In order to complete a project, a mapmaker must have access to software and tools.
First of all, every mapmaker must have graphics software.
There are several graphics software around, but mostly our mapmakers use:
Adobe Photoshop® - 30 Days Trial
GIMP - Free
Fireworks - 30 Days Trial
To be able to get a map through the Foundry you must also upload your images and XML onto a hosting site:
Photobucket - Highly reliable site that lets you upload and store image files. 1GB storage space and 25GB of monthly bandwidth allowance for free members.
Imageshack - Free file storage with unlimited space and unlimited bandwidth. Additional tools/plugins that allow for quick and easy uploading of images.
Ripway.com - Good hosting site that allows you to upload any file type. Good for both XML and images. Small bandwidth and storage allowance.
Fileden.com - A free file hosting site. 1GB of personal storage space. 50MB maximum file size limit. 5GB of monthly bandwidth. Direct link to XML files.
In addition, several members of the community have created some tools to help the process of map creation along:
Official Mapmaker XML Tool - Checks the validity of XML map code
Army Circles Images - The standard 22px diameter circle image ready-to-use, you only need to set the transparency according to your preferences.
Army Numbers Images - The 0-9, 88 and 888 digits in all colors. Useful in case you want to show neutral troops or test if everything fits on the map.
Bonus Calculator - An Excel Spreadsheet to assist you with the bonuses. Insert into the fields all the required data and it will give you the suggested values.
Bonus Probability Calculator - An Excel Spreadsheet to assist in determining how likely a player is to drop a specific bonus (regular or build-your-own).