Minis Are Not Just 2D
A Mini in Foxel is not just a flat image.
It is a compact 2D heightmap that stores color, material, and height information.
Why This Matters
It is easy to assume that Minis are just flat 2D patterns.
That is not quite right. Foxel uses Minis as compact reusable detail data that includes more than visible color.
This makes them useful for reusable surface detail, not just image-like decoration.
What A Mini Is
A Mini is a compact 2D heightmap that stores:
- Color
- Material
- Height
Although Minis are edited as flat images, their stored height values allow them to be applied as 3D surface detail in voxel assets.
That means a Mini can represent raised, lowered, or relief-like detail instead of only flat color.
Core Mini Limits
Minis use a fixed format:
- 32 × 32 pixels
- Maximum height of 32
These limits make Minis compact, reusable, and predictable.
Because the format is fixed, Mini libraries stay manageable and easy to reuse.
Why Minis Are Useful
Minis are useful for building reusable libraries of small details.
Examples include:
- Relief-like details
- Architectural features
- Decorative elements
- Repeating patterns
- Surface accents
- Panel details
- Small carved or raised forms
Because they are reusable, Minis are a good fit for detail that appears many times across different assets and projects.
Shared Colors And Materials
All Minis in a Mini Set share the set’s Color Palette and Material Set.
When a Mini is used in an asset, its colors and materials are remapped to the target asset.
That means the same Mini can still be reused in assets with different palette and material setups.
This makes Minis more flexible than simple copied pixel data.
How Minis Are Used
Foxel supports three main Mini workflows:
- Stamping
- Placing
- Projecting
These workflows let Minis act as reusable detail tools rather than just stored images.
Stamping
Stamping applies Mini data as reusable detail.
Use it when you want to add a Mini directly as part of a surface-detail workflow.
Placing
Placing uses Minis as reusable elements that can be positioned where needed.
Use it when the Mini should be added deliberately to a specific area.
Projecting
Projecting applies Mini data from a direction or surface relationship.
Use it when the Mini should be projected onto voxel content.
The Important Mental Model
A good way to think about a Mini is:
- It is edited in 2D.
- It is not limited to flat color.
- It stores height and material data too.
- It behaves more like reusable surface-detail data than like a simple sticker.
That distinction is the key to understanding why Minis are useful in Foxel.
What To Remember
- A Mini is a compact 2D heightmap.
- It stores color, material, and height.
- Minis are fixed at 32 × 32 pixels.
- Mini height is limited to 32.
- Minis are useful for reusable surface detail.
- All Minis in a Mini Set share the set’s Color Palette and Material Set.
- Mini colors and materials are remapped when used in a target asset.
- Minis are used by stamping, placing, and projecting.