NSS 2008 We all know how powerful the computer is as a map drafting tool. The ability to accurately portray cave maps makes it indispensable Programs like Illustrator push our skills and abilities even farther NSS 2008 We know how to do the fundamentals, such as draw in cave passages NSS 2008 And add basic symbols NSS 2008 In fact there are many different groups of symbols available on the internet for use They are drag and drop easy to make and easy to use NSS 2008 But I want to talk about brushes Brushes are simply strung together symbols Instead of dragging and dropping a lot of ceiling drop symbols We can create a brush and string them along automatically NSS 2008 Making brushes is simple Choose a symbol you have drawn or taken from another source And open the New Brush Menu We typically use Pattern Brushes NSS 2008 Which Brings up the Pattern Brush Options I usually only play with the Scale And spacing control NSS 2008 Varying just the spacing can make the difference between a ceiling symbol and a floor symbol NSS 2008 Think about what you are trying to create. Just this symbol: when joined together with no spacing makes a great train track NSS 2008 Make up symbols to use if necessary I used this symbol to denote rocks purposely gathered into piles NSS 2008 Flowstone NSS 2008 Dirt/ Cobbles/ect The hardest thing to make look natural as a symbol Use of a symbol for a floor is often repetitive and eventually obvious, as it is used many times and often in close proximity NSS 2008 Solution #1 Use a Brush! Instead of using a symbol use a specifically set up brush! Use the same kind of base as a symbol but make it a scatter brush Randomize the size and rotations to have it slightly change each time NSS 2008 Because of these minor differences, it is much harder for the eye to pick up the repeated use of the same symbol As a result, you can fill in a lot of floor space efficiently and quickly. But you must take care not to place any part of the symbol within any other type of symbol (such as rocks) NSS 2008 Solution #2 Use a tablet and a Brush! NSS 2008 Set the tablet up to work with Illustrator! Make sure the pressure sensitive Settings are active NSS 2008 Use a calligraphic brush Set a small Dot (1-3 pts) Set pressure variation Set the amount of variation to the diameter NSS 2008 This technique allows for easy variation of cobble size, in tighter passages, or smaller maps