Exploration and maps in remote-play games

I DM'd a group over Skype for a bit. There are also some really cool things that you can do with Photoshop and screen sharing if you want an immersive map experience.

Start off with the map that you're going to use: http://i.imgur.com/qcqm3rw.png

Open the image in Photoshop, then put an image of parchment over it: http://i.imgur.com/6QXqtvn.png

With the parchment layer selected, click the vector mask button toward the bottom of the layer tray: http://i.imgur.com/rR3hUDT.png

Select the brush tool and make sure that you're using a brush that's circular with a feathering around the edge: http://i.imgur.com/T8A3yLl.png

Ensuring that you still have the mask over the layer selected (The white box to the right of the layer) begin painting to reveal "vision". You can make this line of site or whatever you feel is good. http://i.imgur.com/RMp4EXe.png

A vector mask is like punching holes in a layer, revealing what is beneath it. When you paint with black (or a share thereof) on the mask, it starts to reveal what is beneath. If you paint with white (or a shade thereof) it repairs the mask, hiding what is beneath.

Now, share your screen with your group and, using the brush tool on the mask layer, reveal their environment as they explore it! http://i.imgur.com/Nc1uq6C.png

You can even do cool things for if players hear a sound from another room or use spells to "look ahead". Use brush opacity (in the bar at the top) to choke back how much black you're applying to the layer. This gives it a ghosty look. http://i.imgur.com/hrIhT6q.png

My group really enjoyed this and it's one of the few advantages of having each player be remote. Thought I would share.