Introduction

The supreme commander map editor - in it's current pre-alpha development status - is a bit complicated to use. The tools you need for map editing are found in a dialog window called "Layers", and each of these tools have one or more different property windows, and sometimes even show/hide different toolbar buttons. Don't be afraid though, with some patience and this guide you'll learn your way around quickly.

Let's start with a description of the default menu and it's submenus, followed by an in-depth look at the various tools you'll find in the "Layers" dialog window.

The default menu

File

• New...: Creates a new map
• Open...: Opens an already existing map
• Open Recent: Shows a list of last edited maps

• Save: Save the current map
• Save As...: Save the map under a new name

• Export: Used to export various map properties and contents
• Import: Used to import them back into your map

• Exit: Closes the editor

Edit

• Undo: Undo your last operation
• Redo: Redo your last operation

• Copy: Copy to clipboard
• Paste: Paste from clipboard

• Select All: Self-explanatory
• Deselect All: Self explanatory

• Scenario...: Opens a dialog window to edit scenario options

View

• Layers: Shows the dialog window that contains all editing tools
• Tool: Opens the tool properties window, specific for ech tool in the layers window
• Resources: Opens the resource browser
• Console: Shows the console window
• Log: Shows the log window

• Water: Enables/Disables the display of water
• Force Decals: ?
• Gizmo: ?
• Strategic: ?
• Units: ?

• Debug:
  • Wireframe: Enables/disables wireframe rendering
  • Skirts: ?
  • Intel Ranges: ?
  • Weapon Ranges: ?
  • Grid: Shows/hides the grid
  • Areas: Shows/hides area rectangles
  • Slope: Shows/hides color coding for slopes
  • Preview: Displays a preview rendering of the map (?)

• Statistics: Shows a stats menu

• Reset: ?

Options

• AutoSnap to o-grid: snaps props and markers to the grid when moved around
• AutoSnap to land layer: ?
• Hotkeys: Shows the hotkey menu
• Run in game: quickly test your map in supcom. doesn't work in the pre-alpha :(

The layers menu

The layers menu is a collection of all the tools you need to edit your maps. Please see the specific subsections for a detailed explanation of each:

• Games
• Armies
• Platoons
• Orders
• Areas
• Markers
• Props
• Terrain Type
• Water
• Decals
• Strata 1-8, lower and upper stratum
• Lighting
• Elevation

The resouce browser

This window contains a collection of resources (Textures, props, decals,...) which can be used in the various tools.