This page is a list of relevant tools like compilers or model editors and resources such as shader directive documentation.
Map Editors That Support Q3 Map Format:
Radiant is the known long-time Q3 map editor. And ... how to politely say this .. there are many people who do not enjoy the user-interface of Radiant.
The map editors that support Q3 map format that are loved by many users:
- TrenchBroom. Open-source. (Trenchbroom) Supports Q3 map format! The primary author informed me that the current version does not support Q3 patches. Patches are a nice Q3 feature allowing curved surfaces among other things, but they are not essential. And as a living, breathing open source map editor perhaps in the future TrenchBroom will support patches.
- J.A.C.K. (J.A.C.K.)This map editor is very similar to Valve Hammer or its predecessor Worldcraft. I use this editor and it is easy for me because my first map editor was Worldcraft and that is how my instincts are wired . The author of J.A.C.K. told me several years ago he was "open to the idea of open source". Thus far, to the best of my knowledge this has not come to pass.
Tools:
- Noesis (Noesis click Projects->Noesis) A model converter that can handle many model formats and most of the model formats related to Quake, DarkPlaces, Quake III, etc. The model formats of primary interest are .md3, .mdl, .obj and DarkPlaces supports .iqm which is used in Xonotic.
- Fimg. (Fimg Download at Quaddicted.com ) The best and perhaps only tool to edit Quake sprites (.spr) and Sprite 32.
- Pakscape (Pakscape Download at Quaddicted.com). Edit .pak and .pk3. A pk3 is a zip file, you can rename .pk3 to .zip and edit the .zip with WinRAR or some other .zip editor and rename back to .pk3. Pakscape is more convenient.
- NormalMap (NormalMap-Online). Online tool to generate normal maps for a texture and other related texture types.
AI Upscale
- Real ESRGAN GUI (Open Source Desktop AI Upscaler) As an older game, the texture resolution of Quake will always be an issue that will require quality upscaling tools. ESRGAN is -- at least right now -- considered the best AI upscaling algorithm, this tool can AI upscale an entire folder of Quake map textures in seconds.
Reference Materials:
- DarkPlaces Shader Guide (Omnicide:DarkPlaces Material System). Vortex, a long time DarkPlaces engine contributor, created a wiki detailing shader directives and parameters. This is the only reference I am aware of detailing DarkPlaces shader directives and the detail is A++. The last edit appears to be 2014.
- DarkPlaces Wiki (DarkPlaces Quakewiki). Information on DarkPlaces texture naming and materials with some examples.
- DarkPlaces GitLab (DarkPlaces GitLab) This is where development of DarkPlaces occurs.
- Xonotic. (Xonotic Community) Active free and open source community and the development DarkPlaces is by the Xonotic community.
