Easily create engaging levels and tilemaps with the free, open-source, cross-platform Tiled Map Editor. Load your customized tilemaps directly into Unity for a seamless game development experience.

Available on the Asset Store: Unity Asset Store Link — only $5.00!
Web Demos/Examples: Demos and Examples

Getting Started

  1. Download and Install Tiled: Tiled Map Editor
  2. Configure Preferences:
    • In Tiled, go to Preferences and set “Store tile layer data as: XML”.

Supported Features from Tiled

  • Orthogonal maps up to approximately 50×50.
  • Supports any tile size and multiple layers/tilesets.
  • Use of tiles from different tilesets within the same layer.
  • Tilesets with margins and spacing.

Unsupported Features

  • Tiles smaller than the map’s initial setup (e.g., if set to 64×64, all tiles will be this size).
  • Drawing offsets, transparent color, tile rotation, isometric maps, object layers, and properties for map, tile, or layers.

Creating and Loading Tilemaps in Unity

Tilemaps in Unity
  1. Create the Map in Tiled (ensure to only use supported features listed above).
  2. Save as XML in the Unity project Assets folder. Mac users should save with the .tmx extension, then rename to .xml in Finder.
  3. Set Unity Camera to Orthogonal and adjust the Size as needed.
  4. Add TiledMap Prefab:
    • Drag the TiledMap prefab from the Project view into the Hierarchy.
    • Select the TiledMap Game Object, set Target Size according to project settings.
  5. Link Tilemap XML:
    • Drag your tilemap XML file into the “Tiled XML File” attribute, then click Reload and Commit.
  6. Assign Tileset Textures:
    • Drop textures in the same order as in Tiled. To verify, check the XML file for the order of tiles.
    • Click Reload and Commit to finalize.

Note: Whenever you update the tilemap in Tiled, click Reload and Commit in Unity. No need to reassign XML or textures after the first time.

Additional Settings

  • Bleeding Offset: Adjust this value if gaps appear between tiles as the camera moves. For smaller tiles (e.g., 16×16), increase the offset.
  • Layer Z Depth: Set the depth for each layer (Layer Z, Layer Z * 2, etc.).
  • Generate Mesh Collider: Enable automatic collision generation for the tilemap. Transparent/irregular areas may still appear boxed.

Saving Tiled Map as XML on Mac OS X

In Mac OS X, save with the .tmx extension in Tiled, then rename to .xml in Finder. This will need to be done each time the map is modified, as Unity does not recognize .tmx files.

Tileset Shaders

Each tileset defaults to the Unlit/Transparent Cutout shader. If you require a different shader, or if the tileset doesn’t render correctly, edit the materials in “Tileset Materials” to adjust as needed.

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