rpgmaker-map-building

Building maps

Loop: plan -> paint -> look -> fix

1. create_map with a size and tilesetId; pass fill (e.g. {sheet: "A2", kind: 16}) so layer 0 is not empty.
2. get_tileset_info {tilesetId} for the overview, then get_tileset_info {tilesetId, sheet: "A2"} for kinds and passability. get_tileset_image shows the sheet so you can pick by looks.
3. paint_tiles with a list of operations (cells, rect, fill). Autotile edges and corners are computed for you - paint plain rectangles and let the shapes resolve.
4. render_map_image after every few operations. It draws the real graphics, event sprites and numbered markers. Use x/y/width/height to zoom and showGrid to read coordinates and showPassability to tint cells red that are blocked in at least one direction.
5. Fix what looks wrong and repeat. render_map (text) is the cheap alternative when you only need exact tile ids.

Layers

Erasing needs an explicit layer: {tile: 0, layer: 2, ...}.

Tile choice

• A1 water/waterfalls, A2 ground, A3 building tops/walls, A4 wall tops and sides, A5 plain ground tiles, B-E decoration/objects.
• Tiles from a sheet the tileset does not assign are invisible - the tools refuse them. Use set_map_tileset to switch sets (existing ids keep their numbers, so repaint if the layouts differ).
• Check passability in get_tileset_info before relying on a tile as a floor or a wall: a "wall" you can walk through is the most common map bug.
• A tile painted on layer 0 without ground below it shows black where the tile is transparent - put a ground fill underneath first.

Composition tips

• Start with the big shapes (ground fill, water, paths), then buildings and walls, then objects (trees, signs) on layer 2, then events.
• Leave a walkable border or an exit; players must be able to reach every event.
• Vary the ground: a second A2 kind in patches looks much better than one flat fill.
• Keep doors and exits 1 tile wide and mark them clearly.