Tutorials/Map Editor/Introduction to the Map Editor/Basic Editor Functions

Basic Editor Functions
Topic:	Map Editor Intro Part 2
Difficulty:	Easy
Tools:	Map Editor

Now that we have the map editor loaded up, I will explain what each button does in the main toolbar and some common uses of them. As well as some helpful shortcut keys and useful notes. Advanced items, and explanation of the editor tools will be found in later tutorials.

MAP

New Map	Starts a new map
Load Map	Loads an existing map
Save Map	Saves the current map
Export Map	Used for exporting a selection of your map as Selection Binary Data (SBD) or as an OBJ (useful in modeling programs) This can be used to copy sections of map or to aid in making a custom prefab or modeled object. See the Advanced tutorial to learn more
Import Map	Importing SBD into currently loaded map
Run Map	Closes the editor and starts the game with a preview profile to test the currently opened map

Edit Mode

New Item	Opens the respective dialog box depending on the selected Item type to add new item
Move Item	Movement tool on item to move along X, Y, Z axis
Scale Item	Scale tool on applicable item to move along X, Y, Z axis
Delete Item	Deletes selected item(s)
Item Properties	Opens the respective dialog box depending on selected Item type to modify whole item
Node Properties	Displays info about selected node including Type, UID, Rotation, Position, Locked, Free Rotation etc.
Place Start	Places the start point for previewing the map (pink car in ETS2 / pink truck in ATS)
Height	Moves a selected object along the Z axis
Rotate X	Rotates selected item along X, Y, Z axis
Rotate Y	Rotates selected item along X, Y, Z axis
Rotate Z	Rotates selected item along X, Y, Z axis
Brush	Used to paint textures on terrain and road item terrain and remove vegetation
Ruler	Tool used to measure distance in meters, can be clicked multiple times to draw segments
Terrain Picker	<Defunct>
Scene Preview	<Defunct>
Traffic tool	Used to check AI traffic flow, can also help find errors with road connections, see speed limits
Vertex tool	Used to manipulate vertices on terrain quads; can build terrain look and seal gaps
Mute all sounds	Mutes all sound

Snap

Snap to nodes	Nodes will snap to other nodes; used for connecting road/prefab pieces or stacking models
Snap to vertices	Vertices will snap to other vertices; used with the vertex tool
Snap to grid	Items will snap to points on the editor's grid
Snap to ground	Items will fall to ground or other lowest point; another objects collision is ignored
Snap to All Static Collisions	Items will fall to ground or another objects collision model; IE. stacking two models on top of each other

Selection

Box Selection	Select items by clicking and draging a box around them. Holding CTRL adds item to selection and holding ALT removes items from selection
Lasso Selection	Select items by clicking and drawing a free form shape around them. Holding CTRL adds item to selection and holding ALT removes items from selection

Camera

Top Camera	Top down view of the world used for getting the big picture and creating general layout of an area; the grid can only be seen using this mode
Free Camera	Allows you to fly around the map with W, A, S, D, Q, E, Scroll Wheel up/down
Freeze camera view	Works much like the pause option in game; flying around with the free camera or newly placed objects will not render until the camera is unfrozen

Tools

Content browser	This window shows all assets in the game separated into categories; lots of information can be seen here regarding a particular asset - see the advanced tutorial for more info
Weather editor	Allows you to edit the weather, sunlight, color, clouds, and DOF
Settings	Settings for the editor including scale, zoom speed, and auto save time
Find	Dialog box for finding all types of items with all types of identifiers (sector, UID, city, position, etc.)

Item Type

Bezier Patch	Placeable piece of terrain that can be configured in a few ways; good for patching up odd holes in the terrain
Buildings	Lines of models used for decoration and function (invisable walls, tree walls, fences, etc.)
Camera Path	Path for a cutscene camera to travel along
Camera point	A stationary point that a camera rotates around IE first garage, first truck, etc.
City	Item that defines city name and city size; new cities must be setup in game DEF files
Curve	Similar to building item, however, these items have more options and are more flexible for complex situations depedning on item
Cut plane	Performance item, used for controlling visibility of objects on either side of a plane
Cutscene	Item to control game, map, and cutscene events
Far model	Performance item, controls visibility of items at certain distances
Ferry	Rail/ferry item to teleport player from one point to another as defined in game DEF files
Gate	Animated gate that follow certain parameters or triggers
Hookup	Places a model hookup item; see the tutorial on hookups
Map area	Drawn item with 3 or more points that define some area on the gps or "fake" road/prefab
Map Overlay	Item that puts an overlay on the map - icon, landmark, text, etc.
Model	Model item from /def/world/model.sii
Mover	Mover item from /def/world/mover.sii; an object that is animated or follows a path IE train, animals, people
No weather area	A defined area where weather is effected; IG. for marking no rain inside tunnel or inside building, etc.
Prefab	Models that have advanced uses and complex layouts and parts; companies, services, fuel stations, highway interchanges, joints, intersections, junctions, etc.
Road	Main item used for connecting items together and options for connected terrain
Sign	Editable signs/boards and static (unediatable) signs
Terrain	Similar to road piece, but no road
Traffic area	Drawn item with 3 or more points that define some area regarding how traffic will behave in certain situations
Trajectory	Item that effects how vehicles behave in certain situations; used mostly with oversized missions and other road events
Trigger	Drawn item with 2 or more points that define some area that triggers some object, script, event IE sleeping area
Visibility area	Performance item, used in managing what is visible to the player and where; works in tandem with cut planes

Grid Defined the grid size in meters; the grid can only be seen in the top camera view!

Rotation Rotation step of an object in degrees; hold Shift to take effect

Gizmo

Global	Aligns the move/rotation gizmo to be pointed in Northern direction
Local	Aligns the move/rotation gizmo to be pointed in relation to the object
View	Aligns the move/rotation gizmo to be pointed in relation to the camera view
Curve	<Defunct>
Circle	Aligns the move/rotation gizmo to be follow a circle; useful for roads and other curved objects

That is everything covered on the main toolbar and should get you started in the right direction. In future tutorials, we will examine more advanced tools and map debugging items.

Helpful Notes

F1 Key - Opens help dialog where you can find all types of key shortcuts to make your life easier along with a few quick references
F5 Key - Opens the mini gps view on the top right of the editor to help visualize what you are doing
Where did my items go? - Hit the A key a few times to toggle between showing background map, items, and map + items
Help! I can't click items or open the console/dialog box in the editor - Minimize the editor and go to desktop. When you go back to editor everything should be working
My editor crashes randomly or while saving/loading - Check the editor.log.txt to see the nature of the crash