01 / Start
Choose a format
Start with a template or define your own grid and dimensions.
Purpose-built for wargame map design
Create precise, editable wargame hex maps.
Start from a prepared template or define a custom hex format, then build terrain, roads, elevations, labels, and artwork in one purpose-built Windows desktop editor.
Purpose-builtWargame geometry
Self-contained.hxd2 map packages
Free demoCreate, edit, save, and share maps up to 13 × 13 hexes
One connected map-building workflow
From a prepared grid to an editable map.
02 / Build
Shape the battlefield
Paint terrain and draw roads, rails, slopes, and boundaries.
03 / Refine
Add information and artwork
Add reusable artwork, labels, and markers.
A specialist workflow
General drawing tools do not understand wargame maps.
General-purpose graphics software can draw maps, but HexDraw 2 already understands hex grids, geomorph edges, terrain levels, numbering, and physical board dimensions.
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.
01 / Tactical geomorphs
Advanced Squad Leader
Preconfigured Standard and Fort geomorph templates with matching grid, numbering, and map tools.
Explore ASL-compatible templates
02 / Tactical battlefield
GMT Games’ Panzer Series
A blank tactical template with matching board dimensions, hex layout, numbering, and map tools.
Explore the Panzer map template
03 / Historical battlefield
GMT Games’ GBACW Series
A historical battlefield template with matching dimensions, numbering, terrain, and elevation tools.
Explore the GBACW map template
04 / Operational scale
Operational Wargame Map
A flexible template for large terrain regions, rivers, road networks, cities, and labels.
Explore the operational map template
05 / Modern tactical geomorphs
GDW Assault
A blank tactical geomorph template with matching grid, map edges, numbering, and terrain setup.
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, custom grids, and geomorphs
- 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 with adjustable brushes
- Terrain holes and editable contour points
- Positive and negative elevations with sharp, covered, or faded edges
03 / Features
Draw wargame-specific features
Use dedicated geometry for the lines and hex edges that carry gameplay information.
- Roads, narrow streets, rails, and road underlays
- Hexsides, boundaries, gullies, and slopes with editable points
- Road Village patterns for regular and Vector Paint roads
Road villages that follow the road
Place buildings along regular or Vector Paint roads while automatically keeping the roadway clear.
04 / Vector Paint
Draw long map features in just a few clicks.
Draw long roads, rails, boundaries, slopes, terrain, hills, or orchards freely across the map. Every element remains selectable and editable.
- Long continuous lines with only a few clicks
- Adjustable round or square brushes with terrain cut-out
- Individually selectable and editable elements
05 / Artwork
Trace references and add artwork
Place a permitted reference map beneath the grid, align and fade it while rebuilding terrain, then combine the result with reusable artwork.
- Multiple bitmap backgrounds positioned, scaled, and rotated beneath the board
- Alpha and side-by-side Compare controls for tracing
- Transformable underlays, overlays, top-layers, PNG, and SVG artwork
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, hidden grid cells, and operational boundaries
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 PDF output with custom physical 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 or custom SVG shapes
- Reusable marker types and editable contents
- Adjustable size, rotation, fill, text, and borders
Inside HexDraw 2
See the map and the editing controls together.
These real application screenshots show how terrain, roads, vector painting, road villages, overlays, labels, and markers remain visible and editable inside the same map-building workflow.
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.
Available now for Windows
Try the core map-building workflow free.
HexDraw 2 Demo is available from the Microsoft Store and has no time limit.
Occasional updates
Get HexDraw 2 updates.
Receive occasional HexDraw 2 product updates, release notes, and news.
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.
The free demo includes detailed sample maps and is the best way to check how HexDraw 2 performs on your own Windows PC.
Will HexDraw 2 be available for macOS or iOS?
HexDraw 2 is available for Windows. 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 can I download the HexDraw 2 Demo?
The free HexDraw 2 Demo is available through the Microsoft Store.
If your browser blocks the Store app, use the Microsoft Store web listing.
Application updates are delivered through Microsoft Store services.
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 Demo includes a selected artwork collection.
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 for learning the HexDraw 2 map-building workflow and creating small maps.
The following limitations apply:
- Maps are limited to a maximum of 13 × 13 hexes.
- Print, Print Preview, Page Setup, and export functions are unavailable.
- The Demo includes a selected artwork collection.
Maps saved by the Demo remain ordinary .hxd2 files.