Tools:Mapedit:Editing
This section contains the basic reference for mapedit.
Command line switches
Although <tt>mapedit</tt> is a graphical editor, there are a few command-line options you may find useful at times.
-d print project directory and exit
A dialogue is usually assigned to a certain project, i.e a game. The project directory tells <tt>mapedit</tt> where to search for things like models and other data it requires.
-g path specify a custom game data directory
If your project/game does not reside in the default project directory (which can be queried with the <tt>-d</tt> option), you can specify an alternative path with this option.
-p project specify a project name
The name of the game for which the map is to be created. This usually specifies a subdirectory of the default game data directory or the custom directory specified with the <tt>-g</tt> option.
-v print version number and exit
The Main window
1. The Object Browser
- This shows all models and zones already placed on the map, as well as models available in the model/ directory of the current game. Expand this ...
2. The Map View
- This is where you edit the map by placing or moving models and zones. Most of the work is done with the mouse, but there are also a few shortcuts on the keyboard and some functionality is available through the keyboard only. The actions taken when a mouse- or key-press occurs depend on the current state (model highlighted or selected) and the position of the cursor. The table below shows the possible constellations:
| Left-click | Model highlighted | Model selected |
| on empty space | - | Place model on map. |
| on model | Select model | Place model on map. |
| Right-click | Model highlighted | Model selected |
| on empty space | - | Deselect model. |
| on model | Move model. | Deselect model. |
| Enter | Model highlighted | Model selected |
| wherever | Edit model properties. | - |
| Del | Model highlighted | Model selected |
| wherever | - | Delete model from map. |
| Esc | Model highlighted | Model selected |
| wherever | - | Deselect model. |
- Further key-commands are <tt>+</tt> and <tt>-</tt> to change the z position (hold down <tt>CTRL</tt> for larger increments), and the <tt>Cursor Keys</tt> to change x and y positions respectively. Moving the mouse close to the map views border will also scroll the view.
3. The Render Height
This slider controls up to which z level models on the map will be rendered. By default, it is set to the maps maximum height and in that position it will automatically adjust as models are placed on the maps, increasing its height. If set to a lower height level, objects above that level will not be rendered and can not be selected. This is useful to build maps with multiple layers, as it allows to (temporarily) hide layers that would otherwise obscure lower parts of the map.