How to create maps?

[Ephemeral]

I've never created maps for any hex games and so I am quite confused how to adapt real maps to hex grid. I tried to go the simplest way, so I downloaded needed map and simply put hex grid at top of it. Of course I got horizontal distortion as a result. What makes it worse is in my scenario all fighting happens in horizontal plane, so it actually affects realism of a scenario. So the question is it acceptable to have horizontal distances in game 15% bigger than in reality? Will it make my scenario bad or no one really cares about these distortions as long as map looks good?
Maybe I don't need to complicate things and just go and make the map my way. I think hex map won't fit if I will try to picture real map with precision and I rather focus on how to make hex map look good by simplifying unnecessary details.

[Curtis Lemay]

Have you seen my article on map making?:

tm.asp?m=2231136

[Ephemeral]

Yes, but it is little help because I use paper map. Also I remember I couldn't launch your program, but whatever. I guess I stick to my method because others are too much work.

[Lobster]

You might try this also: http://yves.lr.pagesperso-orange.fr/ODD/ODD.htm