I updated Tiamat today. The changes are relatively small for the UI, but I had a few backend issues to address as well. I added auto save and a "select tile after placement" options. Both are managed through a settings windows.

The "select tile after placement" option is straightforward. The auto save feature will save your currently opened map periodically to a map called AUTO SAVE.

I wanted to make an adjustable tile palette size, but it proved to problematic for a number of reasons. So I moving on to other items and will revisit it later (i.e. multi tile selection).

Tiamat was updated again today (I'm going to start numbering these updates, and this is the 10th since alpha). This update deals mostly on tile selection.

First, I changed the default action when you select a tile on the map and then click on the map from copying it to moving the selected tile.

Also, rather than having a right click context menu for rotating tiles, I create a transparent toolbar with 4 icons that overlay the tile. There's a right and left rotate icons as well as cut and copy icons. This allows you to cut/copy tiles to the clipboard and then click on the map to paste that tile (repeatably if you want to c/p more then one).

I'm working on allowing you to select more than one tile and c/p them.

I updated Tiamat. Other than some minor stuff most people won't notice, the two big items are:

Bigger Tile Palette: Now the tile palette is 2 rows instead of 1. I will make this adjustable soon so you can have as many rows as you want.

Fill Tiles: I created a selection of FREE tiles you can use to fill open spaces that are smaller than a traditional tile size (6x6). Depending on the tile, they will be 1x1, 2x2, 3x3, and 4x4 sized tiles that can be used for filling.

I created 2 new Tiamat Video Tutorials, both related to managing your tiles purchased from outside of Tiamat (most likely rpgnow).

Tiamat Beta has launched. You can now export maps (miniature and adventure scale). It remains in beta until I get the user interface perfected. I've gotten a ton of great requests and I'll implementing those as fast as I can. Over the next few days and weeks I'll be posting some more video tutorials.

e-Adventure Tile Mapper users should have $10 on their account. If you don't, let me know and I'll fix it. You can add more to your account using the rpgobjects.com store (paypal checkout) and rpgnow.com. I'll be adding Amazon and Google checkout options to our storefront soon.

If you purchased SkeletonKey Tiles from RPGNow.com, make sure they are added to your library so you don't get charged for them. That will be my first video.

I pushed a fairly big update to Tiamat today. 95% of what I want done for Beta is complete. If you login to Tiamat, many of the changes won't be initially apparent or accessible. Many features are disabled (basically anything that would cost money). Those elements will be enabled when I officially go into Beta with the next update (which should come soon).

But don't fret, there are still some new things to do. Other than bug fixes and UI tweaks, you can now export a Thumbnail Map. A Thumbnail map is a small map (10 dps) at a low resolution (72 dpi) for use on websites. These types of maps can be exported for FREE. Paid maps (adventure or miniature scale) will be exported in the same way.

So play with the new update and let me know what you think. Beta coming as soon as I finish up a few technical and non technical issues.

With the Tiamat Beta on the horizon, Skeletonkey Games has been working on some post-apocalyptic tile sets (due to prodding from me). Here's a sneak peak at one set, currently tilted Apocalypse Road:

Tile Image Copright SkeletonKey Games

I'm super excited to finally announce what I've been working on the last few months. It's call Tiamat, short for Tiamat the Tile Mapper. It's a totally new version of the e-Adventure Tile Mapper . Actually, it's not just a new version but rather a completely re-envisioning of the original tile mapper. It's totally rebuilt from the ground up. So what's so new about it?

Well first, its going to have a new and improved interface (see quick look video), and second, its going to have many new and improved features (such as being able to export a high resolution Miniature scale maps), but most important is a new payment model. You see, Tiamat is going to be FREE to use. Anyone can login and make maps. Make as many as you want. You'll only have to pay for the maps you want exported for gaming.

In addition to being a map maker, it's also a Map Tile store. And you only have to buy the Tiles you want. No need to buy a full tile set. Just make a map from the nearly 3000 tiles created by Skeleton Keys and just pay for the Tiles you use. Once you buy a tile its yours and you can download the PDF for it anytime. Or make new maps using it and they will be cheaper.

Here's some of the new feature and future plans for the tile mapper.

• New Tile Browser that is independent of what tile sets they are from.
• Export maps at miniature scale (high resolution). Just print and play!
• Personal Tile Library. Just buy the tiles you want!
• Map sharing. Share a map with others.

Future Plans - Mobile interfaces for iPhone and Android users. - Export maps for online gaming tables. - Buy color prints of your maps to be mailed to you.

I'm not 100% done yet, but I'm close to letting people start playing it. In the next week or so, I'm going to let owners of the e-Adventure Tile Mapper have access to make maps (but not export them yet) and get some feedback. Then I'll add the ability to export maps and open it up to the public.

Also, people who purchased the e-Adventure Tile Mapper with received $10 in credit for use in Tiamat. Also, I'm putting the e-Adventure Tile Mapper on sale for $10 starting today. So if you want to participate in the alpha and beta testing, you can, and you'll also get the $10 in credit.