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Overview

This chapter and its sub-sections describe the tools available in Eldiron Creator.

Map Tools Specifics​

Some tools are specifically designed for map editing and display a common HUD. These include:

  • Vertex Tool
  • Linedef Tool
  • Sector Tool
  • Rect Tool
  • Builder Tool
  • Dungeon Tool

The tool strip also contains mode toggles below the main map tools:

  • Authoring
  • Text Play
  • Palette Tool

Terminology​

  • Vertices: Points that define the corners of geometry (edited via the Vertex Tool).
  • Linedefs: Lines that connect vertices (edited via the Linedef Tool). Used to create walls, doors, or paths.
  • Sectors: Areas enclosed by edges (edited via the Sector Tool). Used to create floors, ceilings, or other surfaces.

You can navigate the map using:

  • Trackpad: Swipe to move around.
  • Arrow keys: Move the view in any direction.
  • Mini-map: Click on the mini-map in the Region section to jump to a location.
  • Mouse wheel / Trackpad + Ctrl (Mac: Command): Zoom in and out.

HUD Overview​

HUD

  • The upper-left corner of the HUD shows the current map position, which is also marked by a yellow rectangle on the map.
  • The numbers 1, 2, ..., 0 represent subdivisions of the map:
    • 1 = Largest subdivision (for broad layouts)
    • 10 = Smallest subdivision (for fine details)
  • Larger subdivisions help create detailed maps, while smaller subdivisions are useful for general layouts.
  • In 3D views, the HUD also contains a GEOM / DETAIL switch:
    • GEOM edits world geometry.
    • DETAIL edits the active surface profile directly in 3D.

Keyboard Shortcuts​

When the map view has focus, you can use the number keys (1-0) on your keyboard to quickly switch between subdivisions, instead of clicking on the HUD.

In 3D geometry views you can also use:

  • G: switch to GEOM
  • D: switch to DETAIL

Tile Icons​

The icons in the upper-right corner of the HUD are tool-specific and allow you to assign tiles to the selected geometry using the Apply and Remove buttons.

With the Builder Tool, the same HUD area is used for builder slots instead:

  • material slots such as TOP or LEGS
  • item slots used to attach child builder assets

While Builder is active, contexts that would normally switch the lower dock to Tiles show the Builder Picker instead.

With the Dungeon Tool, the lower picker area shows the Dungeon dock instead:

  • a structural tile palette for conceptual dungeon cells
  • a TOML settings panel for dungeon generation parameters such as floor base, height, and door settings

With the Palette Tool, the lower picker area shows the Palette dock instead:

  • a palette board for selecting and reordering palette entries
  • a material inspector for roughness, metallic, opacity, and emissive
  • Apply Color and Clear actions for palette-based assignment

3D Detail Editing​

DETAIL replaces the older separate surface-edit workflow. Instead of switching into a dedicated editing-surface mode, you stay in the normal 3D view and click the wall, floor, or ceiling you want to edit.

In DETAIL:

  • Vertex edits profile vertices.
  • Linedef edits profile edges and creates profile geometry.
  • Sector edits profile sectors such as holes and cutouts.

Profile-specific actions such as Window, Gate / Door, Recess, Relief, Clear Profile, and Create Prop appear when they are applicable.

Authoring Mode​

The tool strip also contains an Authoring toggle. When enabled, contexts that would normally show the Tiles dock show the Authoring dock instead.

Authoring mode lets you enter TOML metadata for selected sectors, linedefs, entity instances, and item instances.

For the full workflow and metadata format, see Authoring.

Palette Mode​

The Palette Tool is another bottom-row mode toggle. When enabled, contexts that would normally show the Tiles dock keep the Palette dock visible instead.

Palette mode is used for:

  • editing project palette entries
  • changing palette material properties
  • applying palette-index sources to geometry and Builder material slots

For the full workflow, see Palette Tool.