Getting Started
Create your first tile map in under 5 minutes.
Step 1: Create a New Map
When you first open TileForge Studio, a Welcome Screen appears with quick-start options. You can:
- New Blank Map — opens the New Map dialog where you choose map dimensions and tile size.
- Open File — load an existing TMJ file from your computer.
- Generate Map — use a procedural generator to create a map instantly.
You can also use Ctrl+N at any time or go to File > New Map.
The New Map dialog lets you pick a size preset (Tiny through Huge) or enter custom dimensions. If you are targeting a specific game engine, select it from the Engine Preset dropdown to auto-fill the correct tile size.
Step 2: Load a Tileset
A tileset is a single image containing all your tile graphics arranged in a grid. To add one:
- Go to File > Add Tileset.
- Select a tileset PNG or JPG from your computer.
- TileForge auto-detects the tile size, columns, and tile count.
The tileset appears in the Palette panel on the left side of the editor. Click any tile in the palette to select it for painting.
Step 3: Paint Tiles
With a tile selected in the palette and the Pencil tool active (press B), click or drag on the map canvas to paint tiles.
The editor starts with the Pencil tool selected by default. You can switch tools using the toolbar buttons or keyboard shortcuts.
Step 4: Save Your Map
Press Ctrl+S to save your map as a TMJ file (Tiled Map JSON). This format is compatible with Tiled and supported by most game engines.
You can also:
- Export as TMX (XML format) via File > Export as TMX
- Export as PNG via File > Export as PNG
- Push to GitHub via File > Save to GitHub (see GitHub Integration)
Next Steps
- Learn all 8 editing tools
- Understand the layer system
- Try the procedural generators to auto-create maps
- Set up collision data for your game engine
- Get engine-specific export code for Godot, Phaser, or Unity
Navigating the Editor
Panning
Hold middle mouse button and drag to pan around the map.
Zooming
Use the scroll wheel to zoom toward the cursor. You can also press +/- or use View > Zoom In/Out. Press Ctrl+0 to reset to 100%.
Grid
Toggle the grid overlay with the # key or View > Toggle Grid. The grid shows stronger lines every 10 tiles for easier navigation on large maps.