Doom Builder

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Doom Builder
Author CodeImp
Latest Version 2.0.1.1157
Release Date 2010
Operating System Windows
Website [1]

Doom Builder is a map editor that's highly recognized within the SRB2 community, along with WadAuthor. Its features are primarily of map-making. Because it is endowed with many features, its interface is sometimes considered complicated. However, many people prefer Doom Builder over WadAuthor because of its more solid build (in comparison to WadAuthor, which is considered quite buggy) and its ability to automatically adjust sector references on sidedefs when creating or moving sectors.

One of the most popular features of Doom Builder is its 3D mode, which allows mappers to view and edit their maps in 3D.

The latest version is v2.0.1.1157, released in 2010. However, SRB2 Doom Builder, a branch of Doom Builder, is preferred by most users over standard Doom Builder for editing SRB2 maps.

Contents

Setting Up

Setup for Doom Builder is pretty simple. Steps are:

  1. If using ordinary Doom Builder, download the SRB2 config file for the program. Save it in the Doom Builder directory. SRB2DB is packaged with the file already provided.
  2. Load the config file in Doom Builder. You will then be asked to load a main IWAD. Select the file "srb2.srb" in your SRB2 directory.

Menu Info

Following are a list of the menus and the options in there... a pound sign (#) indicates an SRB2DB-only feature.

File

The main WAD selection and base setting menu. Note: Many of the actions described here can be found in the toolbar, located just below the top bar.

  • New Map - Opens a new map to work on. Settings such as map number, texture files to be used, and the testing mode for the map can be set here. These settings can be later changed in map options.
  • Open Map - Opens a map from your files. Any WAD file may be opened.
  • Switch Map - Switches the map being worked on in the WAD. Map WADs may contain more than 1 map.
  • Close Map - Closes the WAD being worked on.
  • Save Map - Saves your WAD. Any progress made on your WAD will be stored up to this point.
  • Save Map As - Allows the name of the WAD to be changed. Useful for creating backup WADs.
  • Save Map Into - Allows the user to save the map into another WAD. This is a fast, efficient way to compile many levels at once.
  • Export Map - The opposite of compiling maps, exporting maps allows the user to "rip" a map away from a WAD and "copy" it as another, separate map.
  • Export Picture - Takes a picture of the entire outline of the map.
  • Build Nodes - Invokes the external nodebuilder. Also run automatically when saving or testing the map.
  • Test Map - Opens the Test map options window, allowing the user to try out the level with all their current settings.
  • Recent Files - A list of the last 8 files worked on. Select a file to resume working on it.
  • Exit-Closes the program.


Edit

Map-Specific options. Note: Many of the actions described here can be found in the toolbar, located just below the top bar.

  • Undo - Undoes the last action taken. The number of actions that can be undone at one time can be changed in Configuration.
  • Redo - Redoes the last action taken, and should undo a desired edit.
  • Move Mode - Switches to move mode, allowing the user to grab the map and scroll in any direction.
  • Vertices Mode - Sets the mode to vertices, creating points on the map to attach lines to.
  • Lines Mode - Sets the mode to Lines, creating linedefs on the map that, in turn, create sectors.
  • Sectors Mode - Similar to Lines mode, yet often unused, because it is impractical to use for making sectors, therefore it is mainly used for selecting sectors, rather than creating them.
  • Things Mode - Switches to things mode, allowing the placement of objects, rings, enemies, etc. on the map.
  • 3D Mode - Switches to 3D mode, allowing the user to see the map as it will appear in the main game. This is an extremely useful feature, as it allows the user to adjust their level visually, and make minor adjustments to textures and sector heights. Note: At least 2 sectors must be created before 3D mode is available.
  • Cut - Takes out the selected things/linedefs/sectors and places them on the clipboard for pasting.
  • Copy-Copies the selected things/linedefs/sectors and places them on the clipboard for pasting.
  • Paste - Pastes the contents of the clipboard. Objects may be moved around before being placed.
  • Delete - Removes the selected things/linedefs/sectors from the map.
  • Find - Searches for something on the map. The "something" to be searched can be changed in the next window.
  • Find and Replace - The same as Find, but allows the user to replace what they are looking for with something else.
  • Flip Horizontally - Flips the selected things/linedefs/sectors right-to-left.
  • Flip Vertically - Flips the selected things/linedefs/sectors top-to-bottom.
  • Rotate - Rotates the selection by the degree.
  • Resize-Shrinks or expands the selection by percentage.
  • Snap to Grid - Has all things/linedefs/sectors automatically attach themselves to a point on the grid.
  • Snap to Vertices - Makes all linedefs and vertices automatically attach to each other when they touch.
  • Center View - Zooms the window out, so that the entire map is visible, or in, for more exact control.
  • Select All - Selects everything on the map. Whatever option is selected will change depending on the kind of mode selected.
  • Select None - De-select all highlighted linedefs/things.
  • Invert Selection - Similar to select all, but does not include objects already selected.
  • Map Options - Changes overall preferences for the map. The user can import custom textures and flats from a file. Default textures, lighting, and height can be adjusted here.

Prefabs

  • Insert Prefab from file...- Prefabs are saved bits of information from maps. They can be described as "quick-insert" structures. Saved structures can come in any form, whether it be vertices, lines, sectors, and even thing positions. A prefab is selected and inserted from a previously saved file.
  • Save selection as Prefab...- Takes the selected objects, and saves the selection as a separate file. For example, if someone were to select a fountain and save it as a prefab, that fountain would be available to paste over and over. This is particularly useful when creating the structure over and over would be tedious, or if the user wanted to transfer the structure to another map for later use.
  • Insert Previous Prefab-Creates another copy of the last prefab that was used.

Scripts

  • #Edit MAINCFG lump - Creates a script for the WAD. This script acts as a "guide" for the maps. It tells them what to do, how to do it, and what manner to do it in. More information may be found in Level Header.
Image:Warning_icon.png WARNING! Adding a map's script to another map that already had a script may result in the other script getting DELETED. Be sure to not lose important MAINCFG scripts in the process when using the Save Map Into option.

Tools

  • #Find Map Errors - Makes SRB2Doombuilder run a check on generic map errors. It is always a good idea to check the map for errors before releasing WADs. What errors to look for can be changed in the "Find Map Errors" window.
  • #Tag Browser - Brings up a complete list of used linedef numbers and sector tags. Double-clicking on a tag number will highlight the corresponding sectors/linedefs in the map.
  • Remove Unused Textures - If a texture has been painted to a surface that is out of view (such as if there are two sectors of same floor height, and one of the lower textures on the line separating the two sectors is defined), it will be removed. Caution, this will also remove textures that should grow visible due to moving lifts and/or platforms!!
  • Fix Missing Textures - Replaces all missing textures with the default texture
  • Fix Zero-Length Linedefs - Removes all zero-length linedefs from the map.
  • Reload Resources - Reloads the resource wad.
  • #Effects - Leads to the Zoom Tube Wizard. Note that this feature is not completely functional.
  • Customize Toolbar - Allows the user to arrange the buttons on the toolbar as he/she sees fit.
  • Configuration-Many options in which to customize Doom Builder/SRB2 Doom Builder.

Help

  • Doom Builder Website-Leads to the main page of the official Doombuilder website.
  • Frequently Asked Questions-Directs you to the FAQ webpage of the official Doombuilder Website.

Mode Options

The topic of this section will explain a few of the mode-specific features of Doom Builder and SRB2 Doom Builder. These features can be found in the menu, where the mode-specific column is found... a pound sign (#) indicates an SRB2:DB only feature and a caret (^) an original Doom Builder feature not in SRB2:DB...


Vertices

  • Snap to Grid - Causes all selected vertices to seek the nearest grid point and snap to it.
  • Stitch Vertices - Causes all selected vertices to meld with the first vertex selected.
  • Clear Unused Vertices - Removes all vertices from the map that are not connected to a linedef.

Lines

  • Snap to grid - Causes the selected linedef to seek the nearest grid points and snap its vertex sides to it.
  • Autoalign Textures - Causes the selected linedefs to align their textures. The textures can be lined up horizontally, vertically, or both. This tool may also be used in A useful tool to use when getting the textures to line up correctly.
  • Select only 1-sided linedefs - If you have multiple lines selected (such as from a band-box selection), this will filter your selection to only 1-sided lines.
  • Select only 2-sided linedefs - Same as above but with 2-sided lines.
  • Flip Linedefs - Causes all selected linedefs to face the other way. All sidedef textures and functions flip with their corresponding linedef.
  • Flip Sidedefs - Like Flip Linedefs, but limits to only flipping the textures to the other side of the linedef.
  • Curve Linedefs - Opens a window to "Curve Selection". The number of linedefs, the curve distance, and the delta angle are adjustable here. The linedef may be forced into being circular by clicking the checkbox.
  • Split Linedefs - Causes the selected linedefs to split in half, creating more lines.
  • #Cascade Tags Upwards - All sectors are given tags in ascending order from that contained in the first sector selected, in the order the sectors are selected.
  • #Copy/Paste Linedef Properties - Allows the user to take the sidedef information of a linedef and transfer it to another linedef.

Sectors

  • Snap to Grid - Causes the selected sector to seek the nearest grid point and snap to it.
  • Join Sectors - Causes all selected sectors to be part of the first selected sector.
  • ^Insert Sector - Creates a sector with a given number of sides and diameter.
  • Merge Sectors - Causes all selected sectors to meld together, connecting their linedefs to create one larger sector.
  • #Gradient Brightness - Evenly adjusts the light level in all selected sectors. The order that sectors are selected affects the order of the adjusted lights.
  • #Gradient Floors - Evenly adjusts the height of floors in all selected sectors. The order that sectors are selected affects the order of the height adjustment.
  • #Gradient Ceilings - Evenly adjusts the height of ceilings in all selected sectors. The order that sectors are selected affects the order of the height adjustment.
  • #Cascade Tags Upwards - Creates tags for all currently selected sectors in numerical order. The tags created do not take into account already used tags. Use caution when using this option.
  • #Convert to Stairs - Opens a window for converting a sector to stairs. This option will not work unless the sector is parallel to one of the axes, which are the long, purple lines that intersect at the middle of the grid. Currently this command is glitchy, as it only will make stairs that go eastward.
  • Raise/Lower Floor by 8px - Raises/lowers the selected sector's floor by 8 units.
  • Raise/Lower Ceiling by 8px - Raises/lowers the selected sector's ceiling by 8 units.
  • Increase/Decrease Brightness - Adjusts the light level in the sector. 255 is maximum, and the default light level. Lighting below 160 is not recommended.
  • Copy/Paste Sector Properties - Allows the user to take the height, linedef properties, and ceiling and floor textures of a sector and transfer them to another sector.
  • #Find Set of Identical Sectors - Selects all sectors with the same properties. Can be used for optimizing the level.
  • #Setup FOF-Once a sector is highlighted, the FOF editing window pops up. In this menu, it is possible to change the height of the block, its appearance, and the shadow it produces. If the user wants to produce water, a colormap may be used to change the color of the water, as well as deciding if the water will be translucent or opaque.

Things

  • Snap to Grid - Causes the selected thing to seek the nearest grid point and snap to it.
  • Rotate Angle Clockwise/Counterclockwise - Rotates the selected thing in the specified direction by 45 degrees.
  • Mouse Rotate - Allows the user to rotate the selected thing using the mouse. Only one thing may be selected at a time.
  • Copy/Paste Thing Properties - Allows the user to copy a thing's sprite, height, and angle position to transfer it into another thing.
  • Filter Things - A tool used to pick out specific things placed on the map. Things that are not filtered show on the map. To begin filtering, check the box labeled "Only show things according to the settings below", and select the flags and things that should be shown.

SRB2 Doom Builder

SRB2 Doom Builder
File:Srb2db b26.png
Author Oogaland
Latest Version Build 27
Release Date October 7th, 2007
Operating System Windows
Website [2]

SRB2 Doom Builder is a modification of Doom Builder designed specifically for Sonic Robo Blast 2, offering several enhancements over the original Doom Builder. Currently, SRB2 Doom Builder is the most widely used map editor of the SRB2 community, surpassing that of the original Doom Builder, as well as WadAuthor.

It is developed by Oogaland, an active member within the SRB2 community. Builds are made often. Currently, SRB2 Doom Builder is in a development phase of bug fixing. Development is more focused on fixing bugs than adding new features.

Features

  • Reorganized Specials menu
  • Custom Floor Over Floor setup menu (Buggy)
  • Labels for what the Deaf and Multi flags do with Things (when applicable)
  • Z-offset setting for Things (no more messing with bitsets)
  • Displaying of Floor Over Floors in 3D mode
  • "Find identical sectors" command
  • Switch Maps command
  • Convert Sector to Stairs (Buggy)
  • "Merge map headers into MAINCFG" command
  • Sector comments
  • Miscellaneous other features, including bugfixes and extensions on existing features

One downside to SRB2 Doom Builder is that with constant alteration, it is prone to suffering from bugs. However, these bugs are usually fixed promptly, and whenever you need to do something that the bug restricts, one can fall back on normal Doom Builder.

External Links


  WAD Editors [view]
Map Editors DeePsea • Doom Builder (and SRB2 Doom Builder) • Yadex
Lump Editors DeePsea • LumpMod • SLumpEd • XWE
Miscellaneous CleanWAD • ZenNode • ZDBSP
Retrieved from "http://wiki.srb2.org/wiki/Doom_Builder#SRB2_Doom_Builder"
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