The map editor is ready to roll! This page contains instructions on how to use the map editor, which you can access by going to www.thestiflingdark.com. The map editor has a tutorial built in, but feel free to continue reading for more detailed instructions on how to use the editor!
- Navigate to the map editor and create an account (or log in if you already have an account)
- Click on "Create Map" in the top menu
- Give your map a name and hit "Create"
- You should now have a blank slate with which to create your map! You can upload a background image by clicking “Map” in the Options window in the top right corner and hitting “Choose File” in the Background Image section. The image will load automatically once you select the file and hit “Open”, although it may take a minute or so for large files
- Note that the background image should have a square (1:1) aspect ratio, and the preferred resolution is 7,200x7,200 pixels. This is the same resolution that the map will be exported at, since the map will end up being 24x24 inches at 300 ppi. Background images will be scaled up to 7,200x7,200 pixels when exported, so low-resolution background images will look blurry and/or pixelated when exported from the map editor. A high-resolution image of the Sawmill can be downloaded below as a starting point:
Sawmill No UI.jpg |
- You will want to start by creating groups (zones) so you can assign them to spaces while you are modifying your map in the next step. To do so, click on the “Tools” tab in the Options window, type in a name for the group (such as “Lumber Shed”), the single-letter prefix for the group (such as “L”), and hit “Create”. Repeat this process for each zone you would like on your map (which should be 5 if you want your map to follow the standard rules)
- Note that you may need to refresh the page after creating your zones in order for them to show up in the next step (or if the editor starts flickering after changing a space's group)
- From there, you can modify the spaces as you see fit! To do so, click on the space in question, then make sure the “Space X” tab is selected in the Options window in the top right (where X is the number of the space you have selected, such as "Space 44")
- To delete the space, simply hit the Delete key on your keyboard. All subsequent space numbers will update automatically
- To add a deleted space back in, simply hover over the empty space where it used to be until you see an outline of the space appear. Click on the space, then add a movement line from it to any adjacent space by clicking and dragging from that space to the space in question and it will reappear!
- To change the type of space (Door, Point of Interest, Medical Item, etc.), select whatever space type you would like from the “Space Type” drop-down in the Options window
- To align with a standard map (like the Sawmill in the base game), there should be 5 Zones (each with 1 Computer and at least 1 Light Switch), 5 Points of Interest, 2 Medical Items, and 4 Start spaces
- To change the brightness of the space (Dim vs. Dark), select the brightness you would like from the “Brightness” drop-down in the Options window
- To count the distance between the space and all other spaces, hit the “Generate Distances” button in the Options window. To turn the distance pop-ups off, simply hit “Disable Distances”
- To add the space to a group (zone), select the desired group from the “Group” dropdown in the the Options window
- To remove a movement line (connection to another space), choose the connection in question and hit “Delete” in the Options window. To add a movement line back once it has been deleted, simply click and drag from one space to the other
- To delete the space, simply hit the Delete key on your keyboard. All subsequent space numbers will update automatically
- Once you are satisfied with your masterpiece, all you have to do is go to the “Map” tab in the Options window and hit Download at the bottom!
- Keep in mind the map will be upscaled to 7,200x7,200 pixels when exporting to ensure it is high enough quality to be printed at the proper size. If your background image appears blurry or pixelated, you will need to upload a higher-resolution background image
- To get your map printed, we suggest printing as a 24x36 poster at a local print shop (such as FedEx Office). Here are the settings we used when we were printing out our prototype maps at FedEx:
- Note that lamination is not needed, but we did it since we were using our boards at conventions and they would get spilled on from time to time
Our local FedEx was nice enough to cut the board out to ensure a nice straight cut (vs. us trying to cut it with a scissors), so we suggest asking your shop to cut it for you.
That's all there is to it! You're ready to head on over to the map editor and start creating. Please feel free to join the Map Editor channel in our Discord to ask questions or provide feedback (or email us at support@sophisticatedcerberus.com if you don't use Discord). Happy map-making!
That's all there is to it! You're ready to head on over to the map editor and start creating. Please feel free to join the Map Editor channel in our Discord to ask questions or provide feedback (or email us at support@sophisticatedcerberus.com if you don't use Discord). Happy map-making!