Hexographer Pro Features and Options: How to Customize and Enhance Your Maps
Hexographer Pro: The Ultimate Map Creation Software for Fantasy and Game Maps
If you are a fan of fantasy worlds, role-playing games, or tabletop games, you probably know how important maps are. Maps can help you visualize your setting, plan your adventures, or create your own worlds. But creating maps can be challenging, time-consuming, or expensive. That's why you need Hexographer Pro.
Hexographer Pro
Hexographer Pro is a powerful and easy-to-use software that lets you create beautiful maps in a few simple steps. Whether you want to make a world map, a starmap, a wilderness map, or anything in between, Hexographer Pro can help you do it fast and efficiently. You don't need any artistic skills or technical knowledge. You just need your imagination.
In this article, we will show you what Hexographer Pro can do for you, how to download and install it on your computer, how to use it to create maps, how to customize your maps with various options, and how to export and share your maps with others. By the end of this article, you will be ready to unleash your creativity and make amazing maps with Hexographer Pro.
How to Download and Install Hexographer Pro
Before you can start making maps with Hexographer Pro, you need to get a license key and download link for the software. You can purchase Hexographer Pro from its official website . The price is $32.95 USD for a single user license. You can pay with PayPal or credit card. Once you complete your purchase, you will receive an email with your license key code and a download link for the software. You can also download a free trial version of Hexographer Pro from the same website, but it has some limitations and watermarks on the maps. To install Hexographer Pro on your computer, you need to follow these steps: - Download the installer file for your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux) from the email or the website. - Run the installer file and follow the instructions on the screen. You may need to accept some permissions or security warnings. - Enter your license key code when prompted. You can also activate your license online or offline later. - Choose a destination folder for the installation. The default folder is C:\Program Files\Hexographer Pro on Windows, /Applications/Hexographer Pro on Mac, and /opt/Hexographer Pro on Linux. - Wait for the installation to finish. It may take a few minutes depending on your system and internet speed. - Launch Hexographer Pro from the start menu, desktop shortcut, or application folder. You can also run Hexographer Pro online without installing it on your computer. To do this, you need to visit its web version and enter your license key code. You can use any browser that supports Java, such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. However, running Hexographer Pro online may have some disadvantages, such as slower performance, limited storage space, and dependency on internet connection. How to Use Hexographer Pro to Create Maps
Now that you have downloaded and installed Hexographer Pro on your computer, you are ready to create your first map. Hexographer Pro is very user-friendly and intuitive, so you don't need any prior experience or training to use it. You can create a map in four easy steps:
- Start a new map or load an existing map - Choose a map style and size - Add terrain, features, icons, labels, and notes to your map - Edit, delete, move, copy, paste, undo, redo, and zoom your map elements Let's go through each step in detail. Start a new map or load an existing map
When you launch Hexographer Pro, you will see a welcome screen that gives you three options: New Map, Load Map, and Recent Maps. You can also access these options from the File menu.
If you want to start a new map from scratch, click on New Map. This will open a dialog box where you can choose the type of map you want to create: World/Continent Map, Kingdom Map, City/Village Map, Dungeon/Battle Map, Star System Map, or Custom Map. Each type of map has different presets and options that suit its purpose.
If you want to load an existing map that you have saved before, click on Load Map. This will open a file browser where you can navigate to the folder where your map is stored and select it. Hexographer Pro supports two types of files: .hxm files (Hexographer files) and .png files (image files). You can load any map that was created with Hexographer Pro or any image file that has hexagonal grid lines.
If you want to load a recent map that you have worked on before, click on Recent Maps. This will show you a list of the last 10 maps that you have opened or saved with Hexographer Pro. You can click on any map name to load it.
Choose a map style and size
After you start a new map or load an existing map, you will see the main window of Hexographer Pro. This is where you will create and edit your map. The main window consists of four parts: the toolbar at the top, the menu bar at the left, the status bar at the bottom, and the map area at the center.
The first thing you need to do is choose a map style and size for your map. The map style determines how your map will look like in terms of colors, icons, fonts, etc. The map size determines how many hexes your map will have in terms of rows and columns.
To choose a map style for your map, click on the Style button on the toolbar. This will open a drop-down menu where you can select one of the predefined styles: Classic Style (the default style), Old School Style (a retro style), Grey Style (a monochrome style), Colorful Style (a bright style), or Custom Style (a style that you can customize yourself). You can also change the style of individual elements later.
To choose a map size for your map, click on the Size button on the toolbar. This will open a dialog box where you can enter the number of hex rows and columns for your map. You can also adjust the hex size (the width and height of each hex) and the border size (the space between hexes). The default map size is 30 rows and 40 columns, with a hex size of 32 pixels and a border size of 1 pixel. You can also use the + and - buttons to increase or decrease the map size by 10 rows or columns at a time. You can change the map size later, but it may affect the layout of your map elements. Add terrain, features, icons, labels, and notes to your map
After you choose a map style and size for your map, you can start adding terrain, features, icons, labels, and notes to your map. These are the basic elements that make up your map. You can add them by using the toolbar or the menu bar on the left side of the main window.
The toolbar has several buttons that correspond to different types of elements. Each button has a drop-down menu that shows you the available options for that type of element. You can also use the arrow keys or the mouse wheel to scroll through the options. To add an element to your map, you need to select an option from the drop-down menu and then click on a hex on the map area. You can also drag and drop an option from the drop-down menu to a hex on the map area.
The menu bar has several tabs that correspond to different categories of elements. Each tab has a list of options that you can choose from. To add an element to your map, you need to select an option from the list and then click on a hex on the map area. You can also drag and drop an option from the list to a hex on the map area.
Here is a brief description of each type of element and how to add it to your map:
- Terrain: This is the background color or texture of each hex. It represents the natural environment of your map, such as grassland, forest, desert, water, etc. You can add terrain by clicking on the Terrain button on the toolbar or the Terrain tab on the menu bar. You can choose from various terrain types, such as Classic Terrain (the default terrain), Old School Terrain (a retro terrain), Grey Terrain (a monochrome terrain), Colorful Terrain (a bright terrain), or Custom Terrain (a terrain that you can customize yourself). You can also use the Random Terrain button or option to generate random terrain for your map. - Features: These are the shapes or patterns that overlay on top of the terrain. They represent the natural or artificial landmarks of your map, such as mountains, hills, rivers, roads, cities, etc. You can add features by clicking on the Features button on the toolbar or the Features tab on the menu bar. You can choose from various feature types, such as Classic Features (the default features), Old School Features (a retro features), Grey Features (a monochrome features), Colorful Features (a bright features), or Custom Features (a feature that you can customize yourself). You can also use the Random Features button or option to generate random features for your map. - Icons: These are the symbols or images that represent specific objects or entities on your map, such as characters, monsters, items, vehicles, etc. You can add icons by clicking on the Icons button on the toolbar or the Icons tab on the menu bar. You can choose from various icon sets, such as Classic Icons (the default icons), Old School Icons (a retro icons), Grey Icons (a monochrome icons), Colorful Icons (a bright icons), Custom Icons (an icon that you can customize yourself), or User Icons (an icon that you uploaded yourself). You can also use the Random Icons button or option to generate random icons for your map. - Labels: These are the text labels that identify or describe your map elements, such as names, titles, captions, etc. You can add labels by clicking on the Labels button on the toolbar or the Labels tab on the menu bar. You can choose from various label types, such as Classic Labels (the default labels), Old School Labels (a retro labels), Grey Labels (a monochrome labels), Colorful Labels (a bright labels), or Custom Labels (a label that you can customize yourself). You can also use the Random Labels button or option to generate random labels for your map. To add a label to your map, you need to enter the text of the label in the text box and then click on a hex on the map area. You can also drag and drop the text box to a hex on the map area. You can edit the text of the label by double-clicking on it or by using the Edit Label button or option. You can also change the font, size, color, alignment, and rotation of the label by using the Format Label button or option. - Notes: These are the hidden notes that provide additional information or comments about your map elements, such as descriptions, histories, stats, etc. You can add notes by clicking on the Notes button on the toolbar or the Notes tab on the menu bar. You can choose from various note types, such as Classic Notes (the default notes), Old School Notes (a retro notes), Grey Notes (a monochrome notes), Colorful Notes (a bright notes), or Custom Notes (a note that you can customize yourself). You can also use the Random Notes button or option to generate random notes for your map. To add a note to your map, you need to enter the text of the note in the text box and then click on a hex on the map area. You can also drag and drop the text box to a hex on the map area. You can edit the text of the note by double-clicking on it or by using the Edit Note button or option. You can also change the font, size, color, alignment, and rotation of the note by using the Format Note button or option. Notes are not visible on your map by default. You can toggle their visibility by using the Show/Hide Notes button or option. You can also view all your notes in a list by using the View Notes button or option. Edit, delete, move, copy, paste, undo, redo, and zoom your map elements
After you add terrain, features, icons, labels, and notes to your map, you can edit, delete, move, copy, paste, undo, redo, and zoom your map elements. These are some of the basic functions that allow you to modify and adjust your map according to your preferences. You can access these functions by using the toolbar buttons or the right-click menu options.
To edit an element on your map, you need to select it by clicking on it or by using the Select tool on the toolbar. Then you can use the Edit button or option to change its properties. For example, you can edit a terrain type by changing its color or texture. You can edit a feature type by changing its shape or pattern. You can edit an icon type by changing its symbol or image. You can edit a label type by changing its text or format. You can edit a note type by changing its text or format.
To delete an element on your map, you need to select it by clicking on it or by using the Select tool on the toolbar. Then you can use the Delete button or option to remove it from your map. You can also use the Clear button or option to clear all the elements from your map. To move an element on your map, you need to select it by clicking on it or by using the Select tool on the toolbar. Then you can use the Move button or option to drag and drop it to a new hex on the map area. You can also use the arrow keys to move it one hex at a time. To copy and paste an element on your map, you need to select it by clicking on it or by using the Select tool on the toolbar. Then you can use the Copy button or option to copy it to the clipboard. Then you can use the Paste button or option to paste it to a new hex on the map area. You can also use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V to copy and paste. To undo and redo an action on your map, you can use the Undo button or option to undo the last action you performed on your map. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Z to undo. You can use the Redo button or option to redo the last action you undid on your map. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Y to redo. To zoom in and out of your map, you can use the Zoom In button or option to zoom in by 10%. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl++ to zoom in. You can use the Zoom Out button or option to zoom out by 10%. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+- to zoom out. You can use the Zoom Fit button or option to fit your map to the window size. You can also use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out. How to Customize Your Maps with Hexographer Pro
After you create and edit your map with Hexographer Pro, you can customize your map with various options. These are some of the advanced functions that allow you to enhance and personalize your map according to your needs. You can access these functions by using the toolbar buttons or the menu options.
Here is a brief description of each function and how to use it:
- Change terrain and feature icons and add new custom ones: You can change the icons that represent different types of terrain and features on your map. You can also add new custom icons that you created yourself or downloaded from other sources. To do this, you need to click on the Change Icons button on the toolbar or go to Edit > Change Icons. This will open a dialog box where you can select a terrain or feature type and then choose a new icon from a list of available icons. You can also browse for an image file on your computer or enter a URL for an online image file. You can also add a new custom icon by clicking on the Add New Icon button and following the same steps. - Expand existing maps with extra hex rows or columns: You can expand your existing maps by adding extra hex rows or columns at any side of your map. This will increase the map size and give you more space to add more elements. To do this, you need to click on the Expand Map button on the toolbar or go to Edit > Expand Map. This will open a dialog box where you can enter the number of hex rows or columns that you want to add at the top, bottom, left, or right of your map. You can also choose the terrain type that will fill the new hexes. - Make child or sub-maps where one hex becomes multiple hexes in another map: You can make child or sub-maps that are linked to your main map. A child or sub-map is a map that zooms in on a specific hex of your main map and shows more details and elements. For example, you can make a child or sub-map that shows a city or a village inside a hex of your world map. To do this, you need to click on the Child Map button on the toolbar or go to Edit > Child Map. This will open a dialog box where you can select a hex on your main map that you want to make a child or sub-map of. You can also choose the type, style, and size of the child or sub-map. Then you can create and edit the child or sub-map as a separate map. You can also switch between the main map and the child or sub-map by using the Switch Map button on the toolbar or go to View > Switch Map. - Run the map key wizard to quickly create a key for your map: You can run the map key wizard to quickly create a key for your map. A key is a table that explains the meaning of each terrain, feature, icon, and label on your map. It helps your readers understand your map better. To run the map key wizard, you need to click on the Map Key button on the toolbar or go to Tools > Map Key Wizard. This will open a dialog box where you can choose which elements you want to include in your key and how you want to format it. You can also preview and edit your key before adding it to your map. - Add custom map items such as buildings and objects: You can add custom map items such as buildings and objects to your map. These are special elements that are not part of the default options of Hexographer Pro, but you can create them yourself or download them from other sources. They can add more detail and variety to your map. To add custom map items, you need to click on the Custom Map Items button on the toolbar or go to Tools > Custom Map Items. This will open a dialog box where you can browse for an image file on your computer or enter a URL for an online image file. You can also adjust the size and rotation of the image file. Then you can add it to your map as an icon by dragging and dropping it to a hex on the map area. How to Export and Share Your Maps with Hexographer Pro
After you create and customize your map with Hexographer Pro, you can export and share your map with others. These are some of the final functions that allow you to save and distribute your map according to your purpose. You can access these functions by using the toolbar buttons or the menu options.
Here is a brief description of each function and how to use it:
- Save your maps as hexographer files or image files: You can save your maps as hexographer files (.hxm) or image files (.png). Hexographer files are native files that store all the information and elements of your maps. They can only be opened by Hexographer Pro or its web version. Image files are common files that store only the visual appearance of your maps. They can be opened by any image viewer or editor program. To save your maps as hexographer files or image files, you need to click on the Save button on the toolbar or go to File > Save or File > Save As. This will open a dialog box where you can choose the file type and name for your map. You can also choose the folder where you want to save your map. - Print your maps or export them as PDF files: You can print your maps or export them as PDF files. Printing your maps allows you to have a physical copy of your maps that you can use for your games or display. Exporting your maps as PDF files allows you to have a digital copy of your maps that you can share online or offline. To print your maps or export them as PDF files, you need to click on the Print button on the toolbar or go to File > Print or File > Export as PDF. This will open a dialog box where you can choose the print or export settings for your map. You can also preview your map before