🗺️ Getting Started: The Basics

At its core, the map generator uses procedural noise to create unique landmasses. Here are the first steps:

• Generate: The Generate button in the Map Settings panel is your primary tool. Clicking it creates a new, random map from scratch.

• Back: Made a change you don't like? The Back button returns you to the previous map generation.

• Preview Zoom: Use the vertical stepper + and - buttons in the top-left corner to zoom the entire preview in or out, making it easier to see details or the overall layout.

• Panning: Right-click and drag anywhere on the map to pan your view without moving any map elements.

🧭 Navigating the Control Panels

On the left side of the screen is a navigation bar with icons. Each icon opens a different control panel, allowing you to customize every aspect of your map.

Panel Reference Guide

Here's a breakdown of what each panel does, from top to bottom.

Map Settings

This is where you control the fundamental properties of your map's generation.

• Width/Height: Sets the dimensions of your map in pixels.

• Zoom, Roughness, Sea Level: These sliders adjust the noise algorithm. Experiment with them to create different continent styles, from large, smooth landmasses to scattered, rough archipelagos.

• Mask, Warp, R.M.: These checkboxes toggle different generation algorithms.

  • Mask: Creates a circular gradient, making your map look more like a single island or continent.

  • Warp: Distorts the noise for a more chaotic, natural look.

  • R.M. (Ridged Multifractal): Creates more distinct mountain ranges and ridges.

Labels & Text

This tool offers three ways to add text to your map. For all text, the font can be changed in the Fonts panel, and the color is set by the Universal Ink Color in the Colors panel.

1. Labels Panel: For simple place names.

   • Add Label: Click this, then click anywhere on the map to place a label. You will be prompted to enter the text.

   • Label Type: Choose between "City / Town" (a dot followed by text) or "State / Region" (larger, uppercase text that can be curved).

   • Manipulation:

     • Drag to move.

     • Shift+Click to delete.

     • For State/Region labels, use the mouse wheel to rotate them.

2. Text Boxes Panel: For blocks of text, like descriptions or legends.

   • Add New Text Box: Write your content in the text area, then click this button. Finally, click on the map to place the box.

   • Editing: Click on a placed text box to select it. You can then edit its content and settings (font size, box width, padding, alignment, and border) in the panel.

   • Manipulation: Drag to move; Shift+Click to delete.

3. Free Text Panel: For artistic, single lines of text that can be curved.

   • Add Free Text: Enter your content, click the button, and then click on the map to place it.

   • Editing: Click placed text to select it. You can then adjust its scale, letter spacing, and apply a vertical "wave" effect.

   • Manipulation: Drag to move; Shift+Click to delete.

Fonts, Colors, & Textures

These panels control the map's overall aesthetic.

• Fonts: Select a Universal Font that will apply to all labels, text boxes, the title, and the scale bar.

• Colors:

  • Universal Ink Color: Sets the color for all text, borders, stamps, and drawn elements.

  • Map Colors: Toggle Use Color to switch between a full-color map and a monochrome one. Use the color pickers to change the land and sea colors.

• Textures & Border:

  • Texture: Check Show to apply a paper texture overlay. Click Next to cycle through different paper styles. Use the sliders to adjust the texture's opacity and color tint (hue, saturation, brightness).

  • Map Border: Toggle a decorative double-line border around the edge of your map. Use the Border Inset slider to control its distance from the edge.

Stamps (Icons & Images)

Add illustrative elements like compass roses, sea monsters, or city icons to your map.

• Placing Stamps: Click an image in the grid to select it, then click on the map to place it.

• Stamp Controls:

  • Opacity, Size, Cleanup: Adjust these settings before placing a stamp. Size can be changed later. Cleanup helps remove the white background from simple black-and-white PNGs.

  • Upload Stamps: Upload your own PNG images to use as stamps.

• Manipulating Placed Stamps:

  • Drag to move.

  • Mouse Wheel to resize.

  • Shift + Mouse Wheel to rotate.

  • Ctrl + Click to flip horizontally.

  • Shift + Click to delete.

Drawing Tools

Draw custom lines directly on the map.

• Custom Borders:

  1. Select a style (dashes or dots) and adjust the size/spacing sliders.

  2. Click Draw Border.

  3. Click and drag on the map to draw your path. Release the mouse to finish the line.

  4. Click Stop or press Esc to exit drawing mode.

  • To delete a border, Shift+Click it.

• River Drawing:

  1. Adjust the start and end width sliders to create a tapered river.

  2. Click Draw River.

  3. Click and drag on the map to draw the river.

  • To delete a river, Shift+Click it.

Title, Scale, & Grid

• Title Block: Customize the text, font style, and size of a formal title block. Drag it to position it on the map.

• Scale Bar:

  • Settings: Define the scale's unit of measurement (e.g., Miles, Kilometers), its total length, and the number of subdivisions.

  • Measurement Tool: Click Measure Distance, then click two points on the map. The tool will draw a line and display the distance based on your scale bar's settings. Click Cancel or Esc to exit.

• Grid Panel: Overlay a square or hexagonal grid on your map. Control the grid's size, line thickness, color, and opacity.

💾 Save, Load, & Export

• Save: Click the Save button to download a .json file containing all your map data, including settings, placed labels, stamps, and drawings.

• Load: Click the Load button and select a previously saved .json file to restore your map to that state.

• Export (Broken): The Download PNG button is currently non-functional. To save an image of your map, it's recommended to use your computer's built-in screenshot tools.