Please note:  this is a FLEX class.  There are no live meetings scheduled.  Students are given access to instructional videos and complete their homework assignment at their own pace.

Maps are an important part of playing Dungeons and Dragons, and it is the Dungeon Master’s responsibility to make any maps that will be needed during their game.  While hastily scrawled maps are sufficient, a well-made, visually appealing map can provide an added level of immersion to players and Dungeon Master alike.  This class will teach learners how to use Dungeondraft, a popular map-making software. 

Dungeondraft can be used for making maps for D&D games, but it can be also be used to make maps for other tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) or any other game where maps are needed.

Each Sunday, students will be given access to a video demonstration along with a handout of what is discussed in the video.  Each week will also include an assignment that will give learners practice with the techniques shown in that week's lesson.  Other activities will include analyzing official Dungeons and Dragons maps.

We will use the Outschool classroom page to communicate.  Students can turn in assignments either by posting them as attachments on the classroom page or by sending them to me privately via the Teacher tab.  I'm happy to answer questions on the classroom page or in private messaging, and I am also happy to set up a private video chat to go over subject matter or assignments if a student wishes.

Students should participate in the discussion questions posted each week, complete their map assignment, and provide kind and helpful feedback on other learners’ work.  Students who prefer not to share with the group may send me their mapwork privately.

Week One
The first week of class will focus on Dungeondraft’s interface.  Students will learn about the various tools and basic functionalities.  We will also discuss how to add custom assets.  Students will be instructed in how to create a simple room layout, then they will create their own simple map and share it with the class.  Students are encouraged to provide kind, constructive feedback on other students’ designs.

Week Two
During the second week, students will learn how to add details to their maps.  I will demonstrate the different types of objects that can be placed on maps, how to layer them to create new objects, and how to add lighting and shadows to their maps.  Students will then be expected to add details to the map they created in the previous week, experimenting with adding layers, lighting, and shadows.  Everyone will be encouraged to provide helpful feedback on each others’ work.
We will also discuss perspective and the difference between isometric maps and planar maps, and the relative benefits and drawbacks of each style.

Week Three
Our focus for the third week will be on exterior mapping.  Students will learn how to use the various terrain tools, including different terrain brushes and materials, how to create water features, caves, and paths.  I will demonstrate different ways to create atmosphere with exterior maps, and students will be instructed to create their own exterior map to share with the class.  Students should provide kind, constructive feedback on their classmates’ work.
We will also look at several different exterior maps that are featured in official Wizards of the Coast campaign modules and students will evaluate them for ease of use, realism, atmosphere, and perspective.

Week Four
During the fourth week, students will practice making more complicated interior maps.  We will cover general architectural principles, appropriate scale and sizing of buildings and features within buildings, and how to convey the purpose and atmosphere of the interior spaces we create.  Students should create their own multi-room interior map of a shop, tavern, home, etc, and they will be encouraged to provide helpful feedback on other learners’ maps.
We will also examine several different interior maps that are featured in official Wizards of the Coast campaign modules and evaluate them for ease of use, realism, atmosphere, and perspective.

Week Five
For the fifth week, we will cover the advanced settings in Dungeondraft, such as levels, labels, and prefabs.  We will also learn how to export our maps to useable image files and the various settings involved with exporting maps.  Students will use all of the skills they have learned in this week’s challenge – a map that features both interior and exterior areas and multiple levels.  This might be a section of a town or any other similar idea that students can think of.  Everyone will then provide helpful, kind feedback on each other’s maps.