I am trying to build a map of the fantasy world I am creating for a game I am looking to run, and need some electronic software that meets the following criteria:

- Maps look good (not mega professional, just good)
- Works on Mac (or iPad if possible)
- can add features like cities, roads, forests, mountains, etc.
- can annotate map.
- Scaleable, maybe using hexes.
- easy to use for amateur.
- maps downloadable for use elsewhere (ie posting in rpol)
- free to use!

Any recommendations?

Are you talking world-building maps or smaller encounter maps? If it's the latter, MapTools is a good bet if you can scavenge some of the item databases around the internet and if you watch a tutorial, is decently user-friendly. As for the prior, I'm at a loss there but if you do find one, let us know!

I am not aware of a cross platform (OS X and iOS) tool.  For simple hex maps on iOS, Hex Map is functional, and the Pro version, which is only $3.99 is more flexible.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/ap...pro/id505766102?mt=8

http://oldschooldm.wordpress.com/about/hex-map-pro/

For OS X HExographer is free, though there is a paid version as well.

http://www.hexographer.com/

MapTools is also frequently recommended (as in just now).

http://www.rptools.net/?page=maptool

Thanks, will check those out.

In reply to Visceri22 (msg # 2):

Initially world building...

In reply to otghand (msg # 3):

Thanks.

HexMap on iPad good for me to track a battle, but cannot download so cannot post in rpol game thread.

MapTools, no good for iPad but will try on my Mac later, thanks. Same with hexographer.