Codex Engine - Controls & Interaction Manual

J. Rogers, SE Ohio

This document outlines the controls for navigating and interacting with the different map views within the Codex Engine.

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1. Main Menu (Campaign Selection)

This is the initial screen for managing campaigns.

• Left-Click (Campaign): Selects and loads the clicked campaign, transitioning to the World Map view.

• Right-Click (Campaign): Opens a context menu with options:

  • Edit: (Placeholder) For renaming or changing campaign settings.

  • Delete: Permanently deletes the campaign and all its associated maps and data.

• Click "New Campaign": Switches to the campaign creation panel.

• Click "Create World": Creates a new campaign with the specified name and theme, then returns to the selection list. This button is disabled until both a name and a theme are provided.

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2. Geographical View (World Map & Local Map)

This view is for large-scale navigation, exploration, and placing major points of interest. Both World and Local maps share these controls.

General Navigation

• Left-Click + Drag (Empty Space): Pans the map.

• Arrow Keys: Pans the map.

• Mouse Wheel: Zooms the camera in and out.

• [ / ] Keys: Zooms the camera in and out.

Marker Interaction

• Short Left-Click (on Marker): Enters the marker.

  • On a World Map, this transitions to the corresponding Local Map.

  • On a Local Map, this transitions to the corresponding Tactical Map (Dungeon/Building).

• Right-Click (on Marker): Opens a context menu for that marker (Edit, Delete, Center View).

• Shift + Left-Click (on Empty Space): Opens the "Create New Marker" dialog at the clicked location.

• Left-Click + Drag (on Marker):

  • Tools Tab: Moves the marker to a new location on the map.

  • Info / Setup Tabs: Does nothing (drags the map instead). This prevents accidental movement.

• Hover (on Marker): Displays a tooltip with the marker's description.

Vector Editing (Tools Tab Only)

This mode is only active when a vector (Road/River) has been selected or is being created.

• Left-Click (on Vector): Selects the nearest existing road or river and enters editing mode.

• Left-Click (Empty Space): Adds a new point to the end of the active line.

• Left-Click + Drag (on Point): Drags and moves the selected point.

• Delete Key: Deletes the currently selected point.

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3. Tactical View (Dungeons & Buildings)

This view is for grid-based, room-by-room navigation and editing.

General Navigation

• Left-Click + Drag (Empty Space, outside Build tab): Pans the map.

• Arrow Keys: Pans the map.

• Mouse Wheel: Zooms the camera in and out.

Marker Interaction

• Short Left-Click (on Marker): Enters the marker (e.g., uses stairs, opens a door). This triggers a transition to another tactical map node.

• Right-Click (on Marker): Opens a context menu for that marker (Edit, Delete).

• Shift + Left-Click (on Empty Space, Tools Tab): Opens the "Create New Marker" dialog (for placing items, traps, etc.).

• Left-Click + Drag (on Marker, Tools Tab): Moves the marker to a new location on the grid.

Map Editing (Build Tab Only)

• Left-Click + Drag (on Grid): "Paints" the grid with the currently selected brush (Floor, Corridor, or Void).

Site Navigation (Loc Tab)

• Left-Click (on List Item): Immediately transitions the view to that specific floor or level within the complex.

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4. Global Controls (In-Game)

These keyboard shortcuts work in all map views (Geographical and Tactical).

• Esc Key: Navigates "Up" one level.

  • From Tactical -> Local Map.

  • From Local Map -> World Map.

  • From World Map -> Main Menu.

• H Key: Toggles the visibility of the left-hand sidebar UI.

• S Key: Manually saves the current camera position and UI settings for the current map.