Alternate Map Images

Shard now supports having multiple images for a single map and easily switching between them while maintaining fog state, map position and all tokens.

While working with map makers and other content creators, we discovered that it is fairly common to have multiple versions of the same map. For map packs there are a variety of reasons for this:

• Different times of day or season. Allows the GM to pick the image that is appropriate to the time of day or time of year that the characters are interacting with the map.

• Different grid options. While Shard provides a standard 5ft grid, map makers can always provide a more optimized grid options that fit with the color, tone and style of the map.

• Different settings. To make it easy to fit maps into a variety of settings there can be versions for different environments, for example: jungle or desert.

There are also cases where multiple map images are used as part of storytelling: different maps for a sinking ship at different stages of sinking, a village in different stages of burning down, or different images to indicate different magical state for a region.

Having different maps to switch between these different images proved to be a clumsy process to move all of the tokens into the correct position and reset the fog state. This new feature allows a map to have multiple images and allow the GM to quickly switch between them.

When creating a map there is now an option to add alternate images to the map. These images should have the same aspect ratio as the default map to ensure that they provide a seamless experience when switching.

To select an alternate image, go to the map pick tool and select Pick Alternate Image. Select the image that you want and the map will change to the new image without changing your fog or token state.

We worked with existing content providers to have some maps available that demonstrate this feature. Sirens: Battle of the Bards (Free Preview) from Apotheosis Studios shows off both alternative map images and extensions. Czepeku highlights alternative images in both the Adventurer's Guildhall and Necropolis Entrance map packs.

Let us know how you are using alternate map images here or on any of our social channels.

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