EBME - pk-hack/CoilSnake GitHub Wiki

EarthBound Map Editor

EBME is the new map editor with all sorts of stuff that makes it worth using over the old one. You can grab the latest release here - download ebme.exe if you're on Windows, or download ebme.bin if you're on Linux (If you're advanced enough to be using Linux, I recommend using the program from source instead anyway).

If Windows bugs you about it being a virus, do the same as you did with CoilSnake to get past: Right click -> Properties -> Unblock.

Navigating EBME

When you open EBME, you'll be welcomed by the Project screen. Here are the various parts of the interface:

1. Menu bar - Like many programs, you can find settings, tools, and help up here. In EBME, the contents of the menu bar will change depending on the editing screen. On the Project screen, there isn't a lot to do, so you only have File and Help.

2. Editor tabs - You can access different editing screens by changing tabs here. However, until you load a project, the others will be greyed out. Also, if you're ever tired of map editing, go to the coffee tab to take a break.

3. Data management - You can open, save, and reload your projects here. To get started, choose "Open" and navigate to a CoilSnake project folder.

4. Recent projects - Up to 32 projects you edited recently will show up here. Double-click to open them.

5. Project information - After you've loaded a project, you can edit its metadata here to add a title, author, and description. This data is not included in your hack, but is useful to stay organised and good for if you share your project. Additionally, below the editing boxes you can find information on what CoilSnake version the project is for, and where it can be found on your computer.

6. Changelog - Version history of EBME. You can also check for updates by pressing the button. You should read the changelog after updating to see what's new.

When you're ready to start editing, press "Open" and choose your CoilSnake project's folder. The other tabs will become available to you. You can use the wiki's sidebar to check out the pages on each of these.

Essential Shortcuts

Handy things you can do to be faster and more efficient:

• CTRL + Left-click — Pick / Add selection
  • Pick a tile on the map within its tileset.
  • Add an NPC or trigger to the current selection
  • Go from a tile in the sidebar to the Tile Editor
  • Pick collision, minitile, or colour in the Tile Editor
  • Tip: This is an incredibly versatile shortcut!
• SHIFT + Drag or Middle-click drag — Pan map
• Right-click (in some modes) — Open context menu (also changes if things are selected!)
• F1 through F10 - Change mode in the Map Editor
• CTRL + S — Save Project
• CTRL + O — Open Project
• CTRL + R — Reload Project
• CTRL + Right-click — Select multiple sectors (Left-click when in Sector mode)
• Double right-click — Select contiguous sectors (Left-click when in Sector mode)
• CTRL + C — Copy
  • Some objects have multiple copy shortcuts depending on what data you want copied
• CTRL + V — Paste
• CTRL + Z — Undo
• CTRL + Y or CTRL + SHIFT + Z — Redo
• CTRL + +/- or CTRL + Mouse wheel — Zoom In/Out (can be configued to use just the mouse wheel without CTRL)
• CTRL + H — Toggle hexadecimal mode
• CTRL + G — Toggle grid (You can change grid styles in the View menu.)
• CTRL + T — Toggle Tile IDs
• CTRL + N — Toggle NPC IDs
• CTRL + F — Search for objects by IDs
• CTRL + Shift + G — Navigate to specific coordinates
• Esc — Cancel / Deselect
• Del — Delete selection

Use them wisely!