Purpose-built for wargame map design
HexDraw 2 is a Windows desktop editor for wargame designers who need accurate, printable maps for prototypes, playtests, and publisher submissions.
Purpose-builtWargame geometry
Self-contained.hxd2 map packages
Flexible outputPNG, PDF, print, and VASL board export (no LOS data)
A specialist workflow
General-purpose graphics software can draw almost anything, but geomorph edges, physical hex dimensions, terrain levels, hexside features, numbering conventions, and board exports all have to be built by hand.
HexDraw 2 provides a map-making workflow designed around those requirements, so game designers can concentrate on terrain, scenarios, and playtesting instead of rebuilding the same technical structure in a general illustration program.
Core work areas
Seven focused toolsets cover the geometry, artwork, and output a wargame map needs.
01 / Grid
Start with the board format instead of forcing a generic canvas to behave like one.
02 / Terrain
Create connected terrain shapes while keeping their contours available for detailed editing.
03 / Features
Use dedicated geometry for the lines and hex edges that carry gameplay information.
The Urban Strip tool places buildings automatically along the course of a road—including roads created with Vector Paint. The strip follows every bend while keeping the road surface itself clear, so long villages and built-up routes can be created without positioning every building individually.
04 / Vector Paint
The new Vector Paint tool works freely across the entire map, without being restricted to individual hexes or hexsides. The long road crossing this Cloyd’s Mountain demo from top to bottom was created with only a few clicks.
Draw roads, rails, boundaries, hexsides and slopes as clean vector lines, or use adjustable brushes to paint terrain, hills and orchards. Every painted element remains separate, selectable and editable.
05 / Artwork
Combine map geometry with reusable art without scattering source files across folders.
06 / Information
Keep names, scenario cues, and offboard information in the same editable map.
07 / Output
Check physical output early, then produce files for the table or a digital workflow.
Development Preview
These examples were created while HexDraw 2’s tools were being developed and tested. They demonstrate editing features, custom artwork, and possible map styles rather than finished playable scenarios.
Product facts
Windows desktop applicationA classic local editor, not a browser service.
Offline map editingNormal map building does not require an internet connection.
Local artworkMaps and imported assets are not uploaded to private HexDraw servers.
Portable map packagesMap data and used bitmap assets stay together in .hxd2.
Undo and redoAvailable throughout the editing workflow.
Microsoft Store updatesOnline update checks communicate only with Microsoft Store services.
Demo status
HexDraw 2 is still being prepared for a public demo. Join the update list to receive release notes and an announcement when the demo becomes available.
The demo will be limited to maps of up to 13 × 13 hexes. Export functions will be disabled, and it will include a smaller selection of artwork than the full version.
The old HexDraw 1 installer is no longer offered on this site.
Occasional updates
After submitting, you will receive a confirmation email. You are not subscribed until you open the confirmation link and confirm your email address.
FAQ
No. HexDraw 2 is a Windows desktop application and normal map editing works offline. The app contacts Microsoft Store services only when checking for application updates.
Performance depends not only on the size of a map, but also on its complexity and the number of individual elements it contains. Simple maps may work well on older computers, while very detailed maps containing thousands of trees, buildings, overlays, and painted elements can become slower.
Final minimum and recommended hardware requirements will be published after further testing on a wider range of Windows PCs. The public demo will include detailed sample maps that can be used to check how HexDraw 2 performs on your own computer before purchasing the full version.
HexDraw 2 is being released for Windows first. A macOS version is technically possible, but it would require purchasing dedicated Mac hardware for development, signing, and testing. It may be considered later, but there is currently no confirmed release date.
An iOS or iPadOS version is not planned. HexDraw 2 is designed as a desktop map editor, and adapting its interface and workflow for touch devices would require substantial additional development.
HexDraw 2 will initially be available through the Microsoft Store. Unlike HexDraw 1, HexDraw 2 includes update support: the application can check for new versions, and updates are delivered through the Microsoft Store.
A Steam release may be considered later, but there are currently no confirmed plans or release date for Steam.
Yes. The .hxd2 format stores the map data and the bitmap assets used by the map in one self-contained package.
Yes. HexDraw 2 supports custom textures, background images, PNG and SVG overlays, marker shapes, and other reusable map artwork.
Yes. The current HexDraw 2 library contains more than 140 stone and wooden building graphics for tactical hex maps. The selection ranges from single-hex buildings to large multihex structures and complexes spanning four or more hexes.
Buildings can be placed, scaled, rotated, and mirrored individually. The collection is still being refined, so its exact size and final selection may change before release. The demo includes a smaller selection than the full version.
Yes. A reference image can be placed beneath the map, then positioned, scaled, rotated, and faded while terrain and features are rebuilt above it. Users remain responsible for having the necessary rights to the source material.
Yes. HexDraw 2 supports printable PDF output, including tiled A4 and Letter output and custom physical board dimensions.
Yes. HexDraw 2 can create VASL board packages. LOS data is not included.
No. HexDraw 1.1 uses a different legacy format and those maps must be recreated in HexDraw 2.
No. HexDraw 2 includes tools for ASL-style geomorphs, but it also supports ordinary maps, strategic maps, GDW Assault-style geomorphs, pointy-top grids, custom dimensions, and custom artwork.
The demo is intended to let you explore the HexDraw 2 map-building workflow before purchasing the full version.
The following limitations apply:
The full version removes the 13 × 13 demo limit, enables export, and includes the complete artwork collection.
The public demo is still in preparation. Join the update list to receive an announcement when it is ready.
