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5.7 Hexes

PnPInk includes dedicated support for hex-based layouts.

This is useful for two common workflows:

  • hexgrid for overlays, maps, and boards
  • hextiles for printable hex tiles that must align edge to edge

Hex workflows often use two different line systems:

  • Marks for global page/layout guides
  • Paths for local lines attached to individual placed hexes

5.7.1 Syntax

Hex layouts are enabled from Layout using the shape field:

{A4}.L{p=6x5 s=hexgrid}
{A4}.L{p=6x5 s=hextiles}

You can combine them with normal layout options such as p=, g= and o=.

5.7.2 Hexgrid

s=hexgrid creates a staggered hex-style layout without changing the size of your source object.

Typical uses:

  • map overlays
  • area-control boards
  • hex coordinate guides
  • transparent helper layers placed over another page

PnPInk automatically applies the stagger needed for a practical hex arrangement, so you do not have to calculate the offsets by hand.

Example:

{A3^ @2}.L{s=hexgrid} 300

5.7.3 Hextiles

s=hextiles is meant for physical tiles.

Use it when each placed item is a real hex tile and adjacent tiles should share the same geometric structure page-wide.

Typical uses:

  • modular terrain
  • map tiles
  • printable counters or region tiles

Compared with hexgrid, hextiles is oriented to production: neighboring tiles line up as a tile field, and marks can follow the real hex edges.

Example:

{A4}.L{p=5x6 s=hextiles}

5.7.4 Cut Lines In and Out of the Shape

When hex tiles are intended for printing and cutting, the most useful companion is Marks{}.

Marks can draw line segments on both sides of the tile edge:

  • an outer segment, outside the tile
  • an inner segment, inside the tile

This is controlled with len=.

.M{len=3}
.M{len=[3 2]}

Meaning:

  • len=3 means an outer segment of 3 and no inner segment
  • len=[3 2] means outer 3, inner 2

For hextiles, these lines follow the real hex edges instead of behaving like simple rectangular crop marks.

This makes it easier to produce:

  • shared cutting guides
  • edge-aligned tile sheets
  • visible internal guide lines when needed

You can also combine this with distance and border adjustments:

{A4}.L{p=5x6 s=hextiles}.M{len=[3 2] d=2 b=0}

In practice:

  • d= controls how far the outer line starts from the edge
  • b= shifts the line relative to the edge
  • len=[out in] controls how much line appears outside and inside the shape

5.7.5 Marks vs Paths

These two modules solve different problems.

Marks

Marks is defined globally in the first column together with Page{} and Layout{}.

It follows the placed slots of the page and is mainly intended for cutting and registration.

Example:

{A4}.L{p=5x6 s=hextiles}.M{len=[3 2] d=2}

Paths

Paths is attached to the content of a specific cell.

It draws local geometry on that placed hex: edges, center lines, vertex connections, or links to neighboring hexes.

Example:

tile_id.P{path_style [a 5c 79]}

See Paths for the complete token system.

  • Use hexgrid when the hex pattern is mainly a placement system.
  • Use hextiles when the hex shape itself is part of the printable result.