Workflows
Map Editor and TileMapLayer
Use layers, selections, collisions, regions, events, and validation in map workflows.
v0.9.4Godot 4.7 stable4.6.3 supportedCurrent
This page summarizes the current v0.9.4 workflow and keeps Early Access boundaries clear.
Map Editor and TileMapLayer workflows
Map Editor is for map painting, map organization, and map gameplay metadata. v0.9.4 generated dungeons and overworlds can create editable DreamMapRoot scenes under res://dream/maps/generated/ using real TileMapLayer layers where supported.
Use Map Editor when you want to:
- Paint or edit a map.
- Organize layers such as terrain, walls, objects, collision, navigation, or visual detail.
- Place map events like doors, chests, NPCs, triggers, spawns, or exits.
- Paint gameplay regions such as encounter zones, music zones, weather zones, safe/danger zones, or fast travel points.
- Validate map structure before testing.
Beginner task: create a small map with one floor layer, one obstacle/collision area, one NPC/event, one region, and one Quick Play test.
Map Editor workflow
Map Editor uses real Godot TileMapLayer nodes for visible map layers and helper nodes for gameplay data such as events, regions, collision helpers, and navigation helpers.
A map usually includes:
| Piece | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Visual tile layers | Ground, terrain, walls, objects, roofs, shadows |
| Event layer | Doors, chests, NPCs, shops, triggers |
| Region data | Encounter zones, music zones, safe/danger zones |
| Collision/navigation helpers | Data that helps movement and validation |
| Resources | Items, enemies, quests, dialogue, shops, troops |
| Logic graphs | .dcs / DreamSequence behavior for events and triggers |
Default map layers in Map Editor
| Layer | Use it for | Z index | Y-sort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground | Base grass, dirt, stone, floor, water base | 0 | No |
| Terrain | Terrain transitions, paths, cliffs, special floor surfaces | 1 | No |
| Walls | Blocking walls, vertical surfaces, building bodies | 2 | No |
| Objects | Interactive/decorative objects that may overlap the player | 3 | Yes |
| Furniture | Tables, chairs, interior objects | 4 | Yes |
| Decorations | Plants, signs, props, small scenery | 5 | Yes |
| Roofs | Roof overlays and upper structures | 6 | No |
| Shadows | Decorative shadow overlays | 7 | No |
