# Feature suggestion for a custom Map Editor

**URL:** <https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/feature-suggestion-for-a-custom-map-editor/29600>\
**Category:** The Lab\
**Created:** [January 31, 2025, 8:20am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/feature-suggestion-for-a-custom-map-editor/29600 "2025-01-31T08:20:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 3

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**Author:** ![LilShiningMan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/lilshiningman/32/8261_2.png) [@LilShiningMan](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/LilShiningMan)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2025, 7:39am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/feature-suggestion-for-a-custom-map-editor/29600/3 "2025-02-03T07:39:40Z")

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While I think a graphical map editor is a fantastic idea (which I’ve thought of creating myself at certain points), the potential for feature creep is huge. Were you thinking of keeping this as a smaller program for people that can navigate the JSON files or something full featured for complete beginners?

Off the top of my head, for something I’d want in a program like this:

MINIMUM (Basic Functionality)

- import/export maps
- choosing map size (24x24, 48x24, 48x48, etc.)
- import palette file settings automatically from the map file or manually select palette when creating new map
- work with and switch between multiple z levels
- easy copy and paste of chunks of the map’s tiles
- a way to view details or write notes about a specific tile in the palette as you likely have multiple versions of the same tile that spawn different items (ex - in the house palette there’s a dining room table and a hallway table)
- item/vehicle/trap/etc. generation at specific map coordinates
- displaying the x and y coordinates on the grid layout for easy reference, and also maybe with mouse hover?
- ability to add additional furniture/terrain (including item spawns) to a specific map in addition to palette entries

NICE TO HAVE

- create palette files, including browsing/assigning item groups to furniture/tiles
- create nested chunks
- browse and add nested chunks to maps, either by assigned symbol or coordinates

PROBABLY JUST ME

- being able to switch between orientations (ie - north to south and south to north)
- separate terrain from furniture tiles. more for organization and workflow
- Being able to “paint” with the symbols but “preview” the graphic version. I’m likely in the minority, but I personally have no interest in painting with the tiles. However, it’s tedious reloading the game to view what I’m creating.

I’m sure you’ve already found this but I raised a few points in this thread for Hostile Architect as well: [Hostile Architect - Location Builder Tool & EXTRA Locations Mod](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/hostile-architect-location-builder-tool-extra-locations-mod/26351)

Out of curiosity have you created many maps yourself?

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