Creator comparison 11th Edition | Updated 30 Jul 2026 | Verified against the live app | 8 min read

Making a 40K battle map: 40 Carrot vs Canva vs Tabletop Simulator

Choose the source image by what must be true: exact tabletop geometry, finished graphic design, or a cinematic 3D scene.

A top-down 40 Carrot Virtual Tabletop with terrain, deployment zones, objectives, and units placed at true scale — Notice that the deployment zones, objectives, bases, and gaps are already part of the game state. Top down · true scale

TL;DR

Use 40 Carrot when the map must preserve a real 40K position at true scale. Use Canva when the deliverable is a polished graphic with custom typography and callouts. Use Tabletop Simulator when you need a 3D scene or cinematic angle. A practical creator process is to build accurately in 40 Carrot, then finish the captured image in Canva.

Readout 01

Start with the deliverable

A deployment diagram, a turn recap, and a cinematic thumbnail are different jobs. Decide whether the final image must preserve exact geometry, carry a designed visual system, or show a 3D scene. That answer chooses the first tool.

If accuracy matters, build the position instead of drawing it. A top-down capture from a true-scale Virtual Tabletop gives the editor a reliable source frame.

Live 02

Start from mission geometry you can inspect

Use the live position to examine a 40K-native source frame before you capture it. Terrain areas, objectives, deployment zones, and unit bases stay together instead of being redrawn as separate graphic elements.

A true-scale mission layout ready to inspect before capturing a 40K battle map — Live demo · mission layoutTrue-scale source frame

Options 03

Choose the tool that wins the job

Canva

Finish the graphic

Best for typography, arrows, callouts, brand templates, thumbnails, and a stylized final layout. Distances are only as accurate as the source image you bring in.

Tabletop Simulator

Stage the 3D scene

Best for cinematic angles, physics, and scenes that need depth. It is a Steam download and the setup depends on the content you use.

40 Carrot

Build the game state

Best for a true-scale 44-inch by 60-inch table, 11th Edition layouts, objectives, zones, real base sizes, and a quick top-down capture in the browser.

Canva capability checked 30 Jul 2026 against its official keyboard shortcuts, which document rulers and guides.

Handoff 04

Give the editor a useful map brief

Copy this with the source image. It separates the facts that must stay accurate from the visual treatment that can change.

Battle map handoff

Purpose: Deployment diagram, turn recap, matchup explanation, or thumbnail.
Must preserve: Terrain footprints, objective positions, deployment zones, model bases, and measured gaps.
May change: Crop, labels, arrows, typography, color treatment, and surrounding layout.
Source: Top-down capture from the true-scale Virtual Tabletop.
Final check: Confirm every distance-sensitive element still matches the source frame.

Decision 05

Separate accuracy from polish

Draw firstFast to style, but every base, gap, and range must be estimated by hand.

Build firstCapture the true-scale position, then add the visual treatment without redrawing the game state.

Facts 06

The 40 Carrot source frame

The Virtual Tabletop, terrain, measurement, objectives, army-file import, and screenshot capture are free with an account. Full Access adds army-list text import, snapshots and replay, cloud saves, unlimited permanent share links, extra themes, data backup and restore, and General Mode with your army laid out for the table.

44×60inches at true scale

11thEdition layouts and zones

0installs required

15tables per browser tab

Ledger 07

Capability ledger

40 Carrot does

✓Place terrain, zones, objectives, and real model bases on a true-scale table.
✓Run in the browser on desktop and mobile.
✓Keep the army, measurement tools, and position together for another capture.
✓Save game slices with the Full Access Snapshot timeline.

40 Carrot does not

✕Replace Canva's graphic-design controls, brand kits, or typography tools.
✕Create a 3D physics scene or cinematic camera angle.
✕Automate the final editorial crop, annotation, or thumbnail treatment.

Build the accurate source frame

The core Virtual Tabletop, terrain, objectives, and measurement tools are free.

Build a Virtual Tabletop →

Straight answers

What's the fastest way to make a 40K battle map?

If the map has to preserve a playable position, start from a tool built for that geometry. Canva can use rulers and guides, but it does not supply a 40K-native battlefield, objective, terrain, or model-base system. 40 Carrot starts those elements at true scale, and a top-down screenshot becomes the source map.

Is 40 Carrot free for making battle maps?

Yes. Building a Virtual Tabletop and screenshotting the table is free with a free account. Full Access ($4 a month or $33 lifetime) adds army-list text import, snapshots and replay, cloud saves, unlimited permanent share links, extra themes, data backup and restore, and General Mode with your army laid out for the table.

Are 40 Carrot maps to 11th edition scale?

Yes. Battlefields, mission layouts, deployment zones, and base sizes follow Warhammer 40K 11th Edition, so a 9-inch charge on the map is a 9-inch charge on the table.

Do I need to install anything?

No. 40 Carrot runs in the browser on desktop and mobile. Canva also runs in the browser; Tabletop Simulator is a Steam download.