Just downloaded Batch Compiler and don't know what the hell to do with it? This little tutorial + should cover everything you need to know from how to set it up to how to compile your first map.
+ +First things first, if you don't already have the program head over to the downloads + page, pick it up and install it. The installer is a standard Windows installer so I will leave that to + your imagination.
+ +Once you have installed Batch Compiler start the program up. If you get an + error when you run it then you need the .NET framework which is linked to on the downloads + page. Batch Compiler should look like this when you start it up:
+ +
Now some of you may have noticed that there are no controls for compiling your map on the form. This + is because Batch Compiler 3.0.0 (and up) work with Batch Compiler Specification (BCS) files. These + wonderful dynamic configuration files allow you to use Batch Compiler to compile just about anything + that makes use of a batch file, be it a Half-Life map (which this tutorial works on), a map for + another game, or even such things as applications.
+ +Six specifications come with Batch Compiler (they can be found under the Specifications menu). + They are:
+ +-
+
- Quake Tools Legacy: The original Quake Tools specification. +
- Source Tools Advanced: The advanced Source Tools specification. Recommended for experianced + users. +
- SourceTools Normal: The standard Source Tools specification. Recommended for new users. + +
- Zoners Tools Advanced: The advanced Zoners Tools specification. Recommended for experianced + users. +
- Zoners Tools Legacy: The original Zoners Tools specification. +
- Zoners Tools Normal: The standard Zoners Tools specification. Recommended for new users. + +
You're welcome to use any specification you wish, I would, however, recommend the Zoners Tools Normal + specification because if you are reading this, you are probably a new user. You can always upgrade to + the Zoners Tools Advanced specification latter. If you are reading this tutorial you are setting Batch + Compiler up for Half-Life mapping so make sure you pick one of the specifications that has the word + Half-Life in it. To load the specification simply click it in the Specifications menu. + Your screen should look like this:
+ +
Now that we have the specification open, we need to proceed to set Batch Compiler up to use it. In + the Options menu click the Setup button. Your screen should look like this:
+ +
The General tab contains information specific to the editor itself. Its options are:
+ +-
+
- Opacity: Set the opacity of the program (make it see through). +
- Log Viewer: Set the program Batch Compiler uses to view LOG files. +
- Recent Files: Set the number of recent files to store, this is used for both BCP and MAP + files. +
- Associate With: Press the BCP Files button to associate BCP files with the editor. + When associated, double clicking a BCP (Batch Compiler Preset) file will launch Batch Compiler with + that preset loaded. +
When you first start Batch Compiler, Batch Compiler will try to find NotePad using system path + variables and set it as your Log Viewer. If your Log Viewer is not set you will have to + manually browse for an appropriate application. Some appropriate standard windows applications include + NotePad and WordPad.
+ +Once you are happy with your settings in the General tab, move over to the Stage Paths + tab. Your screen should look like this:
+ +
The Stage Paths tab allows you to set the paths to all the tools used in your current + specification. To begin specifying the paths select the BSP tool from the list of tools on your + screen. Once selected the bottom text box on the form changes its caption to read BSP Path, its + browse button also becomes active as shown below:
+ +The Stage Paths tab allows you to set the paths to all the tools used in your current + specification. Because we are using the Zoners Tools Normal specification file we will first need + these tools on our hard drive. If you do not already have Zoners Tools you can download the latest + version here or find it + in the Mapping Tools pack available here. + Note: the Zoners Tools Normal and Zoners Tools Advanced specifications make + use of Zoners Tools v3.0.0 and up.
+ +Once you have the tools we can continue with the tutorial. To begin specifying the paths select the + CSG tool from the list of tools on your screen. Once selected the bottom text box on the form changes + its caption to read CSG Path, its browse button also becomes active as shown below:
+ +
Now simply press the browse button (the button with the three dots) and browse to the file located on + your hard drive. Continue this process for all the reaming tools. Your screen should look something + like this:
+ +
Once you are happy with your settings in the Stage Paths tab, move over to the + Variables tab. Your screen should look like this:
+ +
The Variables tab allows you to set the paths to various other resources used in your current + specification. These paths are set in a similar mannor to those of the Stage Paths tab and + should be set as follows:
+ +WADRoot: (Game directory.)
+ +-
+
- Half-Life: ...\Steam\SteamApps\address@host.com\half-life +
- Day of Defeat (Official MODs): ...\Steam\SteamApps\address@host.com\day of defeat +
- Natural Selection (3rd Party MODs): ...\Steam\SteamApps\address@host.com\half-life +
Output: (BSP output directory.)
+ +-
+
- Half-Life: ...\Steam\SteamApps\address@host.com\half-life\valve\maps +
- Day of Defeat (Official MODs): ...\Steam\SteamApps\address@host.com\day of defeat\dod\maps + +
- Natural Selection (3rd Party MODs): ...\Steam\SteamApps\address@host.com\half-life\ns\maps + +
Your form should look something like this when you're all done:
+ +
Once you are happy with your paths click the OK button to return to Batch Compiler's main + screen. We are now going to go through the steps for creating a generic "Full" compile preset which + you can use for all your maps. Please continue to the next + page.
++
+
+ my thing is broken
+
+
+
+ When i start ms dos it just sys that same introduction and than it just stops ive made a map before it + used to work i dont know what happned. please help
+
+
+ first, make sure that you have all of the paths set up correctly
+
+ second, make sure that you have the correct settings for each of the compile tools
+
+ third, make sure that you do not have any errors in the DOS window.
+
+ if you can, copy the contents of the DOS window and paste it here.
+
+
+ if all else fails, try using the HL-Compiled installer (also on the Batch Compiler download page). this + will install the Batch Compiler, the latest compile tools, and will set it all up for you. the only + thing you need to do is to select the map and press run.
+
+
+
The "Variables" tab + basically replaces the Input and Ouput path in a more flexible way. For Half-Life specifications there + are two fields, these are:
-
+
- WADRoot: The same as the Input Path in this tutorial. +
- Output: The same as the Output Path in this tutorial. +
-
+
- BinRoot: The path to your bin folder in the sdk (where all the tools are located). +
- ValveProject: The path to the folder your GameInfo.txt file is in. +
- Output: The path to the folder to copy your .bsp files to. More less the same as the + Output Path in this tutorial. +
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ sounds like some of your paths are incorrectly setup.
+
+
+ ;)
+
+ Help me with "Ripent" What is that?
+
+ Where can i find that, and also, you said an MS-DOS screen pops up can compiles ur map... does the + MS-DOS screen stay there? or does it quickly disappear and compile unseen?
+
+
+ RipEnt is used for hand editing entities when either the .rmf source is not available or you don't want + to recompile.
+
+ The DOS window will stay open until you close it, if you have pause enabled in the options menu. You can + close Batch Compiler while you are compiling though.
+
+
+
+ +
+
+
+
+ Your console screen should remain open if "Pause Console" is enabled in the "Options" menu and you have + at least on stage checked to run (on the right). If there is a problem with it you might want to run the + compile.bat file BC generates (in your Batch Compiler directory) from an MS DOS command prompt to see + what the problem is.
+
+
+ Error creating batch script
+
+ Error: Outputpath it either not set, or invalid.
+
+ What do I do?
+
+
New users can register here. +