Np.
A .bat isn't a compiler, its basically a renamed .txt file that executes a string of commands such as the ones to compile your maps.
I keep all my compiled maps in a the 'baseq2/maps' folder. Its best (if you have the hdd space) to have two complete separate copies of your whole quake2 installs to keep things tidy and to keep your downloaded multiplayer & mapping maps separate. Use '
c:\quake2' for your mapping, and '
c:\quake2_mp' for all your gaming.
So go ahead and grab all your compilers and put them into:
c:\quake2\baseq2\maps(Qbsp.exe, Arghrad.exe and Qvis.exe).
I recommend using
arghrad.planetquake.gamespy.com/ instead of Qrad, as its more up to date and supports a lot of cool features.
Next, right click inside the c:\quake2\baseq2\maps folder and make a .txt file, name it '
compile.bat'
Right click the .bat and go to EDIT, and paste the following into it:
qbsp3.exe yourmapname.map
qvis3.exe yourmapname.bsp
arghrad.exe yourmapname.bsp
PAUSEGo ahead and rename 'yourmapname' for each of the compile programs listed above to your map name. With arghrad you can add in a many options that will help produce better lighting results, read up on it at the link I mentioned earlier to find out what each one does.
So you could have:
arghrad.exe -gamedir D:\quake2\baseq2 -ambienta 10 -chopcurve 16 -choplight 16 yourmapname.bsp-ambienta (is the ambient light in the map)
-gamedir (lets arghrad know where your textures are located etc)
-chopcurve & choplight (help produce better lighting results)
PAUSE - this pauses the command prompt after your map is compiled, just so you can take a quick look at the results before you close it.
Once you have done the above, save it and we are almost there.
Create a shortcut of your quake2.exe and place the shortcut in the baseq2/maps folder or where ever you like.
Right click on the shortcut and go to PROPERTIES, and in the 'target' field have it looking similar to this:
c:\quake2\quake2.exe +map yourmapname +set cheats 1+set cheats 1, is just so you can 'noclip' around in your map etc...
A few good commands that you may want to use when in the Quake 2 console: r_speeds 1 and gl_showtris 1 (0 to turn them off).
But you probably knew these already. I keep them binded to keys.
You have to be careful when using .bats, as you can very easily name something incorrectly and end up puzzled and confused as to why your map is not compiling.
You could have shortcuts to your newly made Quake2 shortcut and a shortcut to your compile.bat, placed somewhere for easy access, I keep mine on the taskbar. Also make sure you
save your map before clicking on the compile.bat, I sometimes click on it then go into quake2 and think huh? I just added stuff to my map... when I forgot to save, so make sure you do this.
A few things to remember:
- When working on a new map, don't forget to change your map name in the .bat
- And change the map name in the Quake 2 shortcut
If you have any trouble with the above let me know, I'm not very good at wording things ;D