don't like. I don't mind because I hire artists in my day job and it's all expensive. So I get it. Be that as it may, at the end of the day, can I make maps my players can adventure on in a few days time? And that answer is yes. And it's super fun. My major beef is actually pretty esoteric--I want to remap the keys and there is no capability to do that. Some of the key choices are odd--sometimes I am scrolling up or down the scree by pressing "C" and the "space bar." Pros: Quick battle mats Can make a really good maps without artistic skill Fun to use Really nice looking assets Can design a battlemap for most adventure scenarios Cons: The Early 2000's called. They want their UI back. No duplicate object function Suggestions: Ability to remap keys A template for a 40" TV screen for 1" squares. Duplicate object function Cycle objects select function Warning: Fantasy Grounds is going to release a Unity Version. If they expand their mapping, then Dragon needs to get with it and come out with a better, easier to use version. I would start how selecting assets from DLCs and such work. Basically everyone does this better than Virtual Battlemap. Bottom Line: I really like the maps I make and I'm not an artist. But I can click and move objects around. Great stuff.

I wasn't really sure whether I should write a review for this software or not - especially after I've initially struggled with using it and at first, found it largely un-intuitive. BUT... a recent campaign which I am going to run for our D6 based Star Wars virtual tabletop group has inspired me to give Virtual Battlemap another try, and so here I am ... attempting to do just that and give the program an unbiased review. First off, this is a settings builder. It is a software that can help you as a GM (or a 3d visual artist) build a variety of places that make great visual aids in depicting fantasy role-playing scenarios. Now that I've had several hours to tinker with it, I can see that it is a lot like online LEGO - and like LEGO, it comes with a variety of DLCs or 'sets' that you can apply in creating a stunning visual of your game or adventure setting. True to its description, VB is a program that will help you build tabletop rpg maps in virtual space and then export them as high quality images for live gaming purposes (whether tabletop or online play.) Exporting these maps for either of the aforementioned purposes can utilize high quality resolution, although I have only had the chance to test the online option, so far (given that our group only does virtual tabletop gaming, we do not have much use for the hard copy print outs). I have to say that I was very pleased with the results; the lighting module which can change the ambiance of your setting in a flash - was especially stunning - specifically when building maps that were meant to project a particular type of ambiance, or mood. The amount of objects accessible so far, via various DLCs - is satisfactory and suitable for my purposes as a GM - the only area it is currently lacking in, is more science fiction components. I am patient however, and hope that more such relevant DLCs will be released in the near future. Second, the controls. After having seen (at long last), the beginner's tutorial video (available both on YouTube and on the Developer's website), I finally gained a solid understanding of how to become more efficient with the program's mechanics. I recommend this video to anyone who finds the software intimidating - you will find that as concise as it is, it gives you all the tools you need, to get going - and fast, too. (I am myself a visually impaired person, and I have to say even I find these controls to be easy to learn and manipulate.) All it took, was a little bit of patience. Third, lets talk Price - and I mean, the whole price - including the DLCs. Sure, at $30 it is not considered 'inexpensive', and with the DLC's averaging at around half the price of the software, you will quickly spend a $100 without thinking about it. Yet, when you consider how much the basic LEGO set is, and then try to buy 5 or 6 *themed* sets to accompany it, you will spend quite a bit more. Basically, the way I see it, is this: What is the utility provided by this software, worth - to YOU? Is it worth what the developer asking for? Do you believe he has put in enough (or more than enough) effort, to warrant the price tag? It definitely, is - to me. As a Game Master who has spent years utilizing PDFs and crappy images of things found online (which more often than not, were grossly inadequate), I find Virtual Battlemap to be a breath of fresh air. YES, it will take time to build things with this software. YES, it will take a lot of patience on the user's part. YES, it will cost you some money if you wish to invest in it to the point where you can do everything and anything the software is capable of building. (I chose to forego going to Subway once a week to get myself a DLC. After a few months, I had all the DLCs I needed.) Yet in return, you will have a ton of fun, creating your own custom map which your players will appreciate and be awed by - as a Game Master, that is all the reward I need. :) Thus, for the time being - I give it a 9/10 - with room for growth. [b]FINAL VERDICT:[/b] Highly Recommended - for patient, imaginative, open-minded Game Masters

Logiciel de création de donjon, il est assez simple a prendre en main ( faut juste changer son clavier en Qwerty ) mais malheureusement il lui manque beaucoup de fonctionnalité, il est très mal optimisé et le contenu est assez pauvre je dois le dire, au début c'est sympa mais on fait vite le tour, donc je ne le recommande pas, d'autre logiciel beaucoup plus performant et mis a jour régulièrement existent pour un prix plus ou moins modeste. Donc vous pouvez passer votre chemin, Next !!!

i have mixed feelings really, this progect would be better if the starting price was a little higher BUT updated with the new dlc because this is getting out of hand the people are getting riped off by this scummy tactic, i know moddling takes time and effort but as a game developer myself i would never divide a game THIS MUCH into dlc maybe take half of your dlc's content and port it into the main part of the game the program is great but the impact on ones wallet is not worth it

Has the potential to create beautiful maps in the future, however lacks some features at present that I would consider essential to creating realistic environments. There are no options for blending floor textures, leaving you with a blocky tiled look that needs to be covered with foliage/vegetation. While the vegetation looks lovely, there is inconsistency in that some trees are animated, some are not. Also, when scaling items, they do not scale in line with the grid, meaning that some items end up being out of line with others. I also found it difficult to line doors up with door frames. This aside, the lighting does look very nice, nicer than any other map making software I've come across, however being able to control the brightness/temperature of individual lights would make the experience much better.

This is everything it claims to be, and has been an immense boon for creating content for my table top players. It's quick and easy to use, and very stable. The only complaints really are about cost, but don't let that discourage you, the devs deserve to get paid for their work, and honestly, despite how poor I am, (lol) I don't mind the investment for what I get out of it.

Good program. Can be a little hard to move around at times, but it really allows you to release your creativity, and do it in a way that makes the learning curve comfortable.