> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://max2d.gitbook.io/max2ddocumentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://max2d.gitbook.io/max2ddocumentation/getting-started.md). # Getting Started #### **Welcome to Max2D! ๐ŸŽฎ** **What is Max2D?** Imagine building your own video game, just like playing with building blocks or even better, what about just type your game idea and let us build the game for you? Max2D is a super cool app that lets you create games **without writing a single line of confusing code**. You can add heroes, monsters, and treasures, make them jump and run, and create your very own gaming world. It's like magic! โœจ #### **Let's Get Set Up! ๐Ÿš€** 1. **Download:** Ask a parent to help you download **Max2D** from the Play Store. 2. **Open:** Tap the Max2D icon to start the app. 3. **Learn:** Watch the quick intro screens to see what's possible. 4. **Guest Mode:** You'll start as a **Guest**. You can play around right away!
> **๐ŸŒŸ Pro Tip:**\ > To save your awesome games and show them to friends, tap on **Profile** and create a free Max2D account. It's safe and easy! #### **2. Your Mission Control Center ๐Ÿ•น๏ธ** Look at the bottom of the screen. You'll see **five buttons**. These are your main controls:
* ๐ŸŽฎ Game Stream : **Play our best games! Swipe up to find more.** * **๐Ÿงญ** Game place **: See all games created in Max2D.** * โž• Create : **Make a game with AI or .using manual game editor** * ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Projects : **Edit, share, or publish your games.** * ๐Ÿ‘ค Profile : **See your rewards, coins, gifts, events, profile info and other settings.** *** #### **Create your first AI Game** **Ready to make an AI game? Follow these simple steps:**
**๐ŸŽ‰ Boom! Your game is ready! Play it, edit it, publish it, or share it!**
#### **3. Professional Game Editor** **Want to create a game without AI? Follow these steps and access our professional game editor to create games.** \ \ **If you prefer video tutorials, tap this link :** 1. **Tap the Big Plus (+):** It's the button in the middle at the bottom.
2. Tap Professional Editor
3. **Name Your Game:** Give it a cool name (like "Super Space Cat"!). Write a short description about the game & Choose if you want your game to be **Portrait** (tall phone) or **Landscape** (sideways phone). Then tap **Create Project**.
#### **Boom! You're in the Game Editor. The world is yours to create! ๐ŸŒ**
#### **Inside the Game Lab (The Editor Interface) ๐Ÿงช** \ **If you prefer video tutorials, tap on this link:** [**https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pyn1ZI6XHE**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pyn1ZI6XHE)
This is where the magic happens. The screen has 4 **Key Areas**: 1. **Game Screen:** The big middle part where you see your game. 2. **Top Bar:** Important buttons like Save and Play. 3. **Left Toolbar:** Tools to move and resize things. 4. **Right Bar :** This is the brain of your game. Where your objects and their superpowers listed & where you give orders to your game (Coding!). *** #### **1. The Game Screen ๐Ÿ“บ** This is your stage! The **large white rectangle** is what players will see. * **Stay Inside the Lines:** Make sure your hero and enemies are inside the white box so players can see them. * **Zoom In/Out:** Use two fingers like you're pinching or stretching a photo to get a closer look or see the whole level. *** #### **2. The Top Bar (Command Center) ๐Ÿซก**
(Left to Right) * ๐Ÿ  **Home:** Go back to the Max2D home screen. * ๐ŸŽฌ **Scene:** Choose or switch between your game scenes. * โž• **Add:** Add images, sounds, and other things to your game. * โ†ฉ๏ธ **Undo:** Undo your last action. * โ†ช๏ธ **Redo:** Bring back an action you just undid. * ๐Ÿ•˜ **History:** View your recent changes and actions. * ๐Ÿ’พ **Save:** Save your latest changes. * โœจ **AI:** Use AI tools to help create your game. * โš™๏ธ **Settings:** Change your game or editor settings. * โ–ฆ **Grid:** Turn the game screen grid on or off. * ๐Ÿ›ˆ **Editor Info:** Learn more about the Max2D editor. * ๐Ÿ˜Š **Feedback:** Send feedback and tell us what you think. * โญ **PRO:** Open Max2D Pro features. * โ‹ฎ **More:** Open more tools and options. * โ–ถ๏ธ **Play:** Play and test your game. * ๐Ÿž **Debug:** Check your game for problems. * ๐Ÿ”— **Visual Scripting:** Create game logic using visual blocks. *** #### **3. The Left Toolbar (Toolbox) ๐Ÿงฐ**
* โœ‹ **Hand Tool:** Drag the screen around to look at different parts. * โœฅ **Move Tool:** Drag objects to where you want them. * ๐Ÿ“ **Scale Tool:** Make objects bigger or smaller. * ๐Ÿ”„ **Rotate Tool:** Spin objects around. * ๐Ÿ“‹ **Duplicate Tool:** Make a copy of the selected object. * โŒ **Delete Tool:** Remove the selected object. *** #### **4. Right Bar (Control Center** ๐ŸŽ›๏ธ)
It has mainly 3 sections:
1. Objects Panel 2. Properties Panel 3. Script panel ### Obejects Panel This is where you list all your game objects, save it's abilities and characteristics and tell your game what to do. **Scene Settings:** Special Section items at the top * **Scene Camera:** Change camera position( your view), zoom and the background color here! * **Global Variables:** Scorekeepers and memory for your game. * **Sounds:** Music and sound effects manager. * **UI Components:** Manage user interface elements such as Joystick and Banner Ads * **Scene Appearance**: Set the sceneโ€™s background color and create parallax layers for depth and visual richness. **Scene Objects (Hierarchy) :** It lists everything in your game. * Search bar to filter objects * Draggable, reorderable list of all game objects * Folder grouping (collapse/expand groups of objects) ### Properties Panel( Inspector) The Inspector is where you configure every game object. Select an object and all its components appear here - position, image, physics, scripts, and more. This is where you bring your objects to life. Let's see what are the components inside Properties #### Game Object Basics **Game Object**\ This is your main object. You can rename it, control if it is visible, and organize it using tags. **Transform**\ This controls where your object is placed, how big it is, and how it rotates in the game world. #### Add Component Tap **Add Component** to give your object new abilities and make it more powerful. #### Visual Components **Sprite**\ Show an image on your object, this is how your object looks in the game. **Sprite Animation**\ Make your object move by playing images like a flipbook animation. **Text**\ Display words on the screen with your own style and font. **Life Bar**\ Show health or progress, like a playerโ€™s life or loading bar. **Parallax Background**\ Create a cool moving background with layers that scroll at different speeds. #### Physics Components **Rigid Body**\ Give your object gravity and make it move like in real life. **Box Collider**\ Add a rectangular collision shape so objects can bump into each other. **Circle Collider**\ Add a round collision shape for smoother interactions. **Triangle Collider**\ Use triangle shapes, perfect for slopes and ramps. **Polygon Collider**\ Create custom shapes for collisions, from triangles up to complex shapes. **Capsule Collider**\ A rounded shape, great for characters so they donโ€™t get stuck easily. #### Joints **Revolute Joint**\ Connect two objects like a hinge so they can rotate together. **Wheel Joint**\ Perfect for vehicles, adds suspension and smooth wheel movement. #### Logic **Script**\ Add your game logic using visual scripting and control how things behave. #### Utility **Y Sort**\ Automatically arrange objects based on their vertical position, so closer objects appear in front. It also included Scene Camera which is for Change what the player sees, move the camera, zoom in or out, and set the background color. ### Quick Start 1. Add a Sprite object from the Layers panel. 2. Select it - the Inspector opens automatically. 3. Tap + Add Component โ†’ Sprite โ†’ pick an image. 4. Add a Rigidbody to give it gravity. 5. Add a Box Collider so other objects can hit it. ### ### Script Panel
This is where you tell your game **what to do**. But don't worry, you don't need to type! You use **Blocks** like puzzle pieces.
* **Events (Green) (11 Blocks):** When should something happen? (e.g., "When Game Starts") * **Actions (Blue) ( 40 Blocks):** What should happen? (e.g., "Move Right") * **Controls (Orange) (8 Blocks):** Logic (e.g., "If score is 10, then Win!") * **Custom Blocks:** Create your own block for special actions! There are also **Variables** (Data Boxes): 1. **Number:** For scores or health (1, 2, 100). 2. **Text:** For names or messages ("Hello!"). 3. **Boolean:** A switch (True/On or False/Off). 4. **List:** A collection of things. *** #### **Helpful Tips for Young Creators ๐Ÿ’ก** * **Start Small:** Make a simple game first, like a ball bouncing. Then add more! * **Experiment:** Try different buttons to see what they do. You can't break anything! * **Ask for Help:** If you get stuck, look at the **Tutorials** on the Home screen or ask a friend. * **Have Fun:** The most important rule is to have fun creating your world! **Ready? Set. CREATE! ๐ŸŽจ**