01 / Tactical geomorphs
Advanced Squad Leader
Blank Standard and Fort board templates with predefined dimensions, hex layout, geomorphic structure, numbering, and relevant map tools.
Explore ASL-compatible templatesPurpose-built for wargame map design
Design precise hex maps without mastering Illustrator.
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 drawing tools do not understand wargame maps.
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.
Blank templates or a custom format
Choose your starting point
Start immediately with a preconfigured blank map template, or create a completely new map format from scratch.
02 / Tactical battlefield
GMT Games’ Panzer Series
A preconfigured blank tactical map template with appropriate board dimensions, hex layout, numbering, and tools for creating original maps suitable for the Panzer series.
Explore the Panzer map template
03 / Historical battlefield
GMT Games’ GBACW Series
A preconfigured blank historical battlefield template with suitable dimensions, hex layout, numbering, terrain tools, and elevation tools for creating original GBACW-compatible maps.
Explore the GBACW map template
04 / Operational scale
Operational Wargame Map
A general-purpose template for original operational wargame maps with large terrain regions, rivers, road networks, cities, and flexible labels.
Explore the operational map template
05 / Modern tactical geomorphs
GDW Assault
A preconfigured blank geomorphic tactical map template with the corresponding grid, map edges, numbering, and terrain configuration.
Explore the GDW Assault templateHexDraw 2 is an independent product and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or approved by the publishers or rights holders of the games and series referenced above. Product and series names are used solely to describe compatible map formats and possible applications.
Core map-building tools
From terrain and roads to labels, overlays, and printable output.
Eight focused toolsets cover the geometry, artwork, information, and output a wargame map needs.
01 / Grid
Build the right hex grid
Choose a preconfigured map template from the New Map dialog, or define the complete board format yourself.
- Preconfigured templates or a completely custom grid
- Ordinary maps and geomorph configurations
- Physical hex dimensions, board size, and grid pitch
- Flat-top or pointy-top layouts with configurable numbering
02 / Terrain
Paint terrain and elevation
Create connected terrain shapes while keeping their contours available for detailed editing.
- Color or texture fills and a 7-hex brush
- Terrain holes and editable contour points
- Custom positive hill and negative valley levels
- Sharp, covered, or softly faded elevation edges
03 / Features
Draw wargame-specific features
Use dedicated geometry for the lines and hex edges that carry gameplay information.
- Roads, narrow streets, rails, sleepers, and ballast
- Hexsides, boundaries, gullies, and slopes
- Sunken and elevated road underlays
- Editable control points across supported geometry
- Urban strips that follow regular and Vector Paint roads while keeping the roadway clear
Urban strips that follow the road
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
Draw long map features in just a few clicks.
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.
- Freehand vector painting
- Long continuous lines with only a few clicks
- Adjustable round or square brushes
- Terrain cut-out brush
- Individually selectable and editable elements
05 / Artwork
Work with custom artwork
Combine map geometry with reusable art without scattering source files across folders.
- Reference maps positioned beneath the board
- Underlays, overlays, and top-layers
- Custom PNG, SVG, texture, and marker assets
- Transform, mirror, order, and depth-sort graphics
06 / Information
Add labels and map-edge information
Keep names, scenario cues, and offboard information in the same editable map.
- Curved and rotated labels with reusable styles
- Offboard areas and entry information
- Map edges and locally hidden grid cells
- Boundaries and information for operational maps
07 / Output
Prepare maps for print and digital use
Check physical output early, then produce files for the table or a digital workflow.
- PNG output and print preview
- Tiled A4 and Letter PDF output
- Custom physical board dimensions
- VASL board packages without LOS data
08 / Markers
Create reusable map markers
Define marker styles once, then place consistent symbols and scenario information across the map.
- Built-in geometric marker shapes
- Custom SVG marker artwork
- Reusable marker types and editable contents
- Adjustable size, rotation, fill, text, and borders
Development Preview
Maps and experiments created while building HexDraw 2.
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
Built as a real desktop mapping tool.
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
The HexDraw 2 demo is available now.
The free HexDraw 2 Demo is now available from the Microsoft Store.
Create and edit maps of up to 13 × 13 hexes and explore the HexDraw 2 map-design workflow before purchasing the full version. Export functions are disabled, and the demo includes a smaller selection of artwork than the full version.
Clicking the badge opens the Microsoft Store app. Your browser may ask for permission first — choose Open Link.
Occasional updates
Get HexDraw 2 updates.
Receive occasional HexDraw 2 development updates, release notes, and information about the full version.
FAQ
Practical questions about HexDraw 2.
Is HexDraw 2 an online service?
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.
What hardware does HexDraw 2 require?
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 includes detailed sample maps that can be used to check how HexDraw 2 performs on your own computer before purchasing the full version.
Will HexDraw 2 be available for macOS or iOS?
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.
Where will I be able to buy HexDraw 2?
The free HexDraw 2 Demo is available now through the Microsoft Store.
The full version of HexDraw 2 will also initially be released through the Microsoft Store. HexDraw 2 includes update support, and updates are delivered through Microsoft Store services.
A Steam release may be considered later, but there are currently no confirmed plans or release date for Steam.
Do HexDraw map files include custom artwork?
Yes. The .hxd2 format stores the map data and the bitmap assets used by the map in one self-contained package.
Can I import my own textures and graphics?
Yes. HexDraw 2 supports custom textures, background images, PNG and SVG overlays, marker shapes, and other reusable map artwork.
Does HexDraw 2 include building artwork for tactical games?
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.
Can I trace a historical map?
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.
Can HexDraw 2 export PDF maps?
Yes. HexDraw 2 supports printable PDF output, including tiled A4 and Letter output and custom physical board dimensions.
Can HexDraw 2 export VASL boards?
Yes. HexDraw 2 can create VASL board packages. LOS data is not included.
Can HexDraw 1 maps be opened in HexDraw 2?
No. HexDraw 1.1 uses a different legacy format and those maps must be recreated in HexDraw 2.
Is HexDraw 2 only for ASL-style maps?
No. HexDraw 2 includes preconfigured blank templates for ASL-compatible Standard and Fort boards, GMT Games’ Panzer and GBACW formats, operational wargame maps, and GDW Assault-style geomorphs. You can also create completely custom flat-top or pointy-top map formats with your own dimensions, numbering, grid pitch, and artwork.
What are the limitations of the HexDraw 2 demo?
The demo is intended to let you explore the HexDraw 2 map-building workflow before purchasing the full version.
The following limitations apply:
- Maps are limited to a maximum of 13 × 13 hexes.
- Export functions are disabled.
- The selection of included graphics and artwork is significantly smaller than in the full version.
The full version removes the 13 × 13 demo limit, enables export, and includes the complete artwork collection.
Where can I download the HexDraw 2 Demo?
The free HexDraw 2 Demo is available from the Microsoft Store.
Maps are limited to a maximum of 13 × 13 hexes, export functions are disabled, and the demo includes a smaller artwork selection than the full version.