Inkarnate VS Wonderdraft : Which should you choose.

In this Video I go over many of the key functions of both apps, showing examples of maps created with both, talking about the pros and cons and giving timelapse demos of the apps in progress. If you're on the fence about which one to start mapping with, or are curious if you should switch over to the other, this video should help!

[@gnouman2861]

Wonderdraft + Dungeondraft the perfect combo !

[@SomeDungeonGuy]

Honestly I have only just picked up dungeondraft.. omg it's great...

[@JudasBrennan]

​@SomeDungeonGuy it's part of the same suite. Comparing half of the *draft suite to Inkarnate is disingenuous.

[@SomeDungeonGuy]

That's fair.. but the suite requires two separate skill sets to use as they are not quite the same... And it doubles the price. But your point is fair

[@umadbroimatroll7918]

@@SomeDungeonGuy technically double the price, however I have gave more money to inkarnate than wonderdraft, yet I cant use inkarnate anymore unless i want to pay even more, my total for nothing in the end is over $100.

[@woodsy899]

I'm new to it all but I've been using Dungeon Alchemist to make super detailed and quick battlemaps.

[@Johnggernaut]

You’ve convinced me to sub to Inkarnate for a month and purchase Dungeondraft. I think both have styles that could fit different kinds of content I’m making.

[@SomeDungeonGuy]

I've been subbed for a while.. I do like DD but incarnate has my love .. best of luck!!

[@scotmcpherson]

honestly, it depends HEAVILY on what you are looking for. Inkarnate has more features, but wonderdraft and dungeon draft make maps with tighter detail. coastlines in wonderdraft come out far superior to inkarnate, but inkarnate has a more intuitive asset and color selection process. It all depends on what you like. I use both sets of software depending on my goals at the time.

[@SomeDungeonGuy]

I use both also.. and I agree it depends a lot on what you're doing... I tend to use incarnate way more often as it is flexible and the amount of assets included means I can mix and match to my needs.. but good call outs.

[@TonyCrenshawsLatte]

6:26 Using the bracket keys for increasing/decreasing brush size is a Photoshop thing. For people with Photoshop experience, that's a second-nature keybinding. Great comparison video!

[@SomeDungeonGuy]

Good call out.. thanks!

[@Jadegreif]

Great video, I am currently looking into map tool options for creating a map of an underworld setting, if you are familiar with the Avernum computer games, something in that. A hollow world setting, with land sized caves, fungul trees, things like that. With the asset count, I would say say Inkarnate seems the better solution here, but not sure yet.

[@SomeDungeonGuy]

I really like it's flexibility. And they've added sci do settings now.. so that's awesome also.

[@ralphciper9558]

Enjoyed your fair comparison of these two products.

[@SomeDungeonGuy]

Awesome, thanks for the feedback. I've got more coverage of both coming so stay tuned :-)

[@guggeri]

Great video ❤

[@SomeDungeonGuy]

Well I definitely appreciate that!

[@helixxharpell]

If you're doing anything commercial. Stay away from Inkarnate. Everything you do that goes commercial belongs to them!

[@SomeDungeonGuy]

Curious where that info comes from?

[@marcrodrigue3355]

@@SomeDungeonGuy I am curious too. Inkarnate FAQ page states rather clearly that: "Yes you can use all maps made with Inkarnate Pro commercially, even after your subscription expires."

[@marcrodrigue3355]

​@@SomeDungeonGuy Then again, something seems fishy in Terms, "Ownership of and Responsibility for Content" section… (I am used to reading very carefully IP/rights sections)

[@helixxharpell]

​@@SomeDungeonGuySorry, late replying. After reading the fine print, Inkarnate doesn't allow commercial use of the content made with their software. So I stayed away from them. I'll be giving Wonderdraft full credit when our Kickstarter comes out.

[@GoodName111]

I would say that Inkarnate as 90% of people who consider Wonderdraft better is the Inkarnate from 4+ years ago. It has infinitely more features, art, QoL and styles than it used to have years and the only thing I say that Wonderdraft does better is raising/lowering sea level and Dungeon Draft's better lighting engine. Inkarnate has a larger learning curve but once you learn it you can consistently make maps (Both world maps and battlemaps) which look far, far better than anything possible in Wonderdraft or Dungeondraft.

[@SomeDungeonGuy]

Yes! I've mentioned in a couple videos how great the raise and lower land tool is. I use both but just can't bring myself to use wonderdraft much because I don't find it as versatile and the assets that come with it are so limited. And I know you can get packs etc... But right out of the gate you can do dungeons and worlds in one app that look far better imho.

[@scotmcpherson]

i'd agree, except the level of detail down to the pixel is far superior in wonderdraft. You just can't get the same level of detail in inkarnate...you can try and do decently, but it's nothing like wonderdraft.

[@SomeDungeonGuy]

@@scotmcpherson Are you referring to the actual sprites used aren't as crisp? or are you referring to the minor details of things like the terrain builder, or ways that you can affect the maps themselves? I may do a comparison on this... an 8K inkarnate map is detailed enough that I make 24x32 (ish I don't remember the specifics I have behind me :) ) posters look pretty good...

[@scotmcpherson]

@@SomeDungeonGuy I didn’t say they don’t look good. Not at all. Just saying that if you are detail oriented down to the pixel level, the wonderdraft will probably make you happier. The only thing wrong with Wonder draft really is the lack of assets, but you can get or make your own if you are interested.

[@SomeDungeonGuy]

Haha I took no offense :-) I'll check that out. Not sure I realized that.. though with the multitude of options of sizes in wd that makes sense..

[@GoodName111]

One thing I would say after having used both (Though I have used Inkarnate way more Wonderdraft) is that Inkarnate has a steeper (But also more rewarding) learning curve, the first couple maps you make with Inkarnate won't look too great while with Wonderdraft is is easier to make alright maps. But after you learn to use both properly though, I would say that Inkarnate maps in general (Both battlemaps and world maps) are going to look nicer, it's just more customizable and making proper use of the high quality and very customizable art and textures can make gorgeous maps in a way that is hard to do in Wonderdraft's simpler art style. I have a timelapse (the newsest one) of a world map which uses all of Inkarnate's features in a way you can after learning it properly to get pretty lighting effects and colors which anyone can check out if they're interested.

[@SomeDungeonGuy]

I find inkarnate just so much faster and better looking, not to mention with more out of the box options.

[@coryguitargod4885]

@@SomeDungeonGuy Can’t Inkarnate & Dungeon Alchemist sue you if you use them for your own TTRPG and begin gaining revenue from it? Their terms of service are confusing, and I would hate to put in all the effort, just to get sued… anyone who could help answer this, it would be very much appreciated as it’s the key things stopping me from just going with Wonder/Dungeon Draft for my world map & battle maps. 🤷‍♂️ Very insightful content - subscribed! (:

[@SomeDungeonGuy]

Inkarnate pro allows for commercial use.. don't quote me, but it's part of the thing somewhere. I checked before I started making maps on Fiverr. Not sure about WD but I imagine it's similar.

[@ghjuyt101]

​​@@SomeDungeonGuy It is not similar, on their webside it says royalty free Inkarnate also has a bad reputation when it comes to comertial content

[@billtaylor2801]

What’s your definition of “battle map?” I’ve seen many town and dungeon “battle maps” I would use for D&D from wonderdraft. Are talking about war gaming maps or something?

[@SomeDungeonGuy]

Specifically battle map tends to mean like inside buildings and Close quarters things like that with a whole lot of detail in which case something like dungeon draft is ideal

[@billtaylor2801]

@@SomeDungeonGuy ok, thanks. I’ll try and look through some of your other videos and see if I see what you’re talking about. I’m looking to use one of these programs and I’ve seen maps for buildings that would be good for what I do in D&D and I saw the side by side you did for continent sized maps but I’d be interested to see the battle maps you’re talking about for incarnate

[@SomeDungeonGuy]

Personally if you're looking to make world maps OR dungeon/close quarters battle maps . Inkarnate. I find it much easier to use and the results are great. I'd you want to focus on dungeons and close quarters dungeon draft is very powerful and fast for that. Inkarnate does both very well

[@SomeDungeonGuy]

If you have questions lemme know.

[@billtaylor2801]

@@SomeDungeonGuy awesome thank you so much you’ve been more than helpful. I appreciate it.

[@arekisan5239]

You get shafted with the sub, Get wondercraft since it cost you way less and does what you want in the first place. Oh I want to make it prettier ! Yeah pay for it and be proud falsely proud of yourself

[@SomeDungeonGuy]

To each their own I suppose... But $25 a year is worth it for me. That's the same amount as paying for gas to drive half a mile a day so.. eh

[@moose6932]

I feel like you get shafted with the 1 time purchase. There is no free trial, extremely limited assets, tools, and styles that aren't requiring more money etc. I would take a $25 a year sub for quantity and quality than a $30 one time purchase for the limited (but still great) features offered by wonderdraft, not to mention that if you want to make dungon maps you need a whole other app but I guess that's just how I see it.

[@arekisan5239]

@@moose6932 What... subs doesn't means you get quality and quantity. Import assests from the community into wonderdraft instead. And rewards the facts that you own what you bought. I pay for fgu cause it will serve a lifetime.

[@Putper]

@@arekisan5239 Inkarnate is a service, by paying a subscription you support active development. That's how Inkarnate has a team working on it and gets updated more often, afaik Wonderdraft is made by a single guy. Of course both have very active communities that fill in the gaps.