So first, let me recommend www.worldmapgenerator.com, which is where I found the source maps. In this case it’s a Robinson Projection though I was also able to use the tools at worldmapgenerator.com to shift my center point from 0° 0° to 120° E and 120° W longitude to ‘re-center’ each of the three maps. And while I could have exported the source maps as SVG files (and then proceeded with some kind of digital work flow), the files weren’t really what I was looking for. I used my templates, and while relying heavily on the map reference, I tried free-hand drawing the coastlines.¹

Here’s the triptych:

I’m making the most of the real estate available given the 8.5×11 restriction – The presentation could have been six equally sized² hexagons, but here we have three maps, each page showing two hexagons overlapping.

And the scale is 1 Hex = 600 nautical miles = 10° of latitude.

If comments were enabled on this blog³, the first comment would no doubt be some variation on, “why?”

Using the Most Obvious Model Available seemed like a good way to test the template and to also get a real feel for the scales involved. Africa is a handy ruler to have: 40° to 40° and right on top of the equator where distortion is minimal. It’s something I’ll definitely keep in mind as sketch out fantasy continents. It was also an exercise in how much detail is lost at this scale. A lot of my map making will no doubt be one scale down (zoomed in one scale) as opposed to these ‘world maps’ – either the triptych or the set of six hexagons. But the work so far has been great — both the output and practice — and I’m pleased to have the tools and these templates in my map-making toolbox.

Edit to add: these were sketched on my multi-use, kitchen sink template but at some point I’ll bust open inkscape again and make one for you that is specifically equator +/- 70° and includes the latitude and longitude grid lines over the hex map. Probably two, both the 8.5×11 that I’ve used above, and a ‘single hex’ variant. AT SOME POINT but not soon, unless I get a kick-in-the-ass that persuades me otherwise.⁵

¹ Coastlines are hard, yo. Europe, Indonesia, and the Philippines were designed by a vicious, angry god who wanted to punish cartographers particularly. Actively punish them.

² the planet we live on has this weird northern hemisphere bias, so on at least two of the maps you can see where I had to go way past 65° N latitude to capture the familiar coastlines. This is fine; the templates were designed to allow ‘coloring outside the lines’ as a feature, but it still could be a neater presentation.

³ heh. [4]

⁴ still my best decision from 2017

⁵ Under the current regime: I have to work 40 hours a week and I’ll be honest, sometimes that work leaves me completely drained. This blog reflects what I like to do to unwind, it is a hobby — not my primary job — and you are gonna get what you get. I don’t anticipate these circumstances changing. So, “at some point” means: at some point. IF *I* need the tool sooner, it will be sooner, but I appreciate your patience and your willingness to use the tools and templates shared to date to get there even if I can’t, at this moment, hold your hand and make every step super easy with extra super-specialized tools and templates.