Arkenforge Basics. A 60 minute crash course.
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- čas přidán 20. 07. 2024
- In the beginning of 2023 Arkenforge swapped its old UI to a new, sleek form. While it's way more intuitive than the older one, you can still be intimidated by the number of options it gives you. Well, say no more!
In around 60 minutes we'll get to know all the core functionalities of the app with examples. The videos is intentionally slowed down, so that everyone has a fair chance to catch up. If you're itching to build something, but lack the confidence with the UI and got some spare time, this video will guide you through all the basic stuff that you need to start you own adventure.
The video is segmented into small chunks. There's a small mouse and keyboard overlay that show you whenever I click or use one of the basic keys (ctrl, alt, shift, del or others).
The video is 99% about mapmaking in Arkenforge, I don't talk about the soundscape or encyclopedia modules - you should definitely check them out though!
This video was created using Arkenforge version 4.1.150.
YOUR VERSION WILL MOST CERTAINLY BE DIFFERENT! but that does not mean the functions are. Until we're in 4.1, you're probably good.
If you got the time - leave a comment, watch the tips videos and speedbuilds, 'like' and all that stuff. It helps the videos in being more visible, and thus easier to find for other people! I'm especially fond of the Digital Cartography series (momentary on hiatus ^^).
Be absolutely sure to check out the official Arkenforge Tutorials if you like this video! Find them @Arkenforge!
Thanks for watching!
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:12 Main screen
01:39 First steps
02:21 Adjusting settings
03:17 Map menu
03:41 Terrain assets
04:46 Replacing assets
05:10 Layers - basic knowledge
05:58 Removing assets
06:19 Positioning Assets and snapping assets to the grid
07:11 Rotation
07:57 Randomizing assets
08:18 Object-tile
08:41 Object brush
08:56 Creating random spreads
10:01 Basic asset manipulation
12:08 Rotating and resizing objects before they are set
13:22 Objects as light sources
14:31 Chroma Key
16:38 Standalone lights
18:23 Lock/unlock an asset
19:49 Standalone lights II
20:30 Light barriers
22:04 Asset shadows
23:14 Ambient light
23:31 Manipulating shadows
24:19 Layer Stack
24:43 Move above/below option
25:52 Lock/unlock panel
28:02 Line-placement
34:47 Deselecting objects from the layer stack
35:42 Layer Stack II
37:11 Tile Scale and rotation
38:16 Levels
41:31 Animations - objects
45:29 Animations - lights
47:06 Animations - lines
47:55 Animations - tiles
49:55 Making an object 'see' through FOW
51:42 General accessibility settings
53:28 Adjusting the hovering Quick Access menu
54:30 A glance at the Content Library
55:15 Using an object as a reference for other placement types
55:54 Grouping objects
57:42 Export options
1:00:06 Outro - Hry
Wow this video is instrumental for anyone using or wanting to use Arkenforge. I hope another one comes out showing more advanced map making techniques. Thanks for making this video.
I'm just getting into using a set of external monitors as a play mat for my players to use minis on top of, so of course digging around some found me Arkenforge which was already making what I wanted to do a lot easier. After seeing your video I now have a much better grasp on how to use it, and I also didn't know about exporting to other VTT systems when I was first looking at Arkenforge, knowing that's there really makes me happy as I can use this tool even if I change to a different system in the future. You've taken me from the "trial" to a "screw it I'm buying the huge package" with this thing.
Wow, I tried ArkenForge quite a while ago and found it difficult to use. The new UI changes have made a big difference. This tool is great, and really easy to use now. Having tried all of the leading mapping tools, after just a few minutes use, ArkenForge is now my favorite. I love the Sci-Fi and a Cyberpunk packs.
Thank you for this, it was very helpful!
Fantastic crash course!
Thank you!! There is still so much to learn, but this got me started :) I wish someone would make a step by step "build a map with me" video tutorial. Maybe a future idea for you!
Well I technically made those in the past! You can find them in a "speedbuilds" playlist I got on the channel.
@@TimorSol oh good! I'll check them out later, thanks!!
on your strixhaven recolour you mentioned your Schley folder, i cant seem to find the exact thing id need to buy (Campaign cartographer 3?)
Does it matter which one i get?
Thanks for uploading your videos are very helpful ❤
Hey,
thanks for the super tutorial!
I´m currently looking for a good tool, or tool combination, to create maps and play them live.
I first thought of a combination of Dungeon Alchemist and Dynamic Dungeons Editor, but I don´t know if they work together...
So I´ve found Arkenforge, which looks pretty good as well and seems to combine both tools.
Is there any chance, that you could also make a tutorial video from a DM perspective, on how to use it in a live session?
Thank you in advance!! :))
I actually use a mix of DA and Arkenforge nowadays for quick mapping.
As for live sessions - I use Foundry VTT, so there's an abundance of tutorials for that software, can't think of anything I could honestly add to what other people said already ^^
got a question about exporting... If I create a map with barriers and lights on my laptop and want to transfer it to my gaming computer which we play, how is that possible? Thanks for any help you can provide
I'm trying to find information regarding what the Fantasy Starter has compared to the Fantasy Bundle.
The starter gives you the software + fantasy essentials, the fantasy bundle doesn't include the software that you need, it's only asset packs!
I noticed all the assets you have to choose from, did you just buy all the packs? If not which ones would recommend to buy or download?
Yeahhhh, I'm a bit of a collector, I buy a lot of assets.
Hi! Is possible to add Label name on tokes? like Monster 1, 2, 3 ...??
Yeah, there's two ways IIRC, though I don't use Ark for gaming myself :) but you can attach anything to anything there, so if there's a 'need' there's a way to do it.
What I've been looking for. Even Arkenforge doesn't do this. Poor way to sell their product. Those quick short vids they do just aren't enough.
Hard to satisfy all the needs ^^ i know from some sources that videos as long as this also don't hit good for everyone< because you have to devout shitload of time to watch the whole damn thing. And you gotta be sure to not fall asleep in the meantime ^^
@@TimorSol I like it as a great reference to be able to go back and what parts for things I'm working on. I'm realizing too that my older pc just is lagging on smoothness to do some of the things I want with the program. Slowly figuring out my frustrations with the program. What drives me a bit crazy is that I've reached out to them in emails and getting no response at all. Blessings of CZcams and folks like you for taking the time to share knowledge!!
@@dungeonslayer4692 That's super strange, the devs are like NEVER asleep and always reply very fast. What mail did you use? I'll reach out to them!
@@TimorSol I will check my spam and see if maybe I'm just missing them then. The Nathan guy that does their vids seems like he's probably a very nice guy. I will probably see them at GaryCon as well and can see if I can work thru some stuff. Is there any videos about sites people are using to share tokens, maps and items too? I want to do more like region maps as well and just curious as to the things I could use to draw out those maps. Maybe I'm missing a community forum or something.
I guess the best place would be the Arkenforge discord? You can check my other videos for some general cartography tools insights ^^
This is NOT user friendly anywhere..... damn it I work in IT and have used similar software before. And literally doing anything is such a pain in the ****. Like really, why is the option to set the 2nd screen/player screen not under display settings? Why do you have to DRAG AND DROP every file that isn't VTT format instead of having the option to import other file extensions via the import menu? Why is the setup of initial maps and their placement such a pain????? I dont understand, this software has gotten such great feedback, but the intuition for using the UI is terrible. Importing a map, setting a grid and setup the screens to use fog of war doesn't take hours of browsing and tutorials in other programs. But somehow you have managed to achieve that here. You must have an excellent UX designer.....
🙄 'promosm'