Map Editors for strategy games can be fun to deal with. Same goes for StarCraft 2 as it has got many things to offer. Obviously, you don’t need to program anything or design anything on your own to make a custom map or a unit. All you need to do is play with the detailed options provided in the game and create what you want. Following guide will cover the basics about the Map Editor of StarCraft 2. First lets get to know what buttons perform which particular task.
New Document (Ctrl+N)
As the name says, this button is to create a new document for your custom map.
Open Document (Ctrl+O)
Opens a previously saved document.
Save Document (Ctrl+S)
Saves your current progress.
Cut, Copy and Paste Buttons
Just like in any text editor these buttons are the same and perform same tasks with same short keys e.g Ctrl+X is used to cut anything.
Module Buttons
Terrain Editor (F5)
This is the default windows of the editor and is the place where you add units adjust cameras and adjust your map’s terrain.
Trigger Editor (F6)
Here you can adjust your GUI triggers and also select the nature of the map for example the singleplayer or the multiplayer, by default its multiplayer.
Data Editor (F7)
As the name indicates, it actually edits all the basic features, like abilities of the units created.
Text Editor (F8)
This launches the text editor, easily handles strings and even has a useful aid to color with built in.
Importer (F9)
This tab is used to import or export files.
Overview Manager (F12)
This one is for the detailed description of your mods and map.
Test Document (Ctrl+F9)
This will launch the game to test what you have developed using the editor.
Mini Map
Adds a feature of mini map just like in game so that you can scroll and find which unit has been placed where.
Tool Box
Contains the tools you may need depending upon the layer you are in.
Layer
This tab allows you to adjust units paths and cameras for your terrain.
Status Bar
This bar gives information about the things you are doing e.g the layer you are in and difficulty used for a certain unit etc.
How to Create Starcraft 2 Custom Map
Since now you know the major buttons used in StarCraft 2 map editor, I will try to summarize a simple map and unit creation.
Step 1| Create a new Document
Open StarCraft 2 map editor and create a new document. You will have to select the parameters of you terrain, adjust them according to your desire.
Step 2| Adjust Triggers
Now in the Module tab or using the hotkey (F6), open Triggers menu. This menu enables you to adjust map conditions,resources and local variables etc. By default it is set to “Melee initialization” which is for multiplayer mod.
Step 3| Select a Unit
After creating your map, make sure that you are in Terrain module. Then in “Layer” tab, select the thing you want to add e.g if you want to add a marine add “Marine” in the search box given below and select Marine in the displayed list.You can choose any unit you want. Now after you have selected the unit, place it on your Terrain on the right. Player 1 option is for human control and player 2 for AIs or other players.
Step 4| Add abilities
Now you can assign different abilities to your newly created unit. All you need to do is select “data” module (F7) and assign it any available abilities you want. Make sure that you have selected data type as “unit”. Then you can locate your unit you created above from the search tab like it is a “Marine” in my case.
Step 5| Remove requirements & Hotkey Assignment
Now if you want your unit to work immediately, you need to remove requirements needed to use a particular ability e.g research level etc.This can be done in the same data module. Further more you also need to adjust the energy requirements as many abilities have certain energy requirements. Also don’t forget to assign a particular hotkey for the ability to be activated.
That’s all for the basics. You can use this basic tutorial to make your own devastating units and rugged maps. Best of luck and happy mapping!
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