Quake Map Editor Front End
Copyright © 1996 by John Baumbach
http://www.vcnet.com/mantis
mantis@vcnet.com

Save the text output from QBSP, Light, and VIS to a text file to
debug your MAPs!

After not being able to get a map to VIS and having no idea why,
I became sick of trying to press "pause" while the output
from QBSP was scrolling by.  So, I decided to write a quick
program to capture the output and save it to a text file for
easy viewing later.

For users new to map building, this program also gives a few status
messages explaining how your level is compiling and possible problems.

Things you will need:

Windows95

The three map compiling utilities:

QBSP.EXE
Light.EXE
VIS.EXE

Actually, to compile a MAP file all you need is QBSP but if you want
cool lighting effects you need light and if you want your level to
be fast, you need VIS.  These are available on "Stomped" or if you
are using a level editor like "Worldcraft", these files come with it.

Installing:

Unzip the "mapfrontend.exe" program into the same directory as the three
executables listed above.  All your "MAP" files must be in this directory
too.  You can set up an icon in Windows95 to point to it.

Using the program/Cool features:

When you first run the program, a preferences box will appear allowing
you to enter your path to Quake and command line options.  All the other options
should be self-explanitory.

Some people will have multiple different QBSP files, so you can select
which one to use by clicking the "Preferences" button.

Since complicated levels take forever to VIS, you can click the "Exit before
running VIS" to make the program close after it starts VIS on your level.
This will help conserve system resources and speed up the VIS process.  I've
heard of some levels taking days to VIS, even on a Pentium.  Mine
only take a few seconds, but my levels are still quite small (3 rooms).

I've put a few MAP editing Web sites in the "Help" screen (from the "Preferences"
screen).  These sites have sure helped me out.  Just click on the link and it will
start your favorite Web browser and connect to the site.  My homepage is at the bottom
of the list for your viewing pleasure!

If you pass a valid MAP name to the program on the command line and have the
"Start Compiling on Startup" checked, the program will start compiling your
level automatically.

Pressing the button with the Quake symbol on it will run Quake with the map
showing in the "Map Name" box.

Other notes:

The "Abort" button doesn't stop a compiler (QBSP, Light, VIS) once it's started
since the program "sleeps" until its done to conserve CPU cycles.  It will halt
the program once the current operation is completed, however.

If you have any problems or questions (or suggestions), be sure to e-mail me at
the address above.  If there's enough interest I may write another version with
suggested features...