Tilemap Editor Overview
Quick Index
The PixelRoot32 Tilemap Editor is a visual tool for creating tile-based maps with multi-layer support, optimized for ESP32 hardware and the PixelRoot32 renderer.
Premium module
The Tilemap Editor is part of the Tool Suite. Licensing and downloads: pixelroot32.com.
What it does
- Paint tiles on canvas with layers
- Manage tilesets from PNG/JPG/BMP imports
- Multiple scenes in one project with shared tilesets
- Onion skinning — overlay scenes for alignment
- Layers — up to 8 layers per scene, palette slots P0-P7 for multi-palette
- Tile animations with live preview
- Tile attributes — collision metadata and export rules
- Export — C++ code ready for ESP32
Key Features (Summary)
| Area | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Tools | Brush, eraser, rectangle, pipette, attribute, animation eyedropper, live preview |
| Scenes | Multiple maps, onion skin, per-scene size |
| Layers | Up to 8, visibility, reorder, palette slot per layer |
| Tilesets | Multi-tileset, zoom, auto tile size |
| Export | Scene .h/.cpp, animations, setBackgroundCustomPaletteSlot() |
Documentation Structure
The documentation is organized in 4 guide levels:
| Guide | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Start | ⭐ Beginner | 5-minute quick start |
| Usage Guide | ⭐/⭐⭐ Basic/Intermediate | Essential features |
| Advanced Guide | ⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐ Advanced | Multi-palette, animations, attributes |
| Technical Reference | ⭐⭐⭐ Advanced | API, limits, data formats |
Data Formats
Project (.pr32scene / .pr32scene.bin)
- JSON — human-readable, git-friendly
- Binary — up to 335× smaller, 10× faster
Exported C++
- Scene pair:
scene_name.h/scene_name.cpp - Optional:
scene_name_animations.h/.cpp - Multi-palette uses per-layer slot setup
Getting started
- New project — tile size, map dimensions, target resolution
- Import tilesets — use menu or drag into panel
- Add layers — background, collision, detail, etc.
- Paint on the canvas
- Export to C++ — link generated files to engine
For detailed walkthrough, see the Quick Start Guide.
Next steps
- Installation
- Quick Start - First map in 5 minutes
- Usage Guide - Essential features