ChatMapper Desktop reference
ChatMapper Desktop is the original Windows application for writing and testing branching dialogue. Version 1.9 (May 2015) is the current and final release. It is still downloadable and still opens every project ChatMapper Cloud exports, so a team can keep Desktop users and Cloud users on the same files.
This section is a compact, current rewrite of the Desktop help. If you are new to ChatMapper, start with the web editor instead — it needs no installation and covers everything here. Desktop users moving to the web should read Migrating from ChatMapper Desktop.
| Page | Covers |
|---|---|
| Interface and assets | The window, layouts, preferences, welcome screen, project settings, assets, node anatomy |
| Building the tree | Adding, deleting, reordering, linking, connector links, group nodes, navigating |
| Conditions, scripts and Lua | The Lua environment, conditions, false-condition actions, priorities, custom asset fields, markup |
| The simulator | Trackers, saved states, the possible-choices pane, the command line, preferences |
| Import, export and tools | Every exporter and importer, the command-line tools, the Audio File Placer |
| Version history | 1.0 (2010) to 1.9 (2015) |
The original manual is also available as a PDF: Chat Mapper 1.9 Documentation (PDF, 1.4 MB).
Desktop and Cloud
Section titled “Desktop and Cloud”Both read and write the same model. Move a project in either direction:
| From | To | How |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop | Cloud | Save as .cmp, or File → Export → Project As XML, then Import in Cloud. A .cmpkg brings the media too. |
| Cloud | Desktop | Export → ChatMapper XML (opens directly in Desktop) or CMPKG + media. |
What does not cross: Cloud’s _editor data (canvas positions, collapsed
state, custom-field templates, languages list) and Desktop’s window layout.
Reviewer notes and status survive both ways via XML. Variable IDs are not in
XML at all — variables are matched by name.
Cloud runs Lua 5.4; Desktop runs Lua 5.1. The documented host API is the same in both.
Editions
Section titled “Editions”Desktop was sold in a free edition and a Commercial licence. Features the original help marked licence holders only — XML/JSON/RTF export, CMPKG, reviewer tools, localisation, command-line tools, custom exporters — are noted as such on the pages here. All of them are included in ChatMapper Cloud.
System requirements
Section titled “System requirements”Windows XP SP2 or later (Windows 7–11 work), .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (the installer offers to install it), 1 GB RAM and 1024 × 768 or better. The installer is the only setup step; run it and follow the prompts.