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Flashpoint Map Maker User Guide

Flashpoint Map Maker is a QGIS plugin that helps you build hex-based game maps for Flashpoint Campaigns. It walks you through the full process from choosing a map area to exporting a finished image in nine sequential panels.

Who this guide is for

You do not need GIS experience. The plugin is designed for game map builders who want to turn real-world geography into hex-tiled game maps. Each panel in the sidebar handles one step of the process, and you work through them in order.

Requirements

Requirement Details
QGIS version 4.0.0 or later
Internet Optional for basemap tiles, elevation data, and OSM downloads
OpenTopography API key Optional; gives higher rate limits for DEM downloads
Disk space A typical project with elevation and OSM data uses 50-200 MB

Installation

Install the plugin from a zip file using Plugins > Manage and Install Plugins > Install from ZIP:

Install plugin from zip

After installation the plugin appears in the installed plugins list:

Plugin installed

Once installed, open it from the toolbar:

Toolbar icon

Workflow at a glance

Step Panel What you do
1 Setup Name your project, set directories, generate the folder structure
2 Map Area Define the area of interest (AOI) and optionally split it into tiles
3 Generate Grid Build the hex grid and helper layers
4 Elevation Download a DEM and sample elevation values per hex
5 OSM Import Pull roads, water, landcover, and buildings from OpenStreetMap
6 Layer Data Processing Convert imported source data into project-ready map layers
7 Map Style Build or update a styled presentation stack for the AOI
8 Labels Extract place names, road names, and water names for the map
9 Export Render the finished map to PNG or JPG at exact hex-aligned dimensions

Steps 4-8 are optional. You can skip any of them depending on what data you need in your final map.

Appendices