Half-Life Compilation Controller v1.1

Unsupported Freeware courtesy of Gracelessland

No copyright, no nothin'.

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CONTENTS:

	INTRO
	INSTALLATION
	SETUP
	COMPILING
	RUNNING HALF-LIFE
	SAVING/RESTORING SETTINGS
	MUMBO JUMBO
	THANK-YOUS
	VERSION HISTORY

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INTRO:

If you've used the version of Worldcraft that comes with Half-Life, you know they screwed-up the "Run" dialog, which I hated in earlier versions even when it worked, anyway.

So, I wrote this utility to compile Half-Life levels for me. It creates a batch file with the appropriate command lines and then executes it. It can also execute Half-Life for you, automatically running your new level.

WARNING: This program is intended to be used by those who understand the command line options for QCSG, QBSP2, VIS, and QRAD. It doesn't replace the knowledge of how to write .BAT files, it just makes it easier.


INSTALLATION:

Unzip the archive somewhere nice. I created an \HLCC folder within my Worldcraft folder. The program only requires hlcc.exe to run, but the accompanying .INI file will set the program to it's default state.

IF YOU ARE UPGRADING FROM v1.0: DO NOT overwrite your hlcc.ini file - just replace your existing hlcc.exe. This will keep your settings intact.


SETUP:

Create a shortcut to hlcc.exe and place it with your Worldcraft shortcuts - makes it handy when you need it. Run the program, and here's what you'll see:

In the lower left you will see three tabs: Files, Params, and .BAT. Click the Files tab.

MAP: the path\filename of the .MAP file to compile

BSP: the path to the directory where the compiled .BSP file should be copied - usually the \valve\maps directory in your Half-Life folder.

TOOLS: the directory where QCSG, QBSP2, VIS, and QRAD are located - usually your \Worldcraft folder. This is where HLCC will save the hlcc.bat file that it generates.

HALF-LIFE: the path\filename of the Half-Life .exe file (usually \Half-Life\hl.exe).

COMMAND LINE: any command line parameters you want to pass to Half-Life. I usually put at least -console in here.

That's it - once you set-up these five edit boxes, HLCC is ready to use.


COMPILING:

To compile a .MAP file set the parameters in the Params tab the way you want them and click the COMPILE button on the Files tab. If a check box is unchecked, or an edit box is blank, then that option will NOT be added to the command line.

On the Files tab, to the left of the COMPILE button, are four buttons for the four compilation programs. If a button is down, a command line will be placed in the hlcc.bat file for that program. Otherwise, if the button is up, no command line will be generated, and that program will not be run. This lets you quicky select to do a build with no VIS or lighting, for example.

When you click COMPILE, HLCC generates a command line for each program, as well as a DOS COPY command to copy the .BSP file, and places them in the text area of the .BAT tab. This text is saved as the hlcc.bat file, and then the file is executed.

If you un-check the "Generate BAT File" check box, no command lines will be generated. Instead, whatever text is in the .BAT tab will be saved and executed. This way, you can use the Load File button on the .BAT tab to load a batch file, and then execute it. With the Save As button, you can save HLCC generated batch files for different compilations, and recall them when you need them.

Text in the .BAT tab is fully editable, and supports cut, copy, and paste with the clipboard.


RUNNING HALF-LIFE:

Click the HALF-LIFE button to execute Half-Life with your new level. The "+map" option will be set automatically, and any options set in the COMMAND LINE edit box in the Files tab will be added.


SAVING/RESTORING SETTINGS:

HLCC automatically saves all settings upon exit, and restores them from the hlcc.ini file upon startup. Once you set-up a compile for a particular map you are working on, just launch the program and click COMPILE to build it.

Version 1.1 includes the ability to store and retrieve parameter settings in .STG files. Simply use the STORE button, enter a filename, and the settings are saved. To retrieve settings, select the .STG file you want from the list, and click the RETRIEVE button. This makes-up for HLCC's inability to restore it's parameter settings from a saved .BAT file (hey, I've got a day job). Now, you can save settings for all sorts of compile scenarios, and then generate a .BAT for any map file you want. Notice that your File tab settings ARE NOT included in the .STG file - only the Params tab stuff is.

.STG files are stored in the same directory the hlcc.exe file resides in.


MUMBO JUMBO:

This is FREEWARE developed by Ocean Telek and distributed by Gracelessland. Please report any bugs to edict@pacbell.net. This is an unsupported product, and any requests for support will be rudely ignored.

HLCC is based on an earlier program called Quakenstein, also developed at Ocean Telek, and never to be seen by the eyes of humanity.


THANK-YOUS:

Thanks to autolycus at The Half-Life Editing Resource Center for carrying the file on his most excellent site, and for the original idea (he was writing batch files MANUALLY, for God's sake!).

http://halflife.gamedesign.net (check it out)

Thanks to the Valvatians for the game - I haven't peed my jeans playing a game since DOOM, kids.

Thanks to Ben Morris for Worldcraft, and the many hours of pleasure it has given me. He is truly the Architect of Dreams.

The usual obsequious thanks to Carmack et al at id for the Quake engines.


-theAntiELVIS-

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VERSION HISTORY:

v.1.1 12/21/1998 - upgrade
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= Rearranged the interface to be easier to use

= Added ability to store and retrieve parameter settings

= Added nifty new logo graphic


v.1.0 12/17/1998 - the Original
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