*********************************** **** Duke Nukem 3D MAPPER v1.3 **** *********************************** ---------- CONTENTS ---------- 1) Legal stuff 2) Features 3) Installation 4) How to use MAPPER 5) Troubleshooting 6) Credits 7) History ---------------- 1) LEGAL STUFF ---------------- MAPPER is written by Lars Heimann and Markus Ansmann. MAPPER is Freeware, which means: You are free to copy this program, if you are not going to take any profit out of it, and as long, as the archive consists of these TWO files : 1) MAPPER.EXE 2) MAPPER.TXT The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of this program. In other words: Use this software at your own risk. Duke Nukem 3D is (c) 3D Realms Entertainment. Please e-mail any comments to: larsheimann@bigfoot.com ------------- 2) FEATURES ------------- * can be placed in any directory (does not have to be the Duke-Directory) * all options are saved in a seperate file (remembers last usermap etc.) * usermaps can be launched from any directory (or directly from a Level-CD) * can show up to 384 usermaps at once in a sorted list * quickly find a Map by pressing its initial letter * choose from a list of all resolutions your video card supports * can be used with the ATOMIC EDITION or DUKE NUKEM 1.3D * a variety of options: skill, playername, number of players, socketnumber, multiplayer type, original map warping, usermap selection, toggle monsters, toggle demo, change resolution, edit textmacros, launch external program (e.g.: BUILD) * if external program is BUILD.EXE (that's what I added this for), BUILD is automatically launched with the selected usermap to be edited * you can send and receive Maps using IPX without leaving MAPPER * you can enter comments for each usermap (description/rating) => these comments will be stored in MAPPER.DSC in the Mapper-Dir * can show you maps in a 2D-Preview 640x480 (like in Build) * you can add commandline-parameters to MAPPER.EXE, which are automatically passed to DUKE3D.EXE or COMMIT.EXE * you can automatically add the Expander Weapon to older maps * you can play Multiplayer Special Modes for more fun in Dukematch * you will be informed, if you want to start a Dukematch/Coop Game and there are not enough starting positions on the map * you will be warned if a map is corrupted or not made for Duke Nukem 3D to avoid crashes ----------------- 3) INSTALLATION ----------------- Just copy MAPPER.EXE and MAPPER.TXT to any directory on your harddisk. The first time you start MAPPER, you will be prompted for several things. You will have to enter the directory for your usermaps and possibly the Duke-Directory, if you haven't put MAPPER.EXE there. MAPPER will create a file called MAPPER.INI, where these directories and many other options will be stored. I made this program as secure as possible, but if you encounter problems starting MAPPER, please delete MAPPER.INI - it will be recreated automatically. ---------------------- 4) HOW TO USE MAPPER ---------------------- MAPPER is controlled completely via the keyboard. You can access the different options in the MainMenu by pressing certain Hotkeys, which are printed in bright red. (I think, it's a lot faster than mouse control). This should not be too difficult. If you need help, when you are in MAPPER, press 'F1'. Note: Sending and receiving Maps in the Usermap-Screen is only possible, if you have an IPX-driver loaded. If you want to send a Map (ALT-S) to any other player, the other computer has to be in Receive-Mode (ALT-R). -------------------- 5) TROUBLESHOOTING -------------------- 'External' : If you specified BUILD.EXE as external program and launch it while a usermap is selected, Build will be started with this usermap to be edited. According to the way Build handles maps loaded from the commandline, the map is copied temporarily to the Duke-Directory (where Build should be, too). After modifying this map and quitting Build, it is copied back to its original directory. Normally, you wouldn't recognize these copy routines, so why should I inform you about it !? Problem: When Build crashes during an editing session, the map will not be copied back to its origin. You can find the latest (saved) version of your map in the Duke-Directory. So you have to copy it back manually. What you never should do: - never modify the MAPPER.INI with a text-editor (this can cause MAPPER to crash) - never change the name of a usermap, started with BUILD from within MAPPER, while editing it (because of internal copy routines) - never copy the file MAPPER.INI from one computer to another, because in most cases the paths are not equal - create a new MAPPER.INI on each computer ------------ 6) CREDITS ------------ Special thanks to Markus Ansmann for helping me to become a better programmer, especially for the IPX-routines. Thanks for testing this program with me: Lars T. (Powerman) Jago (Stony) Jens (Iceman) Markus (McAnsi) Hendryk (Rincewind) Sebastian (Doominator) Kai (Schnorki) This program is dedicated to the rememberance of a good friend, who died (much too early) on January the 5th, 1997. ------------ 7) HISTORY ------------ v1.0 -> Initial Release. v1.1 -> * Fixed some minor bugs. * Support for the ATOMIC EDITION : - you can now warp to 4th episode - you can use 'Fake Multiplayer AI' v1.2 -> * Added 'Send multiple Maps'-feature. * Added 'Send selected Usermap' in Mainmenu. * Improved 'Change Resolution' after adding the vesa mode detection routines. v1.3 -> * Added possibility to add comments to describe or rate your maps * Added 2D-Preview for usermaps * Added statistical info for usermaps * Added possibility to add commandline parameters to adapt Mapper to your own needs * Added routine to add the Expander Weapon to older usermaps * Added Dukematch Special Modes