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Getting Started

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Errors edited this page Jun 24, 2026 · 2 revisions

This guide walks through the basic Local VTT workflow: create a campaign, add a scene, import a map, open the Player View, and show the scene to your players.

If this is your first time using Local VTT, start here.

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Before You Begin

Local VTT is designed for in-person play with two views:

  • The GM View, which stays private on the GM's laptop or desktop.
  • The Player View, which is shown on a TV, monitor, or projector.

You can use Local VTT with one screen while preparing a session, but the app is most useful when you have a second display connected for players.

Create A Campaign

A campaign is a local folder that stores your scenes, maps, tokens, thumbnails, and save data.

To create a campaign:

  1. Open Local VTT.
  2. Choose Create Campaign.
  3. Pick a folder location.
  4. Name the campaign.
  5. Confirm the campaign creation.

Local VTT creates the campaign folder and stores the campaign data there.

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Open An Existing Campaign

To continue a previous campaign:

  1. Open Local VTT.
  2. Choose Open Campaign.
  3. Select the campaign folder.
  4. Confirm the selection.

Recent campaigns also appear in the campaign panel so you can reopen them quickly.

If a recent campaign was moved or deleted, Local VTT will show an error and let you remove the stale recent entry.

Create Your First Scene

Scenes are the individual maps or table setups inside a campaign.

To create a scene:

  1. Open or create a campaign.
  2. Go to the scene list.
  3. Choose New Scene.
  4. Give the scene a name.
  5. Select the scene to open it.

A scene can be used with or without a map, but most sessions start by importing a map image or video.

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Import A Map

Local VTT supports static image maps, animated GIF maps, MP4 maps, and WebM maps.

To import a map:

  1. Select a scene.
  2. Open the Map layer or map controls.
  3. Choose Import Map.
  4. Select your map file.
  5. Wait for the map and thumbnail to be added to the campaign.

Imported maps are copied into the campaign folder so the campaign remains portable.

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Configure The Grid

After importing a map, configure the scene grid.

Local VTT supports:

  • Gridless scenes.
  • Square grids.
  • Hex grids.

For many battle maps, the fastest setup is to use the map's known grid dimensions. For example, if the map is 44 squares wide and 25 squares tall, enter those dimensions so Local VTT can fit the grid to the map.

If the map does not line up cleanly, use the Map Calibration Assistant.

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Open The Player View

The Player View is the window players see on a TV, monitor, or projector.

To open it:

  1. Open the Player View menu.
  2. Choose Open Player View.
  3. Move the Player View window to the player-facing display if needed.
  4. Use fullscreen when ready.

You can configure a preferred display so Local VTT tries to open Player View on the correct screen in future sessions.

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Send A Scene To Players

Opening a scene in the GM View does not automatically show it to players.

To show a scene:

  1. Select the scene in the GM View.
  2. Open the Player View controls.
  3. Choose the option to send or show the scene to Player View.

The Player View receives a player-safe version of the scene. GM-only content is filtered out.

If the shown scene is deleted or unavailable, Player View stays open and displays a waiting screen.

Add Tokens

Tokens are lightweight markers for creatures, characters, objects, or points of interest.

To add a token:

  1. Open the Tokens layer or Token Library.
  2. Import a token image, or choose an existing token asset.
  3. Drag the token onto the scene.
  4. Adjust its name, size, visibility, and presentation settings as needed.

Tokens can be visible to the GM only or shown to players.

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Add Fog Of War

Fog of war controls what parts of the scene players can see.

To start with fog:

  1. Open the Fog of War layer.
  2. Choose the scene's fog mode.
  3. Select a fog tool from the Tools menu.
  4. Draw reveal or hide shapes on the map.
  5. Check the Player View to confirm what players can see.

Fog can be drawn with brush, rectangle, circle, and polygon tools.

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Save Your Work

Local VTT tracks unsaved campaign and scene changes.

Save your work after making changes to:

  • Campaign details.
  • Scenes.
  • Scene folders.
  • Maps.
  • Tokens.
  • Fog.
  • Drawings.
  • Effects.
  • Turn order settings.

Save indicators help show whether the active scene, campaign, or both have unsaved changes.

Basic First Session Checklist

Before players arrive, confirm that you can:

  • Open your campaign.
  • Open the scene you want to use.
  • See the map in GM View.
  • See the correct scene in Player View.
  • Confirm the grid and measurement settings.
  • Add or move a token.
  • Reveal or hide part of the map with fog.
  • Use fullscreen on the player-facing display.
  • Save the campaign and scene.

Where To Go Next

After this guide, the most useful next pages are:

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