GtkRadiant
Encyclopedia
GtkRadiant is a level design
program developed by id Software
and Loki Software
. It is used to create maps for a number of video games. It is maintained by id Software together with a number of volunteers.
. The first direct code ancestor however was QE4, the in-house Quake II
level editor id Software used to build Quake II
levels and later made available with the Quake II SDK. Robert Duffy used the released QE4 source code to develop QERadiant which became a very popular editor. id Software took the code in-house again to develop Q3Radiant, the Quake III Arena
level design tool. All these tools were Windows
-only applications.
GtkRadiant was released in 2001 as a modification of Q3Radiant introducing two major changes: It used the GTK+
toolkit so that it could also support Linux
and Mac OS X
, and it was also game engine
-independent, with functionality for new games added as game packs. Timothee Besset
, who became responsible for the id Software's post Quake III Linux ports and much of the network programming, was hired to maintain the game editor.
GtkRadiant is free software
distributed under GNU General Public License
. For a long time, the application source code was publicly available from id Software's Subversion repository, and it was in a dual license where new code was under GPL-compatible free software licenses and the core Q3Radiant code was under id Software's proprietary license, primarily because it used parts of Quake III Arena code. This dual-license system made development difficult, and inhibited use of the editor in commercial projects. On August 19, 2005, Quake III Arena source code was released along with the Q3Radiant source code. The license for both the GtkRadiant editor and toolset (notably Q3Map2, the BSP
compiler) was changed in February 2006, and publicly released under the GPL
on February 17.
; DarkRadiant, which is specifically optimised for id Tech 4 engine. It was originally created for the needs of a Doom 3
mod called The Dark Mod.
and modifications
as well.
Support has previously existed for the following:
In addition, the following games and projects use GtkRadiant as a map editor, by using the GtkRadiant Quake III Arena game pack and an external map compiler or converter:
Custom game packs exist for these games:
The following games use modified versions of GtkRadiant as a community map editor in combination with a series of other tools available in their editing kits:
The following games use modified versions of GtkRadiant, but do not have a map editor available for the community.
Level design
Level design, environment design or game mapping is a discipline of game development involving creation of video game levels—locales, stages, or missions. This is commonly done using level editor, a game development software designed for building levels; however some games feature built-in...
program developed by id Software
Id Software
Id Software is an American video game development company with its headquarters in Richardson, Texas. The company was founded in 1991 by four members of the computer company Softdisk: programmers John Carmack and John Romero, game designer Tom Hall, and artist Adrian Carmack...
and Loki Software
Loki Software
Loki Software, Inc. was a software firm based in Tustin, California, United States, that ported several video games from Microsoft Windows to Linux...
. It is used to create maps for a number of video games. It is maintained by id Software together with a number of volunteers.
History
GtkRadiant's roots lie in id Software's in-house tools. Some of the early UI design decisions influencing it could be seen in QuakeEd, the original Quake mapping tool for NextStepNEXTSTEP
NeXTSTEP was the object-oriented, multitasking operating system developed by NeXT Computer to run on its range of proprietary workstation computers, such as the NeXTcube...
. The first direct code ancestor however was QE4, the in-house Quake II
Quake II
Quake II, released on December 9, 1997, is a first-person shooter computer game developed by Id Software and distributed by Activision. It is not a sequel to Quake; it merely uses the name of the former game due to Id's difficulties in coming up with alternative names.The soundtrack for Quake II...
level editor id Software used to build Quake II
Quake II
Quake II, released on December 9, 1997, is a first-person shooter computer game developed by Id Software and distributed by Activision. It is not a sequel to Quake; it merely uses the name of the former game due to Id's difficulties in coming up with alternative names.The soundtrack for Quake II...
levels and later made available with the Quake II SDK. Robert Duffy used the released QE4 source code to develop QERadiant which became a very popular editor. id Software took the code in-house again to develop Q3Radiant, the Quake III Arena
Quake III Arena
Quake III Arena , is a multiplayer first-person shooter video game released on December 2, 1999. The game was developed by id Software and featured music composed by Sonic Mayhem and Front Line Assembly...
level design tool. All these tools were Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
-only applications.
GtkRadiant was released in 2001 as a modification of Q3Radiant introducing two major changes: It used the GTK+
GTK+
GTK+ is a cross-platform widget toolkit for creating graphical user interfaces. It is licensed under the terms of the GNU LGPL, allowing both free and proprietary software to use it. It is one of the most popular toolkits for the X Window System, along with Qt.The name GTK+ originates from GTK;...
toolkit so that it could also support Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
and Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
, and it was also game engine
Game engine
A game engine is a system designed for the creation and development of video games. There are many game engines that are designed to work on video game consoles and personal computers...
-independent, with functionality for new games added as game packs. Timothee Besset
Timothee Besset
Timothee Besset is a software programmer currently employed by id Software who is most well known for creating and supporting Linux, as well as some Macintosh, ports of id Software's products. He has been involved with the game ports of various id properties over the past ten years, starting with...
, who became responsible for the id Software's post Quake III Linux ports and much of the network programming, was hired to maintain the game editor.
GtkRadiant is free software
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
distributed under GNU General Public License
GNU General Public License
The GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
. For a long time, the application source code was publicly available from id Software's Subversion repository, and it was in a dual license where new code was under GPL-compatible free software licenses and the core Q3Radiant code was under id Software's proprietary license, primarily because it used parts of Quake III Arena code. This dual-license system made development difficult, and inhibited use of the editor in commercial projects. On August 19, 2005, Quake III Arena source code was released along with the Q3Radiant source code. The license for both the GtkRadiant editor and toolset (notably Q3Map2, the BSP
Binary space partitioning
In computer science, binary space partitioning is a method for recursively subdividing a space into convex sets by hyperplanes. This subdivision gives rise to a representation of the scene by means of a tree data structure known as a BSP tree.Originally, this approach was proposed in 3D computer...
compiler) was changed in February 2006, and publicly released under the GPL
GNU General Public License
The GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
on February 17.
DarkRadiant
There is one prominent forkFork (software development)
In software engineering, a project fork happens when developers take a legal copy of source code from one software package and start independent development on it, creating a distinct piece of software...
; DarkRadiant, which is specifically optimised for id Tech 4 engine. It was originally created for the needs of a Doom 3
Doom 3
Doom 3 is a science fiction horror video game developed by id Software and published by Activision. An example of the first-person shooter genre, Doom 3 was first released for Microsoft Windows on August 3, 2004. The game was later adapted for Linux, as well as being ported by Aspyr Media for Mac...
mod called The Dark Mod.
ZeroRadiant
ZeroRadiant (or GTKRadiant 1.6.0) is an upcoming version of the GTKRadiant level editor based upon the 1.4.0 architecture and design. It is currently in development for new id Games projects. It will be used to create maps for a number of computer games. It is maintained by id Software together with a number of volunteers.Supported games
Top-level game packs that are maintained in the GtkRadiant Subversion server exist for the following games https://zerowing.idsoftware.com/svn/radiant.gamepacks/. Generally, this includes support for all expansionsExpansion pack
An expansion pack, expansion set, or supplement is an addition to an existing role-playing game, tabletop game or video game. These add-ons usually add new game areas, weapons, objects, and/or an extended storyline to a complete and already released game...
and modifications
Mod (computer gaming)
Mod or modification is a term generally applied to personal computer games , especially first-person shooters, role-playing games and real-time strategy games. Mods are made by the general public or a developer, and can be entirely new games in themselves, but mods are not standalone software and...
as well.
- CodeRED: Alien ArenaCodeRED: Alien ArenaAlien Arena is a free, stand-alone first-person shooter computer game based on source code released by id Software. Begun by COR Entertainment in 2004, the game combines a 1950s-era sci-fi atmosphere with gameplay similar to the Quake, Doom, and Unreal Tournament series...
- Uses a specialized version called AARadiant. - DarkPlaces
- Doom 3Doom 3Doom 3 is a science fiction horror video game developed by id Software and published by Activision. An example of the first-person shooter genre, Doom 3 was first released for Microsoft Windows on August 3, 2004. The game was later adapted for Linux, as well as being ported by Aspyr Media for Mac...
- A Windows-only variant called D3Radiant (based on Q3Radiant, not GtkRadiant) is integrated into Doom 3. GtkRadiant 1.5.x can be used to make Doom 3 maps in Linux, by utilizing Doom 3's integrated map compiler in conjunction. - Half-Life
- Heretic IIHeretic IIHeretic II is a fantasy action-adventure game developed by Raven Software and published by Activision in 1998 continuing the story of Corvus, the main character from its predecessor, Heretic....
- NexuizNexuizNexuiz is a free first-person shooter video game developed and published by Alientrap Software. It is free and open-source software and is distributed under the GNU General Public License . Version 1.0 of the game was released on May 31, 2005. The current version, 2.5.2, was released on October 1,...
- PreyPrey (video game)Prey is a first-person shooter video game developed by Human Head Studios , and published by 2K Games. The Xbox 360 version was ported by Venom Games. The game was initially released in North America and Europe on 11 July 2006...
- Quake
- Quake IIQuake IIQuake II, released on December 9, 1997, is a first-person shooter computer game developed by Id Software and distributed by Activision. It is not a sequel to Quake; it merely uses the name of the former game due to Id's difficulties in coming up with alternative names.The soundtrack for Quake II...
- Quake III ArenaQuake III ArenaQuake III Arena , is a multiplayer first-person shooter video game released on December 2, 1999. The game was developed by id Software and featured music composed by Sonic Mayhem and Front Line Assembly...
- Quake 4Quake 4Quake 4 is the fourth title in the series of Quake first-person shooter computer games. The game was developed by Raven Software and published by Activision. Raven Software has collaborated with id Software, the creators and historical developers of preceding Quake games...
- Being based on the Doom 3 engineDoom 3 engineid Tech 4, popularly known as the Doom 3 engine, is a game engine developed by id Software and first used in the video game Doom 3. The engine was designed by John Carmack, who also created previous engines such as those for Doom and Quake, which are also widely recognized as marking significant...
, it also uses a version of D3Radiant internally. However, GtkRadiant 1.5 can still be used to create maps on Linux. - Return To Castle WolfensteinReturn to Castle WolfensteinReturn to Castle Wolfenstein is a first person shooter video game published by Activision and originally released on November 19, 2001 for Microsoft Windows. It was made available on Steam on August 3, 2007. The single player game was developed by Gray Matter Interactive and Nerve Software...
- Wolfenstein: Enemy TerritoryWolfenstein: Enemy TerritoryWolfenstein: Enemy Territory is a free and open source multiplayer first-person shooter video game set during World War II...
- Soldier of Fortune II: Double HelixSoldier of Fortune II: Double HelixSoldier of Fortune II: Double Helix is a video game created by Raven Software, a sequel to Soldier of Fortune. It was developed using the Quake III: Team Arena engine. Once again, Raven hired John Mullins to act as a consultant on the game...
- Star Trek: Voyager Elite Force
- Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi OutcastStar Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi OutcastStar Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, often abbreviated JK2 or JO, is a first- and third-person action game developed by Raven Software and published by LucasArts and Activision. The PC version was released in March and the Mac OS X, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube versions were released in November...
- Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi AcademyStar Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi AcademyStar Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is a first and third-person shooter action game set in the Star Wars universe. It was developed by Raven Software and published, distributed and marketed by LucasArts in North America and by Activision in the rest of the world. Jedi Academy was released in...
- TremulousTremulousTremulous is a free and open source team-based first-person shooter with real-time strategy elements.The game features two opposing teams: humans and aliens. Each team must attack the enemy's base and team members, while defending their own base...
- UFO: Alien InvasionUFO: Alien InvasionUFO: Alien Invasion is an open source strategy video game in which the player fights aliens that are trying to take control of the Earth. The game is heavily influenced by the X-COM series . It is based on a modified id Tech 2 engine, and runs on Linux, Microsoft Windows, AmigaOS 4, and Mac OS X...
- War§owWar§owWarsow is a multiplayer first-person shooter computer game first publicly released on June 8, 2005. The game is in active development.Warsow’s codebase is free and open source software, distributed under the terms of the GPL; it is built upon Qfusion, an advanced modification of the Quake II engine...
- Urban TerrorUrban TerrorUrban Terror, commonly abbreviated as UrT, is a free multi-player first person shooter game developed by FrozenSand. Originally a total conversion of id Software's Quake III Arena, FrozenSand released Urban Terror as a free standalone game in 2007 utilizing ioquake3 as an engine...
Support has previously existed for the following:
- Medal of Honor: Allied AssaultMedal of Honor: Allied AssaultMedal of Honor: Allied Assault is a first-person shooter computer game developed by 2015, Inc. and created by Steven Spielberg. It is the 3rd installment of the Medal of Honor series...
- Call of DutyCall of DutyCall of Duty is a first-person shooter video game developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision in 2003. It is the first game in a series with the same name. The game simulates the infantry and combined arms warfare of World War II. The game is based on the Quake III: Team Arena engine...
- Call of Duty 2Call of Duty 2Call of Duty 2 is a first-person shooter video game and the second installment in the critically acclaimed Call of Duty series. It was developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision. It was released on October 25, 2005 for Microsoft Windows and on November 22, 2005 as a launch game for the...
In addition, the following games and projects use GtkRadiant as a map editor, by using the GtkRadiant Quake III Arena game pack and an external map compiler or converter:
- Crystal SpaceCrystal SpaceCrystal Space is a framework for developing 3D applications written in C++ by Jorrit Tyberghein and others. The first public release was on August 26, 1997. It is typically used as a game engine but the framework is more general and can be used for any kind of 3D visualization. It is very...
game engine - IrrlichtIrrlicht EngineIrrlicht is an open source 3D engine written in C++. It is cross-platform, officially running on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and Windows CE and due to its open nature ports to other systems are available, including Xbox, PlayStation Portable, SymbianOS and iPhone.Irrlicht is known for its small size...
game engine (supports Q3A .bsp files)
Custom game packs exist for these games:
- Blob Wars : Blob And Conquer
- GunZ: The Duel
- NeverballNeverballNeverball is a 3D platform game similar to Super Monkey Ball. It is currently available for Windows platforms, Mac OS X, Linux, FreeBSD, Dreamcast, AmigaOS 4, iOS and Maemo...
The following games use modified versions of GtkRadiant as a community map editor in combination with a series of other tools available in their editing kits:
- Call of Duty 4
- Call of Duty World at War
The following games use modified versions of GtkRadiant, but do not have a map editor available for the community.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a first-person shooter video game developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 video game consoles and the Microsoft Windows operating system. Officially announced on February 11, 2009, the game was released worldwide on...
- Call of Duty: Black OpsCall of Duty: Black OpsCall of Duty: Black Ops is a first-person shooter video game developed by Treyarch, published by Activision and released worldwide on November 9, for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii consoles, with a separate version for Nintendo DS developed by n-Space. Announced on April 30, 2010,...