FANTASY GROUNDS MAP DIMENSIONS: OFFICIAL IMAGE FORMATTING AND SIZING GUIDELINES

FG Academy

Mar 2

3 min read

Updated: Jun 1

To ensure your maps align perfectly without "grid drift," use these specific pixel dimensions. These are optimized to be as close to 2K/4K as possible while remaining perfectly divisible by 100.

HORIZONTAL DIMENSIONS (16:9)

Near 2K: 2500 x 1400 pixels (25 x 14 Squares)
Near 4K: 3800 x 2100 pixels (38 x 21 Squares)

VERTICAL DIMENSIONS (9:16)

Near 2K: 1400 x 2500 pixels (14 x 25 Squares)
Near 4K: 2100 x 3800 pixels (21 x 38 Squares)

SQUARE DIMENSIONS (1:1)

2K High Quality: 2000 x 2000 pixels (20 x 20 Squares)
4K Ultra Quality: 4000 x 4000 pixels (40 x 40 Squares)

QUICK RULES FOR SUCCESS

The 100 PPI Standard is the "sweet spot" for modern Fantasy Grounds Unity. It balances high-zoom detail with manageable file sizes for players.

Legacy/Performance: For massive overland maps, use 50 PPI (half the pixels, much faster loading).
Cross-Platform: If you need Roll20 compatibility, use 70 or 140 PPI. Note: Use a width of 2520px or 3850px to keep those grids even.

⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING: THE "SOURCE MAP" TRAP...

When sourcing maps for Fantasy Grounds Academy, be extremely cautious with "found" images or low-quality or bootlegged scans:

Non-Square Grids: Maps from book scans or PDFs are often stretched during the printing process. A grid that aligns in the top-left will often be several pixels off by the bottom-right.
The Double-Grid Nightmare: Avoid maps with baked-in grids. Digital grids laid over "ghost" grids cause visual distortion and distracting Moire patterns.
Reputable Sources: Always prioritize GRIDLESS maps from reputable digital cartographers. It’s always easier to add a perfect 100px grid to a clean map than it is to fix a broken one.
And, finally, for those who absolutely must use an uneven, stretched, or distorted map, you can try fiddling about with the Map Align application, hosted on the official Fantasy Grounds forums. (No Mac/Linux support)

Link: Map Align Utility

ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR MAP CREATION

Creating maps for Fantasy Grounds Unity can be a fun and rewarding experience. Here are some additional tips to help you along the way:

USE HIGH-QUALITY IMAGERY

When you're crafting your maps, always aim for high-quality images. This not only makes your maps look better but also enhances the overall gaming experience. Trust me, no one wants to squint at a blurry map while trying to navigate through a dungeon!

CONSIDER THE THEME

Think about the theme of your campaign. Is it dark and moody, or bright and whimsical? Your map should reflect this. Use colors and styles that match the atmosphere you want to create.

TEST YOUR MAPS

Before you unveil your masterpiece to your players, test it out yourself. Load it up in Fantasy Grounds Unity and see how it looks. Are the grids aligning properly? Is everything readable? You want to make sure your players can easily navigate the terrain you’ve created.

GET FEEDBACK

Don’t be shy! Share your maps with friends or fellow game masters. They can provide valuable feedback and might even spot issues you missed. Plus, it’s always nice to get a second opinion.

STAY ORGANIZED

As you create more maps, keep them organized. Use folders and naming conventions that make sense to you. This way, when you’re in a pinch and need a map quickly, you won’t be scrambling to find it.

EMBRACE THE COMMUNITY

Join forums and groups dedicated to Fantasy Grounds Unity. You’ll find a wealth of knowledge and resources. Plus, you can share your creations and get inspired by others. It’s a great way to learn and grow as a game master.

EXPERIMENT AND HAVE FUN

Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment! Try new styles, layouts, and techniques. The more you play around, the better you’ll become. And most importantly, have fun with it! After all, this is about creating memorable experiences for you and your players.

By following these guidelines and tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating stunning maps that enhance your tabletop RPG sessions. Happy mapping!