1. RPG MAKER – Lesson 1
Map Design and Properties
By Matthew Kiel

2. Objective and Requirements:
 You will learn how to create maps in RPG
Maker and manipulate the properties to
create worlds and levels.
 The requirements for this lesson is the
program RPG Maker VX Ace.

3. Step 1
 The first thing you are going to want to do
is open the program after installation.
 Once you do this you will see a blank blue
screen.
 Next you will want to start a new project
by going to File -> New Project.

4.  Once you have created a new project,
you’ll see a screen like this:

5. Step 2 - Tiles
 In the center of the screen, your current
map is shown with the default water tiles.
 These tiles can be changed by clicking on
a different tile from the selection on the
left, and then clicking on the tiles for the
current map.

6. Things to Know
 Whenever you are working with the
tiles, there are different tabs for tiles
depending on your map properties.
 If you look at the tool bar,
you can see tools such as the
draw square tool for placing
tiles easier. A & B
default
tabs for
tiles

7.  Once you have created maps using tiles, you can
start editing the properties of your map to your
liking.

8. Step 3 – Map properties
 To start messing with your map
properties, right click on the name of your
map under the tiles. Then choose map
properties.
 Then you will see a screen like this:

9. Changing the Properties
 From this screen, you can change various
properties of your map such as the
name, size, and the tile sets you want for
different tiles.
 You can also change the automatic
background and battle music that will play
when the player is on that map

10. Changing the
Properties
 Another important feature in the map
properties are the encounters.
 From the encounters menu, you can set
what monsters will appear on your map,
and how many steps it will take to
encounter them.

11. Summary:
 From using these tools that I just taught
you, try the following:
 Start messing with RPG Maker and the tiles
 Make a custom map (Village or Town)
 Change the properties of the map including the
name, background music, and encounters if you
so choose