# What are the benefits to using an external tileset vs embedded and collection vs tileset Image?

**URL:** <https://discourse.mapeditor.org/t/what-are-the-benefits-to-using-an-external-tileset-vs-embedded-and-collection-vs-tileset-image/3679>\
**Category:** Questions\
**Created:** [January 16, 2019, 5:30am UTC](https://discourse.mapeditor.org/t/what-are-the-benefits-to-using-an-external-tileset-vs-embedded-and-collection-vs-tileset-image/3679 "2019-01-16T05:30:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jest](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/user_avatar/discourse.mapeditor.org/jest/32/2093_2.png) [@jest](https://discourse.mapeditor.org/u/jest)\
**Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 5:30am UTC](https://discourse.mapeditor.org/t/what-are-the-benefits-to-using-an-external-tileset-vs-embedded-and-collection-vs-tileset-image/3679/1 "2019-01-16T05:30:49Z")

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I’ve read that embedded tilesets are a legacy thing and will be deprecated in future releases. On the other topic of tileSetimages vs collections, collections aren’t sortable atm, only via image order and editing the tsx file.

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**Author:** ![Modanung](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/user_avatar/discourse.mapeditor.org/modanung/32/3100_2.png) [@Modanung](https://discourse.mapeditor.org/u/Modanung)\
**Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 7:59am UTC](https://discourse.mapeditor.org/t/what-are-the-benefits-to-using-an-external-tileset-vs-embedded-and-collection-vs-tileset-image/3679/2 "2019-01-16T07:59:01Z")

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I think the main benefit of external tilesets is the fact they can be shared between maps. When it comes to a single image versus a collection I believe it’s more of a personal preference. Separate images may also be more convenient as tiles get larger.

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**Author:** ![bjorn](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/user_avatar/discourse.mapeditor.org/bjorn/32/1599_2.png) [@bjorn](https://discourse.mapeditor.org/u/bjorn)\
**Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 10:22am UTC](https://discourse.mapeditor.org/t/what-are-the-benefits-to-using-an-external-tileset-vs-embedded-and-collection-vs-tileset-image/3679/3 "2019-01-16T10:22:56Z")

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Using a collection, it can be easier to add/remove tiles from your tileset and it allows using tiles of different sizes. But indeed, the ability to rearrange and sort/search the tiles in a collection is still missing. Also, I would like to support tiles of different sizes also for tilesheets.

Embedding tilesets may simplify distribution and/or your loading code. As an export option I don’t consider it deprecated, but I see no benefits of using embedded tilesets while editing maps.