[Hajo]

I've started to work on an editor for layered maps, but I ran into a problem.

If a map square has tiles on many layers, it is currently hard to see which tile belongs to which layer. Actually in my current version it is impossible, and this makes map editing difficult unless one works with high discipline of which sort of tiles has to go in which layer.

Currently the UI looks like this:



I'm pondering about a kind of detail view area, which splits the square under the map cursor visually into the layers, so one can see which tile is on which layer.

Is this a good idea? How's this done in other editors for layered maps (I don't know any in detail ...)?

The editor is meant to work with isometric maps as well as rectangularly tiled maps.

Another question is, what kind of window size can I design for? More window space means more functions directly accessible or more information ... will someone want to use such a map editor on a Netbook or Smartphone? Currently I try to design for 800x600 pixels window size, but maybe 1024x600 would still be alright and not too much as a minimum requirement?

[Ninkazu]

You can allow toggling visibility of each layer, or have a more visual cue, like a color blend, e.g. layer 1's tiles are more bluish, layer 2 reddish, etc.

Going for anything more complicated will probably be detrimental to the tool's usability. Not to mention the coding for it is far more complicated.

[XMark]

Layer visibility toggle would be the simplest thing, I think.
_________________
Mark Hall
Abstract Productions
I PLAYS THE MUSIC THAT MAKES THE PEOPLES FALL DOWN!

[tcaudilllg]

Layer toggling is your best bet.

[Hajo]

[DeveloperX]

I would use a combination of a multi-colored onion-skin effect for each layer (letting the user choose their own colors for any layer would be nice) and flashing the tile that is under the cursor if it is on the current layer.

The flashing effect would be fine by itself as well, and is very simple to implement.

My $0.02 on the problem.
Good luck. :)
_________________
Principal Software Architect
Rambling Indie Games, LLC

See my professional portfolio

[Hajo]

At the moment I use a grid of horizontal lines which is displayed in between the current and the lower layers. This works quite nicely to give an idea on which layer one is working. I set it so that the mouse wheel changes layers, so it's quick to move the grid up and down, and see which objects belong to the upper and the lower layers.

If you want to can take a look at it over there:
http://www.funkelwerk.de/forum/index.php?topic=362.0

Screenshots are all without the grid, but the download is small. I haven't advertised the tool elsewhere yet, since it looked too incomplete to be useful yet.

Also, good to see you back in the forum, DeveloperX!