/godot-tilemap-mastery

Runtime TileMapLayer patterns

Basic cell API

set_cell(Vector2i(0, 0), source_id, atlas_coords)
var atlas_coords := get_cell_atlas_coords(Vector2i(0, 0))
erase_cell(Vector2i(0, 0))

Always local_to_map(global_pos) — never pass world coords directly.

Flood fill

BFS over neighbors; compare get_cell_atlas_coords before writing.

Terrain connect

set_cells_terrain_connect([Vector2i(x, y)], terrain_set, terrain, false)

Prefer over per-cell set_cell for organic shapes.

Multi-layer scene tree

Ground / decoration / collision as sibling TileMapLayer nodes with distinct z_index and physics layers.

Custom data reads

func get_tile_damage(tile_pos: Vector2i) -> int:
    var tile_data := get_cell_tile_data(tile_pos)
    if tile_data:
        return tile_data.get_custom_data("damage_per_second")
    return 0

Cache hot reads — fast_metadata_cache.gd.

Destructible / highlight

See destructible_tile_logic.gd. After erase: refresh nav (nav_mesh_teleport_fix.gd).

Chunking

CHUNK_SIZE grids as child TileMapLayers; load/unload by player chunk — tilemap_chunking.gd.