Map making for Digital Paint is a very involved process. Due to the amount
of in-depth questions that can inherently be raised I will only cover the
basics here, and give links to sites which should contain more information.
Choosing an Editor
Before you can begin making a map you
must have an editor that supports Quake2, unless you plan on editing a
map file by hand =). The three main editors used by DP members and other
members of the DP community are Worldcraft, Qoole, and BSP. Worldcraft
is by far the easiest editor to use and is catered towards beginners. Qoole
is a has a more professional interface by lacks many features that are
in worldcraft and BSP. BSP is the editor of choice for both Calrathan and
Jitspoe, DP's main map makers. BSP offers the most features in a very intelligent
interface. Below you can find the links to each editors website. At their
sites you should be able to download the editor, as well as find prefabs,
and tutorials.
Getting Started
The best way to get started map making
is to actually make a map. Most editors have tutorials and samples either
included or on their website. Load up these samples and play with them.
Learn the interface, and how to make walls and texture things and place
lights. Once you have played enough make a simple level and try it out.
Compile it and go run around in it. If the editor you are using has a snap
to grid feature, I suggest you start out at 64 units. Use this setting
to create the framework of your map so that everything lines up and your
level doesn't leak. As you get further along in development, gradually
move the snap down to 32, 16, and 8. These grids will give you better detail
but will allow you go keep all faces and points lined up exactly. Misaligned
brushes make maps run slower and add time to compiling. Any other questions
about making maps should be addressed to the pages of the individual editor
you are using.
Paintball Entities
Jitspoe and Calrathan have worked together
to make a list of all entities and descriptions used in Digital Paint.
Smokeya has put together a Qoole Map making kit for Digital Paint
-
DPQoole.zip
- The kit includes palette and entity files. This kit will allow you to
view the textures properly from within Qoole and give you access to all
DP entities from the Qoole entity menus. Make sure you read the ReadMe.txt
before using.
Jitspoe has put together a BSP map making kit for Digital Paint
-
bsp_b5.zip
- If you want to make maps and
you use BSP, this is the file to get. Extract to c:\bsp\ and copy
the "compilers" and "mapfiles" folders to c:\quake2\pball\. Read
the bsp_b5.txt included for more info. Includes a sample map.
Other DP Map Making Tools
Calrathan has made a program that will
convert Quake1 Paintball maps to Quake2 Digital Paint maps.
-
MapConvert.zip
- Just run it with the path of the quake1 paintball .map file as a parameter,
and it will create a new version of your map which should be almost totally
converted for DP, as oldmap_q2.map. Undoubtedly your map will have a few
unconverted textures, as the DP texture list is not as versatile as quake1's.
Simply add any custom textures you have with the q1 and q2 names into the
textures.dat file and rerun the program to fix those textures. Any ways,
it takes a LOT of the work of conversion away from you, just minor touchups.
Jitspoe has made a sample .map file to show how the DP entities work
-
sample_map.zip
- This is a .map which you can use to get a better understanding of how
to make maps for Digital Paint Paintball II. It includes support
for 1-Flag and 2-Flag CTF as well as Deathmatch.
Other Helpful Links
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