The interface of the Scenario Editors has remained largely unchanged in the Definitive Edition of Age of Empires III when compared to the original game.
When the Scenario Editor is first opened, there is an empty map that will always be loaded.
Viewport - this is the main view of the map.
Toolbar - this is the main interface for any action to be made within the editor. Many of the primary tools also have hotkeys so they can be quickly accessed.
Minimap - this shows the camera’s view in relation to the map.
AI Start objects - 7 of these are placed by default as the scenario will be initially set for 7 AI and 1 Human player.
Drop-Down Menus
Menu Item
Description
File
Options for general functions such as New, Open, Save/Load.
Edit
Contains generic editor functions: Undo/Redo, Copy, Paste as well as Grouping functions.
Scenario
Contains options for all the data of the scenario such as Player Data, Scenario Data, Objectives etc. The Scenario can also be tested from this menu.
World
Contains overview options of the world (map) including Lighting and Map Size.
Terrain
Tools for editing map geometry, water and forests. Also contains texture painting tools.
Objects
Contains Object editing tools, Trade Route and Treasure editing tools.
Triggers
Contains Trigger Editor, Grouping Editor and Army Editor.
Cinematics
Camera Editor and Toggle for Letterbox view.
View
Camera settings, grid and other viewport options.
DEVELOPER
Special developer tools.
File
Menu Item
Function
New
Create new scenario (optionally from an existing map seed).
Load Scenario
Load previously saved scenarios files.
Screen Shot
Open Screenshot Menu to take a screenshot.
Return to Main Menu
Exit the Scenario Editor and return to Main Menu.
Exit to Windows
Exit the application.
Recent Files (3)
Displays 3 recently loaded scenarios.
Edit
Menu Item
Function
Undo
Undo the last action.
Redo
Redo the last action to be affected by undo.
Unit Copy
Copy the selected unit.
Unit Paste
Paste the previously copied unit.
Define Grouping
Create user-made grouping.
Load built-in grouping
Load pre-existing asset groupings, such as Native Settlements sockets for Trade Posts.
Load user-made grouping
Load user-made asset groupings.
Scenario
Menu Item
Function
Player Data
Set data for all players in the scenario: Team Colour, Civilization, Name, Starting Resources, XP, Team, Human/AI Control etc.
Fake Player Data
Unfortunately, some functionality of this feature no longer works in DE.
Scenario Data
Edit number of players and toggle Reveal Ocean Water.
Scenario Summary
View Scenario Summary.
Playtest Scenario
Runs the scenario as if loaded from a Skirmish or Multiplayer lobby.
Objectives
Opens Objectives Editor: Set Primary and Secondary Objectives & their properties.
Mercenary Editor
Opens Mercenary Editor: add or remove available Mercenary units within the scenario.
Treaty Manager
Set Treaty period time and which players it affects.
Native Settlement
Toggle Native Civilizations on/off within the scenario (allows Native Settlements to be set to specified civs).
Forbidden Units/Techs
Add or remove units, techs & objects from the scenario.
Home City Editor
Unfortunately, some functionality of this feature no longer works in DE. Existing Home Cities can still be edited outside of the editor and used in place.
World
Menu Item
Function
Lighting
Open the World Lighting window to set the lighting.
Map Size
Adjust the size of the map and view current size.
Map Elevation
Adjust the entire map’s elevation and view current elevation.
Map Types
Enable/Disable Map types.
Terrain
Menu Item
Function
Paint Terrain
Open Paint Terrain Menu and Terrain selection to paint terrain.
Paint Land
Open Paint Land Menu and Terrain selection to paint land.
River Tool
Open River Tool and Water selection to create flowing rivers.
Shallow Tool
Open Shallow Tool to paint shallows.
Water Tool
Open Water Tool and Water selection to paint water (lakes and oceans).
Edit River Flow Tool
Enable river flow adjustment handles for any previously placed rivers.
Forest Tool
Open Forest Tool and Forest selection to paint forests (groups of trees).
Edit Terrain Details
Open Terrain Details menu to adjust terrain colour and application options.
Edit Forest Tool
Open Edit Forest too to adjust previously placed forests.
Brush Settings
Open Brush settings to adjust brush shape, size and other options.
Objects
Menu Item
Function
Place Object
Open Place Objects and Objects selection. This is the main tool for placing most individual assets, and associating them to .
Position Object
Adjust placement and rotation of any previously placed objects.
Delete Objects
Deletes all selected objects.
Object Info
Displays information about the selected unit.
Replace Unit
Change a selected unit to a different unit.
Place Wall
Allows walls to be placed as the current player. Set the player in the Objects Menu.
Convert Gate
Converts selected wall segments to gates.
Place Trade Route
Opens Trade Route Tool. Allows Trade Route paths to be placed, adjusted or removed.
Place Home City Gather Point
Set Home City gather point for selected player.
Place Home City Water Spawnpoint
Set Home City water spawnpoint for HC naval units to arrive at.
Ignore Placement Restrictions
Toggle to ignore placement restrictions when placing assets.
Herd Editor
Opens Herd Editor. Allows herds to be created, selected or deleted.
Treasure Editor
Opens Treasure Editor. Adjust selected treasures or replace them. Note: Treasure objects must first be placed.
Triggers
Menu Item
Function
Triggers
Opens Trigger Editor. Create Triggers, set their Conditions and Effects.
Group Editor
Opens Group Editor. Create new Trigger Groups. Allows existing Triggers to be set to Groups.
Army Editor
Opens Army Editor. Allows units to be grouped into armies that can be referenced from trigger effects or conditions.
Cinematics
Menu Item
Function
Camera Editor
Opens Camera Track Editor. Allows Camera Tracks to be created and adjusted.
Toggle Letterbox Bars
Toggles the Letterbox aspect rulers. Allows visualization of the “Letterbox” style black bars.
View
Menu Item
Function
Camera Lock
Camera Lock Toggle.
Set Camera Start Location
Defines the starting camera location for the scenario.
Show Camera Start Location
Sets the viewport to show the Camera Start location.
Delete Camera Start Location
Removes previously set Camera Start location.
Terrain Grid
Toggle Terrain Grid display.
Terrain Grid Major Tick…
Toggle for large Terrain Grid display. This cannot be disabled. Use Terrain Grid Toggle to hide.
Terrain Grid Minor Tick…
Toggle for small Terrain Grid display.
Non-Scenario Objects
Toggle display of non-scenario objects such as AI Starts.
LOS Rings
Unfortunately, some or all functionality of this feature no longer works in DE.
Hide Unit Outlines
Toggle obscured unit alpha display.
Toggle Range Rings
Unfortunately, some or all functionality of this feature no longer works in DE.
Toggle Mini Map
Toggles the minimap display on/off.
Toggle Fog of War
Toggle fog of war (explored areas that are not within unit or building LOS).
Toggle Blackmap
Toggles blackmap (completely darkened areas of the map).
Have additional questions about modding? You can ask questions and talk with other mod creators in the following places: