CartoVox Request an invite

Quick guides · Delta V6

See how it’s done.

From your first world to a finished map or chapter. Six short walkthroughs, each under a minute, to help you find your way.

Silent videos with captions on screen. Press play when you’re ready; use full screen for a closer look.

01 / Create · Brief54 sec

Create your first world

Describe the world, compare candidates, and build a Sketch.

Read the guide: Creating a world →

Read the transcript: Create your first world
  1. Choose Generate a new world, then Writing and world building.
  2. Describe the world in a few sentences.
  3. Review the recognised ideas. Apply all to use them in the brief.
  4. Find strong matches to compare possible starting worlds.
  5. Search time omitted. Compare the candidates and choose a favourite.
  6. Continue to review your chosen seed.
  7. Continue to Build when the seed suits your world.
  8. Choose Sketch world for a quick first pass.
  9. Start the build. The app simulates the world in the background.
  10. Build time omitted. Choose Open in studio to explore your world.
Download MP4: Create your first world (6.1 MB) Text transcript: Create your first world

02 / World · Map layers36 sec

One world, many maps

Switch between map styles and read the same geography.

Read the guide: Map layers and views →

Read the transcript: One world, many maps
  1. Open Map layers to explore different readings of your world.
  2. Choose Cartography for illustrated map styles.
  3. Choose Tolkien sepia for a warm, ink-on-parchment atlas.
  4. The style changes. Your coastlines and places stay connected.
  5. Switch to Swiss analytical relief to read the shape of the land.
  6. Try Climate & seasons for maps that explain the landscape.
  7. Choose Annual rainfall to compare wet and dry regions.
  8. Use the scale to read the values behind the colours.
Download MP4: One world, many maps (8.4 MB) Text transcript: One world, many maps

03 / World · Map cell inspector30 sec

Understand a place’s climate

Inspect a cell and trace the climate behind its landscape.

Read the guide: The cell inspector →

Read the transcript: Understand a place’s climate
  1. Click a place on the map to open its cell inspector.
  2. Read the elevation, temperature and annual rainfall for this cell.
  3. Find “Why is the climate here?” in the inspector.
  4. Choose Explain this cell to inspect the climate model.
  5. Compare local rainfall with the latitude’s baseline and contributing factors.
  6. Read where the air came from and what it crossed on the way.
Download MP4: Understand a place’s climate (6.8 MB) Text transcript: Understand a place’s climate

04 / World · Travel34 sec

Plan a believable journey

Choose two places, calculate a route, and read what it demands.

Read the guide: Journey Laboratory →

Read the transcript: Plan a believable journey
  1. Open World → Travel to plan a route through the saved terrain.
  2. Choose a starting place and a destination on the same landmass.
  3. Keep On foot, then check the season and party size.
  4. Calculate journey to find the route and its costs.
  5. The route follows the world’s terrain, roads and crossings.
  6. Scroll down for distance, travel time and the elevation profile.
  7. Read the daily travel journal before you leave.
Download MP4: Plan a believable journey (4.8 MB) Text transcript: Plan a believable journey

05 / Write · Manuscript46 sec

Write beside your world

Start a book and link a place directly inside your chapter.

Read the guide: The manuscript desk →

Read the transcript: Write beside your world
  1. Open Write → Manuscript to start a book in this world.
  2. Choose New book and give it a title.
  3. Add a chapter to begin drafting.
  4. Write your opening. The chapter saves as you work.
  5. Type [[ and the start of a place name to search your world.
  6. Select the place to add a link inside your prose.
  7. Wait for Saved. Your chapter and its place link are kept together.
Download MP4: Write beside your world (2.9 MB) Text transcript: Write beside your world

06 / World · Atlas and export36 sec

Take your maps with you

Save an atlas plate and export editable vector artwork.

Read the guide: Export formats →

Read the transcript: Take your maps with you
  1. Open Map layers → Atlas plates to browse your finished sheets.
  2. Choose Illustrated world to view the complete atlas plate.
  3. Open Download, then save the Original PNG.
  4. Open Export on the bottom dock for other file formats.
  5. Choose Vector map, quick to download editable SVG artwork.
  6. Keep the PNG as a finished image; edit the SVG in a vector editor.
Download MP4: Take your maps with you (8.5 MB) Text transcript: Take your maps with you

Recorded in Delta V6 (0.9.7). Search and build waits are omitted where labelled.