Python GUIsīuilding a GUI in Python nowadays gives you a lot of options (quite against Python’s “one way to do it” mantra, but GUIs have never been Python’s strong point).

Most of the concepts work similarly in Python 2, but, publishing this in late 2018, I hope that’s a moot point. Like most of the code I write nowadays, all that follows is written in Python 3.

I’ll bird’s-eye-review Python GUIs in general first and get into the specifics of the hex viewer / editor later on feel free to skip to Designing & implementing the hex viewer / editor if you’re familiar with PySide2. Needing one for a binary analysis tool I’m working on, I went through the hoops and decided to document the trickier parts of the process.

Hexagonal Tilemaps added in 2018.Unlike most other kinds of widgets (which can be found ready-made on the web), hex viewers seem to be in short supply.

Hexagon Type must match the orientation of the hexagonal Tiles

When creating the Tile Palette for a Hexagonal Tilemap, set the Grid setting of the Tile Palette to Hexagon and select the Hexagon Type that matches the Tilemap and Tiles you are using, as shown below. Example of hexagonal Tiles oriented with points facing top Example of hexagonal Tiles oriented with flat sides facing top The following are examples of a Hexagonal Point Top Tilemap and a Hexagonal Flat Top Tilemap. Select the Hexagonal Tilemap option that matches the orientation of the hexagonal Tiles you are using. Hexagonal Tilemap options in the 2D Object menu To create a Hexagonal Tilemap, follow the same steps to create a regular Tilemap (menu: GameObject > 2D Object) but choose one of the Hexagonal options in the 2D Object A 2D GameObject such as a tilemap or sprite. This makes them ideal for constructing almost any kind of large play area and allows players to make tactical decisions regarding movement and positioning. Hexagonal tiles are often used in strategic tabletop games, because they have consistent distance between their centres and any point on their edge, and neighboring tiles always share edges. More info See in Glossary, Unity provides both Hexagonal Point Top and Hexagonal Flat Top Tilemaps.

In addition to regular Tilemaps A GameObject that allows you to quickly create 2D levels using tiles and a grid overlay.

Hex grid editor