NEW MAP: FIRST STEPS

Before anything, make sure your backups are enabled in the General tab in Preferences. Backups can be found via the Open User Folder button.

If the UI is too tiny, you can use the Enlarge UI option in the Interface tab in Preferences.

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To start working in Dungeondraft and create a new map, click on New.

You'll then see several settings you can configure:

• You can choose a predefined size template from the dropdown list.

• You can also create your own template for future use.

• To define a custom size, simply enter the desired width and height (up to 200 x 200). The units used in sizing a map are the number of grid squares vertically and horizontally across the map. Dungeondraft and many assets default to 1 grid square = 5 feet (1,5m) = 256 pixels.

Below the size fields, you'll see four checkboxes.

• These settings will be saved for the next time you create a map.

• Don’t worry too much about the three “Disable X Feature” options — they are only visual settings and can also be changed later once you're editing your map.

• The "Map Wizard" option, however, is important. This is the only place where you can enable it. The Map Wizard lets you generate random dungeons or caves. If you want to start with a pre-generated map, make sure to check this box.

You can click on Edit Asset Pack Selection to open the Custom Assets window and choose which assets you wish for the new map to load.

When your settings are correct, click on OK to create the map.

Pro Tip: If you're new to Dungeondraft, it's better start with a small map to get practice with the program and the tools. A common mistake is to make a big map and fail to fill it. A good start is a 15x15 or 20x20 map.

CRITICAL INFORMATION - Making multiple maps in a row with custom asset packs

When you make two maps in a row without closing Dungeondraft, the packs you used on the first map will be cached in the second map, but the packs might not be actually loaded unless you make sure to include them in the new map. That means the next time you open that map, Dungeondraft won’t load the packs and won’t display the assets. This can be fixed by selecting the packs you need in the Assets window on the map with the missing assets, saving the file and restarting Dungeondraft. Don’t save it before selecting the missing packs or you won’t be able to fix your map!