• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 19:26
CEST 01:26
KST 08:26
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL22] Ro4 Preview: Mirror Mirror6[ASL22] Ro8 Preview: Within Reach5[ASL22] Ro8 Preview: In A Tizzy11[ASL22] Ro16 Preview: Holy Diver5[ASL22] Ro16 Preview: Rough Waters10
Community News
Rollback Netcode in Brood War845.0.17 Patch Notes - October 7, 202622Weekly Cups Results (Sep 28-Oct 4)0SC4ALL: II SC2 Complete Invited Player Lineup10StarCraft II 5.0.17 PTR Patch Notes (Sept 30, 2026)78
StarCraft 2
General
5.0.17 Patch Notes - October 7, 2026 ESL Pro Tour for SC2 discontinued [Old] StarCraft 3 Reportedly in Development StarCraft II 5.0.17 PTR Patch Notes (Sept 30, 2026) How do you feel about the mass reverts in the 5.0.17 PTR?
Tourneys
Stellar Fest TWO the Moon (Dec 16-20) ISSL (IntoTheTV x SOOP SC2 League): Premier RSL 2026 Offline Finals LCQ Sign-Ups $3,500 WardiTV Not-Summer Championship ScienceCraft (October 24-25) - Live Event
Strategy
[H] ZvP Mid-Late Game: Stalkers Collossi HT
Custom Maps
[M] (2) Sweltering Sands [M] (2) Frigid Storage
External Content
The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 547 Temple Of Terror Mutation # 546 Catch the Train Mutation # 545 And Drops and Rifts
Brood War
General
New 3v3 BGH Ladder (and more) on ShieldBattery! ASL FINALS HYPE VIDEO 2X BW General Discussion GG Lan Fest Sofia, Bulgaria [this November] Sagi.gg Launcher Released
Tourneys
ASL 22 Finals [Megathread] Daily Proleagues [ASL22] Semifinal A [ASL22] Semifinal B
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Cliff Jump Revisited (1 in a 1000 strategy) Replay Review Process - What do you do?
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread General RTS Discussion Thread Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Total Annihilation Zero
Dota 2
Dota 2 Champions League Season 3 Begins April 25!
League of Legends
[TL LoL EUW IHs] Teemo shall perish
Heroes of the Storm
Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
Russo-Ukrainian War Thread US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Canadian Politics Mega-thread Artificial Intelligence Thread
Fan Clubs
Serral Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Movie Discussion! Diablo Animated Series on Netflix
Sports
Football (Soccer) Thread TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 MLB/Baseball 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
Recent Gifted Posts
Blogs
The Link Between Gaming and …
TrAiDoS
[ASL22] Ro4 Day1 Ticket Giv…
bITt.mAN
38 yo Retired SWE loo…
PurE)Rabbit-SF
Can Bots Beat Pros?? Starcr…
namkraft
[meme] I finally understa…
LUCKY_NOOB
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 14646 users

[G] Useful Hotkeys for Map Makers

Forum Index > SC2 Maps & Custom Games
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
IronManSC
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
United States2119 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-03-24 00:25:57
March 24 2012 00:08 GMT
#1
Useful Editor Hotkeys (Melee)
by IronManSC





INTRODUCTION

The hotkeys below are the most efficient methods to use when navigating around the StarCraft II Map Editor. They are very easy to use once you learn them, and they will help you create melee maps in a much faster time frame.




VIEWING KEYS

Editor/Game View ---> V
  • Editor View will show the bounds and/or grid if you have them enabled
  • Game View takes away the grid, starting position indicators, and adjusts the lighting



Gameplay Camera View ---> Cmd + SHIFT + C (mac) or Control + SHIFT + C (pc)
  • This view shows you what it looks like as if you were playing your map in-game



3D Custom Camera Maneuvering ---> SHIFT + Right-Click
  • Hold it down to maneuver at any angle you want



Zoom in and out --> Control + Right-Click
  • Move the mouse vertically up or down to zoom in and out
  • If you don't like this method, simply use the mouse wheel instead (I use the mouse wheel, it's better methinks)






GRID AND BOUNDARY KEYS

Grid On/Off ---> G
  • Press once = large grid
  • Press twice = tiny grid
  • It is recommended to always use the large grid



Placement Grid On/Off ---> SHIFT + H
  • Grid can be on or off for this
  • Important for mineral and gas placements
  • Don't forget to turn the placement grid off after you're done using it



Bounds On/Off ---> O
  • Bounds don't always need to be on
  • Playable bounds are the last grey lines near the outside boundaries/edges






PALETTE KEYS

(NOTE: To change from palette to palette, make sure you select something in the list so it will change (only applies to doodads and units, which contain scrollable lists). Why? by default (or sometimes), the 'search' bar will be selected, so pressing another shortcut key will only search for it instead of switching the palette).

Terrain Palette ---> T
  • Contains landscape, water, cliffs, ramps, and foliage



Doodad Palette ---> D
  • Contains scenery items, such as rocks, trees, bridges, statues, decals, structures, etc



Unit Palette ---> U
  • Contains all units and buildings for each race
  • In the drop box, select 'Neutral' to bring up destructible rocks, watch towers, and resources



Pathing ---> H
  • This controls where units can and cannot go
  • Must be in editor view ( the letter V ) for pathing to show up



Starting Locations --- > P
  • Contains the spawn locations for each player






DOODAD & UNIT KEYS

Doodad & Unit Placement ---> Select a doodad or unit, then do Control + Left-Click (mac) or Shift + Left Click (pc)
  • Using this method allows you to place doodads wherever you want with no restrictions
  • Hold it down to spam endless doodads
  • Hold it down and click once wherever you want for accurate doodad placement
  • If you don't like this method, simply use the arrow keys



Doodad Rotating ---> Select a doodad, then do SHIFT + Left-Click (mac) or Control + Left Click (pc)
  • If done properly, a rotating arrow will become your cursor
  • Simply move the cursor around the doodad in a 360 rotation and watch the doodad rotate
  • Rotate until satisfied
  • If you want to do instant 180 degree rotations, Simply press the / key (forward slash) on the num pad



Doodad & Unit Size ---> + or - on the num pad
  • Select one or more units and/or doodads
  • Press the + or - sign on your number pad on the keyboard
  • Increase or decrease the size until you are satisfied



Doodad & Unit Height (raise and lower) ---> Page Up and Page Down
  • Select one or more units and/or doodads
  • Push and hold 'page up' to raise the doodad
  • Push and hold 'page down' to lower the doodad



Copy and Paste ---> Select anything, then do Cmd C, then Cmd V (mac) or Control C, then Control V (pc)
  • You can only copy one category at a time (categories are doodads, units, and terrain). If you want to copy doodads, you must have the doodad palette present under the mini-map. If you want to copy terrain, you must have the terrain present, and if you want to copy units, you must have the unit palette present. You cannot copy all three simultaneously
  • To rotate the copied units, doodads, or terrain, simply paste it *once* to bring up the pasting indicator box (purple rectangle), then press the forward slash key twice to make it symmetrical - then click to paste






THE MOST IMPORTANT KEY OF ALL!


Undo ---> Cmd + Z (mac) or Control + Z (pc)
  • Every map maker will have to "undo" something at one point or another. This is completely necessary to know



I hope you find this helpful
-IronManSC
SC2 Mapmaker || twitter: @ironmansc || Ohana & Mech Depot || 3x TLMC finalist || www.twitch.tv/sc2mapstream
InfestedHydralisk
Profile Joined October 2010
Netherlands110 Posts
March 24 2012 00:20 GMT
#2
Good overview, but I knew this when SC2 came out.
Champion seed spitting.
IronManSC
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
United States2119 Posts
March 24 2012 00:22 GMT
#3
On March 24 2012 09:20 InfestedHydralisk wrote:
Good overview, but I knew this when SC2 came out.


When I showed this to Barrin before posting, he said he didn't even know some of these, or even use some of them. That's when I knew I HAD to post this. This is really just a reference guide incase someone forgets what a hotkey is. Otherwise, someone who is new to map making can use this to learn and see what each key's functionality is.
SC2 Mapmaker || twitter: @ironmansc || Ohana & Mech Depot || 3x TLMC finalist || www.twitch.tv/sc2mapstream
Namrufus
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
United States396 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-03-24 00:33:24
March 24 2012 00:30 GMT
#4
Oh wow cool, very nice I didn't know some of these

I think you should also include the rotation keys: numpad . * and / rotates the selection 180 90 and -90 degrees and mirror keys alt-comma and alt-period mirror horizontal and vertical, useful for mirroring terrain, mineral lines or even doodads quickly
Edit: oops, sorry, you already have this one

also ctrl-a to select everything, and ctrl-shift-a to select all of one type (for example select one type of doodad hit crtl-shift-a to select all of that type of doodad to delete or change color etc, or select all minerals to change the mineral count)

and also Enter to edit the current selection (opens the window to change unit or doodad stats quickly)
This is it... the alpaca lips.
InfestedHydralisk
Profile Joined October 2010
Netherlands110 Posts
March 24 2012 01:07 GMT
#5
On March 24 2012 09:22 IronManSC wrote:

When I showed this to Barrin before posting, he said he didn't even know some of these, or even use some of them. That's when I knew I HAD to post this. This is really just a reference guide incase someone forgets what a hotkey is. Otherwise, someone who is new to map making can use this to learn and see what each key's functionality is.


Yeah, it's a really good post, very easy to look through aswell.
Champion seed spitting.
InfestedHydralisk
Profile Joined October 2010
Netherlands110 Posts
March 24 2012 01:28 GMT
#6
Sorry for doublepost but wouldn't it also be useful to make a thread with some mapmaking tips like bringing some players to the awareness that for example they can enlarge/shorten map bounds of a map they are already working on, instead of completely remaking one? I think some players don't know this. Or does such a thread already excist?
Champion seed spitting.
Timetwister22
Profile Joined March 2011
United States538 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-03-24 01:44:06
March 24 2012 01:39 GMT
#7
Alt+, and Alt+. mirrors horizontally and vertically. Also / and * rotate at 90 degrees. These things I'm using pretty much 24/7 when creating a layout. Also just holding SHIFT makes doodads and units ignore placement requirements when you see them in their "ghost" mode before you place them. Also, you included ctr + Z, but not ctr + Y. Can't tell you the amount of times ill undo just one too many things and will have to redo them using ctr + Y.
Former ESV Mapmaker | @Timetwister22
eTcetRa
Profile Joined November 2010
Australia822 Posts
March 24 2012 02:15 GMT
#8
I've been using the map editor since release an I didn't know the height/raise keys on the numpad (only rotate/flip)

Thanks bud!
Retired Mapmaker™
S1eth
Profile Joined November 2011
Austria221 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-03-24 20:37:25
March 24 2012 14:43 GMT
#9
Edit->Nudge has a dozen useful shortcuts listed.
You might want to add , (Variation Next) and . (Variation Previous) and CTRL+ALT+H (Show Mesh)

As Namrufus said, you can press numpad . instead of pressing numpad / twice for a 180° rotation.

"If you want to do instant 180 degree rotations, Simply press the / key (forward slash) on the num pad"
= 90° instead of 180°

Gameplay Camera View --> Middle mouse button

EDIT:

Doodad & Unit Variation ---> , or .
  • , for next variation
  • . for previous variation


Doodad Rotating ---> Select a doodad, then do SHIFT + Left-Click (mac) or Control + Left Click (pc)
  • If done properly, a rotating arrow will become your cursor
  • Simply move the cursor around the doodad in a 360 rotation and watch the doodad rotate
  • Rotate until satisfied
  • To rotate by 180°, press the Numpad . key
  • To rotate clockwise by 90°, press the Numpad * key
  • To rotate clockwise by 90°, press the Numpad / key


Flip Selection ---> Select terrain/units/doodads, then do ALT + , or .
  • To flip horizontally, press the ALT + . key
  • To flip vertically, press the ALT + , key



Placement Grid On/Off ---> ??CMD + SHIFT + H?? (mac) or CTRL + SHIFT + H (pc)
  • Grid can be on or off for this
  • Important for mineral and gas placements ("Near Resources")


Pathing Mesh On/Off ---> ??CMD + ALT + H?? (mac) or CTRL + ALT + H (pc)
  • Grid can be on or off for this
  • Important for drawing unpathable terrain


Gameplay Camera View ---> Middle Mouse Button or Cmd + SHIFT + C (mac) or Control + SHIFT + C (pc)
  • This view shows you what it looks like as if you were playing your map in-game


Gfire
Profile Joined March 2011
United States1699 Posts
March 24 2012 16:29 GMT
#10
Hmmm... Shift+H is turn pathing layer visibility on/off, and ctrl+shift+H is to turn the placement grid on/off.
all's fair in love and melodies
Aunvilgod
Profile Joined December 2011
2653 Posts
March 24 2012 17:16 GMT
#11
I am sure most people youse the mousewheel for the ingame view
ilovegroov | Blizzards mapmaker(s?) suck ass | #1 Protoss hater
IronManSC
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
United States2119 Posts
March 24 2012 17:26 GMT
#12
If you guys need me to add or edit something, please write it in this format to avoid confusion:

[What the Command Does] ---> [command here] (mac) or [command here] (pc)
• note 1
• note 2
SC2 Mapmaker || twitter: @ironmansc || Ohana & Mech Depot || 3x TLMC finalist || www.twitch.tv/sc2mapstream
Randomaccount#77123
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
United States5003 Posts
March 24 2012 17:32 GMT
#13
--- Nuked ---
a176
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
Canada6688 Posts
March 24 2012 19:04 GMT
#14
I have binded "View entire map" to ctrl+shift+e.

Instead of fussing around with mouselook; ctrl+shit+c for gameplay view, ctrl+shift+e for overview.
starleague forever
Apom
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
France656 Posts
March 25 2012 01:57 GMT
#15
On March 25 2012 01:29 Gfire wrote:
Hmmm... Shift+H is turn pathing layer visibility on/off, and ctrl+shift+H is to turn the placement grid on/off.

Exactly. Actually shift + any palette key will show/hide items of that palette.

Also of note is shift + O (display ranges), and as someone already pointed out, the enter key.
Namrufus
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
United States396 Posts
March 25 2012 19:37 GMT
#16
On March 25 2012 02:26 IronManSC wrote:
If you guys need me to add or edit something, please write it in this format to avoid confusion:

[What the Command Does] ---> [command here] (mac) or [command here] (pc)
• note 1
• note 2


Select All ---> ???Cmd + A (mac) or Ctrl + A (pc)
  • selects everything on the map, depending on the current pallet (all doodads, all terrain, all units, etc)


Select All of One Type ---> ???Cmd + SHIFT + A (mac) or Ctrl + SHIFT + A (pc)
  • selects all entities on the map of the type currently selected, depending on the current pallet (all of one type of doodad, etc)


Modify Properties ---> ???Enter(mac) or Enter (pc)
  • edit the properties of the current selection (height, scale, rotation, colorization, resource count, owner, etc)
  • it is possible to edit the properties of more than one entity at a time by selecting more than one and pressing enter
This is it... the alpaca lips.
TheFish7
Profile Blog Joined February 2012
United States2824 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-03-29 17:34:46
March 28 2012 16:01 GMT
#17
Hey I have a question to which I can't find the answer.

If you hold down shift while placing doodads, it checks "ignore placement requirements"
Is there a button to hold down that will check "do not use doodad footprint" ?

Oh, I also will add -


- - >Generate Terrain Foliage Ctrl + Shift + D (PC)

-Randomly places plants, rocks, etc. based on textures on the ground
-Useful for seeing how the map will look once rendered in-game
-doesn't show up on low settings

- - >Generate Lighting Map Ctrl + Shift + L (PC)

-Renders shadows and lighting
-Be sure to have the lighting window open if using custom lighting
~ ~ <°)))><~ ~ ~
Xiphias
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Norway2223 Posts
May 16 2014 10:28 GMT
#18
Sorry for the bump, but is there a hotkey to quickly browse through the different variations of a doodad? Some of those have almost 20 variations.
aka KanBan85. Working on Starbow.
Meavis
Profile Blog Joined September 2011
Netherlands1300 Posts
May 16 2014 10:48 GMT
#19
On May 16 2014 19:28 Xiphias wrote:
Sorry for the bump, but is there a hotkey to quickly browse through the different variations of a doodad? Some of those have almost 20 variations.


, and .
"Not you."
Xiphias
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Norway2223 Posts
May 16 2014 11:10 GMT
#20
Oh, I'm in heaven! That was sooo much better. Thanks Meavis!
aka KanBan85. Working on Starbow.
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 11h 34m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
PiGStarcraft470
ProTech150
Vindicta 17
StarCraft: Brood War
Artosis 755
Aegong 35
Dota 2
NeuroSwarm150
monkeys_forever146
canceldota110
Super Smash Bros
PPMD44
Heroes of the Storm
Grubby3998
Other Games
summit1g4990
C9.Mang0359
JimRising 106
ZombieGrub89
Mew2King37
[ Show 13 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• RyuSc2 45
• davetesta36
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• Migwel
StarCraft: Brood War
• blackmanpl 45
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Scarra1062
Other Games
• imaqtpie1390
Upcoming Events
WardiTV Weekly
11h 34m
PiGosaur Cup
1d
Kung Fu Cup
1d 11h
The PondCast
2 days
Online Event
3 days
Korean StarCraft League
4 days
Afreeca Starleague
4 days
Rush vs Soulkey
CranKy Ducklings
4 days
BSL Open Qualifier
4 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
5 days
[ Show More ]
IPSL
5 days
BSL Open Qualifier
5 days
WardiTV Weekly
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Acropolis #5 - GSB
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Copium Cup

Ongoing

ASL Season 22
Super Anchor Qualifying S3
Acropolis #5
HCC Season 3
ESL Pro League Season 24
Stake Ranked Episode 4
1win Private Club #1
Logitech G Play Connect 2026
SL StarSeries Fall 2026
FISSURE Playground #3
BLAST Open Fall 2026
Esports World Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026

Upcoming

Acropolis #5 - GSC
BSL Season 23
SC4ALL II: Brood War
BSL 23: Non-Korean Championship
HSC XXX
Stellar Fest 2: Lunar Cup
SC4ALL II: StarCraft II
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
RSL Offline Finals
eXTREMESLAND 2026
PGL Major Singapore 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 6
BLAST Rivals Fall 2026
IEM Beijing 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 5
PGL Masters Bucharest 2026
1win Private Club #2
Thunderpick World Champ. '26
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.