DM Andy Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Hello to you, both new and existing patrons! I always strive to offer the best quality maps I can make and be as helpful to you as possible. I always try to answer every question I get from various channels (I'm sorry if I missed a few!) and thought it would be a good chance to compile the most asked questions in a single place on my page. 

Below are my FAQs; I'll do my best to keep this page updated as much as possible. 

Q: How does billing work? How much will I get charged a month?

A: Patreon billing can get confusing, so I hope I can help explain. There are two types of creators; Bill per Creation and Bill per Month. I am a “bill per creation” type of creator. This means each time I release a paid map; you will get billed $3 USD. The most paid posts I will ever do in a single month is 4, as my goal is four new maps per month. So this means the most you will be billed monthly is $12 USD.

With that said, I am ever so thankful for your support! Every little bit helps me turn this dream job into my full-time job while supporting my family. Since Patreon billing works a little differently, I wanted to remind you that if you intend only to support one release ($3 USD), you’ll need to be a patron member for at least one new release before you cancel so you get billed.

That said, I want to ensure my maps are financially within reach for everyone, so I like to remind you of the limits you can set on your account. To do this, go to your profile and click on: Settings > Memberships > Click on the creator you wish to adjust > Click edit >  Set the option for “I’d like to set a monthly limit” > and then specify the number of creations you’d like to support. This means the number of times you specified in your limit is the most you will be billed. For example, if you set a limit of 2 and I release four paid posts that month, you will only be billed $6 USD instead of $12 USD but still, have access to all my maps!

Q: Will I get charged if I download maps you’ve already released?

A: Not at all! (Pretty neat, right?) Patreon is set up for you to support the content creators you like for their future work. But the maps I’ve released are available for download at no charge. I also keep my entire back catalog open for all my Patreon supporters, so go nuts!

Q: When will I be billed?

A: I am a “per creation” creator, so you will see only billing twice. If you are a current member with me, you will be billed on the 1st of each month for all prior months' paid posts while you were a member. If you joined mid-month and I released two paid posts that month after you joined, on the 1st, you will be billed for $6 USD (3$ USD x 2 posts), assuming you did not set a limit. If you are a member for the full month, on the 1st, you will be billed $12 USD ($3 USD x 4 posts), assuming you did not set a limit.

The second time you will be billed is upon leaving. You will be billed for all posts you committed to that month when canceling your membership. So, for example, if you leave mid-month and I release two paid posts, upon leaving, you will be billed $6 USD ($3 USD x 2 paid posts) or up to your limit if you set one.

Q: Where can I find access to all of your maps?

A: Patreon is notoriously tricky to find older posts due to its blog format style. So I’ve created a hub that I update with each new post which you can find here.

Q: How often do you post maps?

A: My goal is to post new maps four times a month. I post on Monday; more often than not, you’ll see a map released weekly. Some months have five Mondays, and on those months, I take a week break, mainly to catch my breath from working on maps!

Q: I see you have maps for some of the official modules, such as Curse of Strahd, but I don’t see the map/area I’m looking for. Where can I find it?

A: Navigating IP rules can be tricky! Anything I recreate from a published module map falls under the “Fan Content Creation Policy,” which says I must provide those maps for free but also allows for donations from sites such as Patreon (You will find public posts for all of my fan content creation maps). However, here, you can find anything not recreated from a published book in my map hub's “Dark Fantasy” section. I’m confident you will find a map to inspire your Dark Fantasy-themed campaign!

Q: I finished my Curse of Strahd campaign. Is there anything left for me at DM Andy Maps?

A: Of course there is! While the Dark Fantasy theme is my focus, you’ll find all sorts of maps on my page that are not module specific. Check out my Dark Fantasy section of maps; you’ll find various maps for any campaign you might be running!

Q: What tool do you use to make your maps?

A: I use a mix of Inkarnate and Photoshop to create my maps.

Q: Do you plan to cover any other modules outside Curse of Strahd?

A: Yes! (And no). I have loved working on maps for Curse of Strahd under the Fan Content Creation Policy, and I want to remain as flexible as possible when navigating any IP-controlled content. I plan on covering Ghosts of Saltmarsh along with Pyram King’s amazing guides, but unless it is a map from the published book that I will be recreating, the naming convention of my maps will be more generic. My goal is to create versatile maps for you to use with CoS, GosM, and other published material but also to remain flexible enough to make them so that they can be used for whatever TTRPG ruleset or campaign you might be using.

Q: I see a big quality difference in your older vs. your newer maps. Do you have plans to update the old material?

A: Yes! I’ve been mapping now for a few years, and in that time, my map skills have increased, and I’ve learned a lot more tricks & tips along the way. I’ve also started using Photoshop more to create different color moods of maps to help enhance the color scheme. I’m quite fond of the locations I mapped out a while back, and I plan on creating a “V 2.0” version of my older work.

Q: How big is each square on your grids?

A: If it is a square gridded map, I always use the standard of 5 feet per square. Even if I recreate a map from a published source that might use a larger scale, I will modify the grid to always use 5 feet per square.

Q: Your 8k files look amazing! But they are too large for my VTT, and now I’m sad. How can I be less sad about this?

A: No need to feel sad, friend! With each map release, I create Webp files in 4k and 8k, drastically reducing the file size. I try to keep the file size of the 8k webp files under 10 MB to allow them to be used in your preferred VTT. I recommend using Webp files for your VTT as they are optimized to run better on web browsers and are often smaller sizes which help with page loads.

Q: You mentioned “Webp” files. What is that?

A: I’m no file format expert, but from the web: WebP has been developed by Google to be able to create smaller and better looking images that can help make the web faster. A WepB file consists of VP8 image data, and a container based on RIFF. It is a new image format that uses lossy compression for photographic images.

In short, the file is meant for websites and works excellently with VTTs. Until recently, Roll20 did not allow Webp files, but they do now! (This is the VTT I use).

Q: What is this sizing guide document included with the Webp files?

A: This guide helps you grid your map on your chosen VTT. It contains three vital pieces of info: The intended grid size, the pixel size of the image, and the PPI (Pixels per inch) value. Programs such as Fountry VTT have the user specify the image pixel range and PPI values and then set the grid accordingly. Other tools like Roll20 make it easier to specify the grid range by just entering the values.

Q: I’m having trouble aligning my grid using a program like Foundry VTT. What am I doing wrong?

A: Grid alignment can be tricky when using non-optimized pixel-sized images. Unfortunately, the map tool I use exports in odd pixel sizes (for example, 4096 x 4096 for a 4k map), so I need to resize my files to fit with a VTT. For example, Creating a 40x40 gridded map at 4096 x 4096 makes the PPI (pixels per inch) 102.4. Most of you know that VTTs such as Foundry cannot use an odd value for their PPI. However, when I create the Webp files, I will use this as a chance to adjust the file size to make it more VTT-friendly. In the above example, I will adjust the file size to 103 PPI on a  4120 x 4120-pixel image so your map grid sizes are correct. If you have trouble fitting the grid, use my Webp files since the PPI will always be an even number. In my more recent map posts, I have been using Photoshop more and more and use this as a chance to correct the file size to an even PPI for the Jpg images along with the Webp images.

Q: How do I print your maps?

A: Full disclosure, I am not a print expert, and I rarely print things, so I’m certainly not the authority in printing physical media. Here are a few helpful articles on printing maps that might be useful. If there is something I can do to help support your map printing efforts on my end, just reach out to me, and I’ll see if it is something I can help you out with!

Article by Loot & Liar

Article by DM David

Q: Can I get roofs or individual building floors as transparent .png files?

A: Unfortunately, not at this time. Because I use a map program called Inkarnate to make my maps, I’m beholden to their terms & conditions, which prohibit me from distributing any .png files. Trust me, if I could, I would! I am very vocal about this need and constantly monitoring the Inkarnate chatter to see if any changes to their commercial license have been made to allow for this. While I fully understand their need to protect their art and assets, I hope they recognize the power of VTTs and the great modules that allow for using roofs and floors efficiently. If this ever changes, I will 100% offer this service with my map releases.

Q: Can I use your maps in my stream / live-play session?

A: Yes! I’d be honored to have your maps in your live plays or Twitch streams. All I ask is that I’m listed somewhere in the credits as “DM Andy Maps.” Any shoutouts to my social pages / Patreon would be greatly appreciated but not required.

Q: Are you available for hire for my personal commission?

A: At this time, my commissions are closed. My first priority is that of my patrons, and all of my available time is spent making maps to keep up with my weekly posts. Sadly this leaves little time for commissions. If I can continue to grow my channel and quit my day job, it’ll free up much more time for me to take on additional map work. I will let the community know once I can take on map commissions!

Q: Collabs?

A: I am currently collaborating with two content creators: Pyram King and Lunch Break Heroes. That said, my plate is pretty full, but I’d love to hear your collaboration ideas! I may not be able to commit to them, but if I have the bandwidth and the project seems like a good fit for both of us, please reach out!

Q: Interviews, talks, guest appearances?

A: If given enough notice, I would be honored to discuss my passion and map making. It truly is something I love talking about, and I am always honored to be asked. Please reach out to me with the dates you had in mind and the talking points, along with your social links, and we’ll see if we can be a good fit for each other.

Q: Use my maps for your campaign, printed them, or just did something cool using them?

A: Please share with me! If you don’t mind me shouting your awesomeness from the rooftops, I’d love to do a community spotlight post on my Patreon page and social sights. I love to showcase what you’ve done with my work! Our community is one of the most creative communities I’ve ever had the pleasure of being in, and I’m also so excited to see what incredible creations you’ve done.