# LayeredTileMap
### Introduction
The LayeredTileMap object is the runtime type for the TMX file format (the native file format for Tiled). Whenever a TMX file is added to FlatRedBall, it will (by default) be loaded into a LayeredTileMap at runtime. The LayeredTileMap represents a collection of [MapDrawableBatches](https://github.com/flatredball/FlatRedBallDocs/blob/main/frb/docs/index.php). It contains one [MapDrawableBatch](https://github.com/flatredball/FlatRedBallDocs/blob/main/frb/docs/index.php) per layer in the source TMX file. The LayeredTileMap class inherits from [FlatRedBall.PositionedObject](https://github.com/flatredball/FlatRedBallDocs/blob/main/frb/docs/index.php) so it can be moved and attached to other [PositionedObjects](https://github.com/flatredball/FlatRedBallDocs/blob/main/frb/docs/index.php). Each MapDrawableBatch is attached to its parent LayeredTileMap, and can be moved independently by changing its [RelativePosition](https://github.com/flatredball/FlatRedBallDocs/blob/main/frb/docs/index.php).
### Common Usage
The easiest way to use a TMX file is to create a standard GameScreen and Level. This can be accomplished using one of the following methods:
1. Run the Wizard when creating a new project - this will automatically add TMX files to your project.
 Existing (empty) projects can also run the wizard through the Quick Actions tab.
2. Create a GameScreen and Level screens and check the options for creating TMX files. 
### Manually Adding a MapDrawableBatch From TMX to a Screen
If you are not using the GameScreen/Level pattern, you can add your own TMX files to Screens manually. To add a LayeredTileMap from an existing TMX:
1. Create a TMX file in Tiled
2. Save the TMX file in a location relative to your game's content folder. Be sure that all PNG files and TSX files (tileset files) are also relative to the game content folder
3. Create a game screen
4. Drag+drop the TMX file into your Screen's **Files** folder
No additional code is necessary - your map will now show up in the screen.
### Creating Entities From a TMX
If using the GameScreen/Level pattern, FlatRedBall will automatically set up a Map object which can be used to create entities. If you are creating your own map object manually and you would like to create entities from this map, a small amount of extra work is needed.
#### Creating a Map object for Entity Creation in Glue
Once you have a TMX file in your screen's Files folder, you can create a Map object by drag+dropping the TMX onto the Screen's Objects folder.
Once the Map object has been created, its **Create Entities From Tiles** property can be checked.
### LayeredTileMap as a list of MapDrawableBatches
The LayeredTileMap is mostly a List of MapDrawableBatches. For example, you can print out information about a MapDrawableBatch as follows:
```
string information = "This map has " + TestLevel.MapLayers.Count + " layers\n";
foreach (var layer in TestLevel.MapLayers)
{
information += "Number of verts: " + layer.Vertices.Length + "\n";
}
```
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