Since there is not yet a User Manual for MapForge, I’m providing this

rudimentary documentation to help users get started. It is primarily a

guide to all the Hotkeys used in the software.

Should you have any trouble running the software, please refer to the
"Technical Tips" section of the MapForge Downloads page, which
should help resolve most common issues.

A Quick Tour of MapForge

The Basics

MapForge currently supports four different types of assets.

1. Tiles - these are placed on the lowest level, below all other asset
types. Tiles cannot be resized or otherwise edited, but they can be
rotated in 90-degree increments. Tiles are geomorphic bitmap graphics
used to assemble map layouts. Tiles typically cover anywhere between
a 3x3 to a 6x6 grid square area, but can also cover a much greater
area, or even cover only a single grid square. A tile is not simply a large
map cut apart into smaller sections. By design, geomorphic tiles can be
configured in different ways to assemble a nearly infinite variety of
layouts, usually by depicting identical terrain features along the edges
of the tile. Not all tiles are intended to be placed alongside any other
tile; they generally need to share a terrain type. Tiles don't typically
have transparency, but they can.

2. Tile Overlays - these are placed right above the Tile layer. Tile
Overlays are used to modify or customize Tiles. An example of a Tile
Overlay would be a pit trap, meant to be placed over a hall or room Tile.
Tile Overlays cannot be resized or otherwise edited, but they can be
rotated in 90-degree increments. Tile Overlays don't typically have
transparency, but they can.

3. Items - these are placed on a layer above Tiles and Tile Overlays, and
even above the grid overlay. Items can be edited by double-clicking
them (or pressing the ENTER/RETURN hotkey) after they are placed on
the map. Doing so will provide on-screen controls for resizing, rotating,
flipping, and other important functions. Items almost always have
transparency.

The following asset types are planned but not yet implemented.

4. Drawn Shapes & Textures - these are vector-based shapes that are
created by the user utilizing any of a variety of drawing tools that are
built into the software. Optionally, Textures may be applied to these
drawn shapes. These depict different material/surface textures (grass,
wood planking, marble flooring tiles, cobblestones, etc.) and are
designed to be seamlessly tiled into a larger pattern. A Texture may
consist of a single bitmap, or it can be a collection of any number of
similar textures which are randomized to avoid recurring patterns.
Drawn shapes can either have textures applied to them, or they can
simply be filled with flat color. NOTE THAT THE DRAW TOOLS ARE
DISABLED IN THE CURRENT RELEASE, as they are not yet finished. The
Draw Tools will be added in a post-v1.0 update (probably in v1.1).

5. Masks - These are used to modify textures, to give them specific

shapes, like pre-defined wall layouts. Masks will not be added until
approximately v1.2 of MapForge.

To make a map in MapForge, simply stamp down assets (from the free
Add-Ons, from paid Add-Ons, or your own artwork) to make a nice
layout, using the resizing, rotation, flipping, and other functions
provided by the software. When you are happy with your layout and
consider it to be complete, export the map to an image file, in
whichever of the 4 supported bitmap formats you prefer. Then print it
out, or use it in the virtual tabletop software of your choice.
One or more video tutorials will soon be created to help new users get
up to speed with the software quickly.

Drag-and-Drop

There are currently three methods of using your own art assets in
MapForge. You can either use the "Import Art" function, or simply drag-
and-drop an art asset onto the MapForge main window. The file
types/formats currently supported by drag-and-drop are PNG, JPG, and
BMP.

Dragging an asset onto the map window

On Windows

All art dropped into the MapForge window will be used as an Item. In
future releases, the asset dropped will be used as a Tile if you are in
Tile Mode, as an Item if you are in Item Mode, etc.

On Mac OS X

A menu of hotspots will appear in the main window, each for a different
asset type. Position the drag-and-drop cursor over the hotspot of your
choice and release the mouse button.

The third method of importing your own artwork into MapForge is to use
a file chooser, which can be accessed either by holding down the Shift
key when you click on the Import Art button, or by pressing the “Shift-
Control-I” hotkey combination (“Shift-Command-I” on Mac OS X).

Layer Ordering & Management

When the Select Tool is selected and you select a single asset on the
map, a number of buttons will appear on the right-hand side of the
screen. These buttons (Move Up, Move Down, Move to Top, Move to
Bottom) serve to control the stacking order of placed assets.
Managing content Add-Ons to optimize performance

Asset browsing has been greatly sped up by dynamically generating

Item thumbnails when MapForge is first launched. This happens
fairly fast for any particular Add-On, but can take a good while if
there are dozens of Add-Ons loaded. To speed up MapForge's launch
time and reduce RAM usage, you should disable any Add-Ons you
won't be using in that session. Before you launch MapForge, ensure
that only Add-Ons that you plan to use in the current mapping
session are in the "Add-Ons" folder. Move/drag all other Add-Ons to
the "Disabled Add-Ons" folder.

Support for changing map resolution

You can create a map in low-resolution (e.g. 50 dpi) for fast

performance, and export it at high resolution (e.g. 200 or 300 dpi),
for optimum print quality. Export resolution can be set from the
Export Map panel. Click on the resolution field and enter your
desired value. This can be lower than the map's native resolution (if
you just want a quick comp) or higher than the map's native
resolution.

Changing the resolution in the Map Settings screen allows a more

permanent change. Doing so will automatically resize and reposition
all your placed assets. If pixel-perfect precision is your goal, it is
best to work in high-resolution. This is because something that is off
by 1 pixel on a 50 dpi map will be off by 4 pixels on a 200 dpi map,
and by 6 pixels on a 300 dpi map.

The Hidden Button

There may be times when the map fails to refresh properly in order
to account for a recent change or edit you made. To safeguard
against this, clicking on the Minimap’s text label will cause a full
refresh, which should restore any missing or misdrawn assets.
The (not-quite-finished) Draw/Paint Tools

This feature is only partially implemented, and has therefore been

blocked off in the current release. Starting around v1.1, you will be
able to draw shapes and later manipulate and edit them much as you
can already do with Items, and the textures (if any) that you selected
for the Fill and Stroke will be used. A Text Label tool will be
implemented shortly thereafter.

Filters/Effects

If you wish to apply a filter to an already-placed asset/s on the map,

first use the Select Tool to select one or more assets, then switch to
the Effects Tool, choose "Selected Asset/s" from the "Target/Source"
popup menu, then click the "Add" button for the effect you wish to
attach.

When you select the Stamp Tool as the target of filters, any effect/s
you apply to the Stamp Tool will be automatically applied to every
asset you stamp onto the map, until such a time as you decide to
clear the filters on the Stamp Tool). Because you can’t easily tweak
the settings on the Stamp cursor, it’s best to first define your filter/s
on an on-map asset, and then Copy the filter’s to the Stamp Tool.

An eye icon beside each applied filter lets you activate or deactivate
that particular filter. Filter effects applied to the entire canvas can
be resource-intensive, so it may be best to disable them while you
are working on editing your map, and enable them again just prior to
exporting your finished map.
PosteRazor

I have bundled this software for users who want to print their
exported MapForge maps on their home inkjet printers. PosteRazor
takes a large image, such as a map produced by MapForge, and
segments it into smaller sections that fit on a printer page. The end
result is a multi-page PDF that you can easily print on a home printer,
with the paper size of your choice. When game day comes, you just
tape together the various printed pages to assemble the game map
for play (presumably with miniatures).

Note that printing large, dark maps on your home inkjet printer will
consume ink cartridges rather quickly, especially if you are opting
for photo quality prints. The cost of ink cartridges and photo paper
could add up to a significant enough sum that it may be more
economical and less labor-intensive to have your maps printed
elsewhere . However, home printing can be useful if quick turnaround
is a must.

For more information on how the PosteRazor software works, visit

the PosteRazor website . They even provide links to similar software
should you want to explore other software options. Click here if you
would like to know more about PosteRazor's GNU General Public
License.
Hotkeys

Tool Selection

Control + 1

Switch to the Select Tool.

Control + 2

Switch to the Stamp Tool.

Control + 3

Switch to the Paint Brush Tool. Note that this tool has been temporarily
disabled until after v1.0.

Control + 4

Switch to the Bucket Fill Tool.

Control + 5

Switch to the Marquee Tool.

Control + 6

Switch to Pan/Scroll mode.

Control + 7
Configure the Map & Grid Overlay settings.

Control + 8

Switch to the Layers Tool.

Control + 9

Switch to the Effects Tool.

Control + I (as in Import)

Switch to the Import Art Tool. Hold down the Shift key as well if you
would like to import art using a file chooser, instead.

Control + E (as in Export)

Switch to the Export Map Tool.

General Use

Control + Z

Undo the last action you took. MapForge has 10 levels of Undo.

Control + Y

Redo the last Undo you performed. MapForge has 10 levels of Redo.

Control + X

Cut the selected asset/s. They will be stored in a buffer until such a
time as you paste them elsewhere on your map (or on a different map).
The buffer only persists in the current MapForge session, and will be
overwritten by another Cut or Copy command.

Control + C

Copy the selected asset/s. They will be stored in a buffer until such a
time as you paste them elsewhere on your map (or on a different map).
The buffer only persists in the current MapForge session, and will be
overwritten by another Cut or Copy command.

Control + V

Paste the selected asset/s that are in your buffer. This does not clear
the buffer, so you can paste the same assets repeatedly, if desired.

Control + A (Select All)

Selects all tiles, all tile overlays, all items, or all drawn shapes,
depending on which asset type you are currently working with.

Control + B (Deselect All)

Deselects all tiles, all tile overlays, all items, or all drawn shapes,
depending on which asset type you are currently working with.

Control key

Hold down the Control key to temporarily switch to the Pan/Scroll Tool,
in order to make quick adjustments to your view of the map canvas.
The cursor must be within the canvas area, and there is no need to
click the mouse to drag the map. Once the Control key is released, the
program will revert back to the Tool previously in use. Be aware that
thumbnail asset previews will be hidden while the Control key is
pressed.

Backspace

Deletes the currently-selected asset/s (tile/s, tile overlay/s, or item/s,

depending on which asset type you are working with). You can also use
the Delete key.

? (question mark)

Toggles the Help screen on or off. This screen shows basic usage
instructions and shows a list of most of the program's Hotkeys,
providing a quick and helpful reference. There is no need to press the
Shift key to activate this Hotkey. Other ways to dismiss the Help screen
are clicking on it, or pressing the Escape key.
 ESC key

Clears the selection marquee. Can also be used to exit Import Art
mode, and close secondary windows, or to dismiss the Help screen.

Tilde key

Toggles the graphical user interface on or off. When it is off, you can
enjoy a full-screen mapping experience, and snappier performance
when speed-browsing assets.

Toggles the Snap-to-Grid feature on or off when working with Tiles, Tile
Overlays, Items, or Drawn Shapes.

G (as in Grid Overlay)

Toggles the grid overlay on or off.

H (as in Horizontal)

Toggles the Flip Horizontal feature on or off. This feature can be used
with any asset type (tiles, tile overlays, or items).

If one or more assets are currently selected, this command will instead
toggle the Flip Horizontal state of the selected asset/s.

V (as in Vertical)

Toggles the Flip Vertical feature on or off. This feature can be used with
any asset type (tiles, tile overlays, or items).

If one or more assets are currently selected, this command will instead
toggle the Flip Vertical state of the selected asset/s.

Control + R (as in Randomize)

Randomizes all tiles (randomly picks a tile variant for each tile), if no
tiles, tile overlays, or items are selected.

If working with Tiles and one or more tiles are selected, then only the
selected tiles will be randomized.

If working with Tile Overlays and one or more tile overlays are selected,
then only the selected tile overlays will be randomized.

If working with Items and one or more items are selected, then only the
selected items will be randomized.

TAB

Switch to the next content Add-On. You can also press TAB when you
are finished using the Stamp Tool to place your own (drag-and-dropped)
artwork, and want to resume using artwork from an Add-On.

Shift + TAB

Switch to the previous content Add-On.

- (minus key)

Zoom out. You can use the minus key on a number pad, too.

+ (plus key)

Zoom in. For simplicity and speed, the Shift key does not need to be
pressed to invoke this Hotkey. You can use the plus key on a number
pad, too.

Down Arrow

Switch to the next set (of tiles, of tile overlays, or of items, depending
on what type of assets you are currently working with), if the Stamp
Tool or the Bucket Fill Tool are currently selected.

If the Select Tool is active and no assets are selected, the arrow key
will instead scroll the map in the corresponding direction.

Up Arrow

Switch to the previous set (of tiles, of tile overlays, or of items,

depending on what type of assets you are currently working with), if
the Stamp Tool or the Bucket Fill Tool are currently selected.

If the Select Tool is active and no assets are selected, the arrow key
will instead scroll the map in the corresponding direction.

Right Arrow

When using the Stamp Tool or the Bucket Fill Tool, if using content from
an Add-On, this key will advance to the next asset (Tile, Tile Overlay, or
Item) in the collection.

If one or more assets are selected, pressing this key will display the
next token in their collection.

If the Select Tool is active and no assets are selected, the arrow key
will instead scroll the map in the corresponding direction.

Left Arrow

When using the Stamp Tool or the Bucket Fill Tool, if using content from
an Add-On, this key will return to the previous asset (Tile, Tile Overlay,
or Item) in the collection.

If one or more assets are selected, pressing this key will display the
previous token in their collection.

If the Select Tool is active and no assets are selected, the arrow key
will instead scroll the map in the corresponding direction.

Home key

Select the first set in the currently-displaying asset collection (i.e., the
vertical thumbnails). This command only works when the Stamp Tool or
the Bucket Tool is selected, and only when the Type menu is set to Tile,
Tile Overlay, or Item.
 End key

Select the last set in the currently-displaying asset collection (i.e., the
vertical thumbnails). This command only works when the Stamp Tool or
the Bucket Tool is selected, and only when the Type menu is set to Tile,
Tile Overlay, or Item.

>

Rotate Clockwise. This works with tiles, tile overlays, or items. Rotation
is in 90-degree increments. For simplicity and speed, the Shift key does
not need to be pressed to invoke this Hotkey.

<

Rotate Counter-Clockwise. This works with tiles, tile overlays, or items.

Rotation is in 90-degree increments. For simplicity and speed, the Shift
key does not need to be pressed to invoke this Hotkey.

W + Caps Lock

Decrease the vertical offset for the snap-to-grid function.

S + Caps Lock

Increase the vertical offset for the snap-to-grid function.

A + Caps Lock

Decrease the horizontal offset for the snap-to-grid function.

D + Caps Lock
Increase the horizontal offset for the snap-to-grid function.
With no asset selected:

R (as in Rotate) + Right Arrow [with nothing selected]

Rotate Item cursor clockwise 5 degrees. The chosen rotation angle will
be used for Items you place using the Stamp Tool.

R (as in Rotate) + Left Arrow [with nothing selected]

Rotate Item cursor counter-clockwise 5 degrees. The chosen rotation

angle will be used for Items you place using the Stamp Tool.

S (as in Scale) + Right Arrow [with nothing selected]

Increase the size/scale of the Item cursor by 1%. The chosen scale
setting will be used for Items you place using the Stamp Tool.

S (as in Scale) + Left Arrow [with nothing selected]

Decrease the size/scale of the Item cursor by 1%. The chosen scale
setting will be used for Items you place using the Stamp Tool.
With an Item selected:

ENTER key

Enter “Edit Mode” for the selected Item. This is equivalent to double-
clicking an Item on the map.

R (as in Rotate) + Right Arrow

Rotate the selected Item/s clockwise by 5 degrees.

R (as in Rotate) + Left Arrow

Rotate the selected Item/s counter-clockwise by 5 degrees.

O (as in Opacity) + Right Arrow

Increase the opacity of the selected Item/s by 5%.

O (as in Opacity) + Left Arrow

Decrease the opacity of the selected Item/s by 5%.

[ (left bracket)

Lower the selected asset one level in the stacking order.

] (right bracket)

Raise the selected asset one level in the stacking order.

Shift + [ (left bracket)

Lower the selected asset to the bottom of the stacking order.

Shift + ] (right bracket)

Raise the selected asset to the top of the stacking order.

WITH AN ON-MAP ASSET/S SELECTED:

Move the selected asset/s up one pixel.

Move the selected asset/s down one pixel.

Move the selected asset/s one pixel to the left.

Move the selected asset/s one pixel to the right.

Shift + W

Move the selected asset/s up one-quarter of a grid square.

Shift + S

Move the selected asset/s down one-quarter of a grid square.

Shift + A

Move the selected asset/s one-quarter of a grid square to the left.

Shift + D
Move the selected asset/s one-quarter of a grid square to the right.
File & App Management

Control + . (period key) or Control + Q (as in Quit)

Quits MapForge (confirmation required).

Shift + \ (backslash)

Make the MapForge main window completely fill your display. If you
have more than one display, pressing this Hotkey combination again
will move MapForge to the next display and make it fill that display.

Control + M (as in Minimize)

Minimizes or hides the MapForge application.

Control + N (as in New)

Clears all placed assets in order to begin creating a new map (with the
existing grid and grid overlay settings). This is the Hotkey equivalent of
going to the "File" menu and selecting "New Map".

Control + S (as in Save)

Opens a file dialog to allow you to name the map file you wish to save.
This is the Hotkey equivalent to going to the "File" menu and selecting
"Save Map".

Control + O (as in Open)

Opens a file dialog to allow you to select the map file you wish to load.
This is the Hotkey equivalent to going to the "File" menu and selecting
"Load Map".
Hotkeys to use in conjunction with the mouse's scroll wheel

S (as in Scale)

Adjust the scale of the Stamp Tool, or of the currently selected asset/s.

R (as in Rotation)

Adjust the rotation (clockwise or counter-clockwise) of the Stamp Tool,

or of the currently selected asset/s.

O (as in Opacity)

Raise or lower the opacity of the Stamp Tool, or of the currently

selected asset/s.