Build your first battle map in Atlas Forge

1. Choose a starting point

Open New Map and choose Custom Map for a blank artboard, Generator for a guided layout, or Premade Map to start from an existing map. Check the artboard size before building. Opening another map replaces the current workspace, so save a project copy first.

For an interactive walkthrough, open the editor menu and choose Open Tutorial. It introduces the asset library, Inspector, Blueprints, layers, and Lighting view.

2. Assemble and edit the scene

Use Map assets to find tiles, objects, and Blueprints. Tiles form the ground and rooms; objects add details such as furniture and markers. A Blueprint places a prepared arrangement that you can move and rotate together.

Select artwork and use the Inspector to adjust its size, rotation, opacity, and available appearance settings. Use Route for paths and passages, and Line, Fill, or shapes for drawn details. In Layers, hide, lock, or reorder items to manage the scene.

For a roadside ambush, start with terrain and add a route, cover, and obstacles. For a dungeon encounter, assemble rooms and passages, then place furniture and other objects around the playable area.

3. Keep an editable backup

The current map autosaves in this browser. For a separate copy, open Project → Export Map → Project File and download the .atlasforge file. Reopen it through Project → Open Project File.

Project files are free to download. Save one before clearing browser data or replacing the current map. Sign in to use Save to Cloud and Open Cloud Map; Atlas Forge and GM Toolkit use the same account.

4. Choose the right export

• JPG: a flattened map image for printing, sharing, or uploading to a virtual tabletop.
• Universal VTT: a .uvtt file containing the map and prepared wall, door, window, and light data. Your VTT needs a compatible importer.
• PSD: a protected Photoshop file with editable labels, lines, and grid layers.
• GM Toolkit: a free .atlas-toolkit.json file containing map, grid, layer, placed-item, and lighting data for the Toolkit.
• Project File: the free editable Atlas Forge project for continuing work later.

Finished JPG, Universal VTT, and PSD exports require sign-in and export access. The current credit option unlocks the specific map and size for seven days; corrections and re-exports within that window use the existing unlock. Check the export dialog for your account's current access. Personal exports do not include commercial publishing rights.

Check VTT walls before export

Open Lighting to inspect prepared walls, doors, windows, and lights. Use Wall Pencil to add missing light-blocking edges. Review the layout after editing passages and again in your VTT importer; imported lighting behavior depends on the destination platform.

Continue preparing your session

GM Toolkit organizes campaign notes, characters, encounters, and initiative. Browse downloadable RPG maps for other map packs, or return to the Atlas Forge overview and FAQs.