View source for Large Area Maps in Photoshop

These instructions use the base .psd map entitled "Map-Raw.psd". Instructions are given on a layer-by-layer basis.

Start with either the Generating a Land Form steps OR the Using an Already-Existing Shape steps.
==Generating a Land Form==
===Background Layer===
* Filter > Render > Clouds
* Create "Paint Layer"
===Paint Layer===
* Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Threshold 1
* At this point, landmass-like shapes will appear.
* '''Brush:''' Soft, Size 200, Opacity 10%
* Paint Layer > Opacity 50%
* With Black, click onto areas you want to remove land. This removes land with each click.
* With White, click onto areas you want to add land. This adds land with each click.
* Reduce Brush size to deal with smaller details.
* Select > All
* Edit > Copy Merged
* Click on the Channels Tab
==Using an Already-Existing Shape==
* Place the map shape into a layer above the Background layer.
* Color the land so that it is white, and the seas so that they are black.
* Select > All
* Edit > Copy Merged
* Click on the Channels Tab
==Alpha Channel==
* Create new Channel.
* Edit > Paste to new Channel.
* click on "Threshold 1" layer in Layers.
===Threshold 1===
* Layer > Delete > Layer
* Create "Land" Layer
==Land==
* Select > Load Selection > Alpha 1
* Edit > Fill > Foreground Color (should be White)
==The Ocean==
This step can be skipped if the map has no ocean areas. Delete all oceanic layers except "Water Main" if this is the case.
===Ocean Deep===
* Select > Load Selection > Alpha 1
* Select > Inverse
* Select > Modify > Contract > 25 pixels
* Select > Feather > 15 pixels
* Filter > Render > Clouds
* Filter > Render > Difference Clouds (repeat several times)
===Ocean Emphasis===
* '''Brush:''' Soft, Size 100, Opacity 25%, Black
* Paint deep areas of water.
* Switch to White
* Paint shallow areas of water.
===Ocean Shallow===
* Select > Load Selection > Alpha 1
* Select > Modify > Contract > 10 pixels
* Select > Feather > 10 pixels
* Edit > Fill > White