.map -> .dif
by Jeffrey · in General Discussion · 08/31/2004 (10:52 am) · 5 replies
On purchase of Torque is there a converter included in the SDK, as i would prefer to use differant level making software other than Quark.
About the author
#2
You just need to make sure that you're licensed for the level editing software (in the case of Hammer and Radiant) and it can export Valve220 MAP files.
08/31/2004 (10:57 am)
Map2dif comes with it.You just need to make sure that you're licensed for the level editing software (in the case of Hammer and Radiant) and it can export Valve220 MAP files.
#3
08/31/2004 (11:07 am)
Thanks for the quick reply, i have been fidling with other engines for a while with not much luck, i have bought the book and found the Torque engine very intresting, my only problem as this thread goes is Level editing thats why i posted to find about a converter it gives me more options for level editing, i could even try using Cartoghraphy Shop 4.1 exporting .map files, as i own this already. 
#4
One of the issues you will run into as David pointed out is that some of the map editing software out there requires that they are licensed for commercial use. (as in the case of Hammer and QRadiant but not with Cartography shop) This is one of the main reasons Torquers use Quark.
You can use Cartoghraphy Shop 4.1 to create .map files but you'll most likely still have to bring the .map file into Quark to add lighting, entities, portals, LOD settings etc. You may also have to add several things to the .map file by hand in order for them export properly to .DIF.
Useing a non Quark interior creation pipeline is a little more work and requires a higher degree of knowledge of the ins and outs of the DIF format, but it can have many advantages as well.
Uless you want to do a lot of research ahead of time(and go through the pain of trial and error) you're best off learning Quark first and understanding how the features of the .DIF format works before you head off trying to create your own content creation pipeline.
Just my 2 cents...
09/01/2004 (9:16 am)
You can use any software you like (including Cartography shop) that supports the Valve220 MAP format or the quake map format and run it through map2dif to create a DIF interior object for use with the Torque engine.One of the issues you will run into as David pointed out is that some of the map editing software out there requires that they are licensed for commercial use. (as in the case of Hammer and QRadiant but not with Cartography shop) This is one of the main reasons Torquers use Quark.
You can use Cartoghraphy Shop 4.1 to create .map files but you'll most likely still have to bring the .map file into Quark to add lighting, entities, portals, LOD settings etc. You may also have to add several things to the .map file by hand in order for them export properly to .DIF.
Useing a non Quark interior creation pipeline is a little more work and requires a higher degree of knowledge of the ins and outs of the DIF format, but it can have many advantages as well.
Uless you want to do a lot of research ahead of time(and go through the pain of trial and error) you're best off learning Quark first and understanding how the features of the .DIF format works before you head off trying to create your own content creation pipeline.
Just my 2 cents...
Torque Owner Stefan Lundmark
If you're interested in the map -> dif, then you will have to download the convertor, or compile it yourself. I found it easier to download it, when I was new.
I think it's linked in the docs, or Joe's version might be hanging around in the forums, try to search.