Import and Export Mini Sets
Foxel lets you move Mini libraries in and out in different ways.
You can import files as new Mini Sets, add imported content to an existing set, or export either whole Mini Sets or only selected Minis.
Why This Matters
Mini libraries become more useful when you can move them between projects, build them from external files, and export only the content you actually need.
This makes import and export useful for:
- Building reusable Mini libraries.
- Sharing Mini Sets.
- Creating Minis from images.
- Creating Minis from Heightmaps.
- Exporting only selected Minis.
- Moving reusable detail between workflows.
Importing Mini Sets
Mini data can be imported either as new Mini Sets or as new Minis added to an existing Mini Set.
To import one or more files as new Mini Sets:
- Open the Minis page.
- Use the Import command for Mini Sets.
- Select the files you want to import.
- Confirm the import.
Each successfully imported file creates a new Mini Set.
Use this when each imported file should become its own reusable Mini library.
Importing Into an Existing Mini Set
To import files into the currently open Mini Set:
- Open the Mini Editor.
- Click Import.
- Select the files you want to import.
- Confirm the import.
The imported data is converted into new Minis and added to the current Mini Set.
Use this when you want to extend an existing Mini library instead of creating a separate Mini Set.
Importing Images
You can import an image to generate a full Mini Set or a group of Minis automatically.
Foxel divides the image into square cells and converts each non-empty cell into a Mini.
Supported Image Sizes
The image width must be one of these sizes:
- 128 px
- 256 px
- 512 px
Foxel always divides the image into 16 columns.
That means the source cell size becomes:
| Image Width | Source Cell Size |
|---|---|
| 512 px | 32 × 32 |
| 256 px | 16 × 16 |
| 128 px | 8 × 8 |
The image height must match the cell size multiplied by 1 to 16 rows.
A maximum of 256 Minis can be generated from a single image.
If imported cells are smaller than 32 × 32, they are centered inside the resulting Mini.
Image Import Behavior
Because each Mini Set has its own Color Palette and Material Set, imported image colors are mapped to the palette of the target Mini Set.
Standard images do not contain material or height data.
That means image-based Minis:
- Use the Default Material.
- Are created without height information.
- Store color data only.
Use image import when you want to create flat Mini content from a grid-based image source.
Importing Heightmaps
You can also import Heightmap assets to generate Minis.
Because Heightmaps can be up to 256 × 256 pixels and each Mini is 32 × 32, a single Heightmap can generate up to 64 Minis.
Supported Heightmap sizes are:
| Heightmap Size | Generated Minis |
|---|---|
| 256 × 256 | 64 Minis |
| 128 × 128 | 16 Minis |
| 64 × 64 | 4 Minis |
| 32 × 32 | 1 Mini |
When importing a Heightmap, its colors and materials are remapped to the target Mini Set.
Unlike regular images, Heightmaps also contain height information, so the generated Minis preserve height data where possible.
Mini heights are limited to a maximum value of 32.
Exporting Mini Sets
Whole Mini Sets are exported from the Minis page.
To export Mini Sets:
- Open the Minis page.
- Select the Mini Set or Mini Sets you want to export.
- Right-click the selection.
- Choose Export.
If one Mini Set is exported, Foxel asks for a filename and export format.
If multiple Mini Sets are exported, Foxel asks for a destination folder.
Use this when you want to move or share entire Mini libraries.
Exporting Selected Minis
Individual Minis are exported from the Mini Editor.
To export selected Minis:
- Open the Mini Editor.
- Select the Minis you want to export.
- Right-click the selection.
- Choose Export Selected.
- Enter a filename and choose an export format.
All selected Minis are exported into a single file.
Use this when you only need part of a Mini Set instead of the whole library.
Export Formats
The same export formats are available for whole Mini Sets and selected Minis.
Export as Images
When exported as an image, the result is always a 512 × 512 image arranged as a grid of 16 × 16 Mini slots.
Standard image formats store only color information.
Height and material data are not included.
Use image export when the target workflow only needs the visible color result.
Export as Heightmap Assets
Minis can also be exported as a Heightmap asset.
In this format, the result is a 256 × 256 Heightmap containing up to 64 Minis, because each Mini has a fixed size of 32 × 32 pixels.
If more than 64 Minis are exported, only the first 64 are included.
Each exported Mini becomes a separate Pixel Layer in the generated Heightmap asset.
Use Heightmap export when height data should be preserved.
What To Remember
- Whole Mini Sets are imported and exported from the Minis page.
- Individual Minis are imported into or exported from the Mini Editor.
- Images can generate Minis automatically from grid cells.
- Image-based Minis do not contain height data.
- Image-based Minis use the Default Material.
- Heightmap imports can preserve height information.
- Imported colors and materials are remapped to the target Mini Set.
- Exported image files contain color only.
- Exported Heightmaps can include Mini height data.
- Exported Heightmaps include up to 64 Minis.