I'm new to DooM editing, but I would like to get involved. I've read alot about DECORATE & it would seem to be an ideal program for messing around with in game information such as character classess & damage information, but i don't get WHAT decorate even is or how it's implemented.
Secondly, any tips on which map/wad editors seem to be most convienat to use (primarily for noobs)?
This is all very new to me, but if anything I want to know how I can start messing around with DECORATE, but to do so I need to understand what it even is for starters & how one utilizes it.
I have ZDooM & I am familar with Line Code as I've messed around with scripting in another game, so i think I'd be able to get this down with enough time & effort.
Any input?
Define DECORATE...
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Before asking on how to use a ZDoom feature, read the ZDoom wiki first. This forum is archived - please use this set of forums to ask new questions.
Before asking on how to use a ZDoom feature, read the ZDoom wiki first. This forum is archived - please use this set of forums to ask new questions.
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TheHorseRipper
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:36 pm
- Location: Pandemonium, Trapped in my Head, USA
Re: Define DECORATE...
To actually edit DECORATE, and WADs in general, you will need a lump editor. The two biggies are XWE and SlumpEd. (Google will help you find those.) Most people will recommend SlumpEd, because it's much more user-friendly and is more versatile.
You can edit DECORATE in a text editor (like Notepad++, or just notepad if you want) or anything else than can export plain text, then load it into a WAD to run it. As for getting started on [wiki]DECORATE[/wiki], click that link and start checking out tutorials!
Oh, I got a bit ahead of myself.
One of the best ways to learn DECORATE (and anyone will tell you, me included, it's much easier than reading tutorials) is to dissect other peoples' DECORATE and see what does what. It's how most of us learned, and continue to improve our skills.
And so you know, unlike code you might be used to writing, DECORATE (and all of ZDoom's other languages, aside from ACS and Strife Dialogue) does not require compiling; it's human-readable.
You can edit DECORATE in a text editor (like Notepad++, or just notepad if you want) or anything else than can export plain text, then load it into a WAD to run it. As for getting started on [wiki]DECORATE[/wiki], click that link and start checking out tutorials!
Oh, I got a bit ahead of myself.
One of the best ways to learn DECORATE (and anyone will tell you, me included, it's much easier than reading tutorials) is to dissect other peoples' DECORATE and see what does what. It's how most of us learned, and continue to improve our skills.And so you know, unlike code you might be used to writing, DECORATE (and all of ZDoom's other languages, aside from ACS and Strife Dialogue) does not require compiling; it's human-readable.
Last edited by Ceeb on Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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TheHorseRipper
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:36 pm
- Location: Pandemonium, Trapped in my Head, USA
Re: Define DECORATE...
Thanks... I've downloaded XWE a while ago but haven't messed around with it enough. Again thanks, I'm simply going to have to put time into understanding all these facets as they come together (Wads, Lumps, Decorate...)
I'll keep researching this stuff.
I'll keep researching this stuff.
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TheHorseRipper
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:36 pm
- Location: Pandemonium, Trapped in my Head, USA
Re: Define DECORATE...
Do you know if i Can I use XWE in any way to look into these wads & other peoples Decorate files?
Re: Define DECORATE...
Absolutely! Just beware, any changes you make with XWE can't be undone, so make a backup of the WAD you open.TheHorseRipper wrote:Do you know if i Can I use XWE in any way to look into these wads & other peoples Decorate files?
Just look for a lump called DECORATE and you're set.
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TheHorseRipper
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:36 pm
- Location: Pandemonium, Trapped in my Head, USA
Re: Define DECORATE...
I'm still gonna have to toy with it more so I can see what does what. I have a couple interesting wads I can start with (Zblood, NeoDoom...)
(partially Off topic) So have you ever edited Strife? I think with the right scripting there could be some really cool Wads for that game, but it doesn't seem to be a popular approach as compared to the other Doom Engine games. Would Strife be a more difficult editing approach as compared to DooM? (provided you're familar with Strife, of course)
(partially Off topic) So have you ever edited Strife? I think with the right scripting there could be some really cool Wads for that game, but it doesn't seem to be a popular approach as compared to the other Doom Engine games. Would Strife be a more difficult editing approach as compared to DooM? (provided you're familar with Strife, of course)
Re: Define DECORATE...
I'm familiar with all of them. 
No, but really, editing for Strife isn't very hard. It's fundamentally the same as Doom when it comes to making maps, and if you use Strife In Hexen mode, then you can use the extremely powerful ACS scripting language.
However, the one hurdle I see is the dialogue, which requires a tool called Kaiser's Strife Script Compiler. (Although there's another tool that runs on Java, which is also pretty good.) Unfortunately, it's pretty hard to figure out, and the only WAD I've actually seen it used in is Community Is Falling 3, a WAD with so much insane scripting and other stuff going on that I can't begin to figure out what does what.
Anyway, I'm rambling, sorry.
I would suggest you start off in Doom and get the hang of mapping (assuming that you're a newbie to that too) and ACS (something you won't regret learning 
) as well as figure out DECORATE. Then, after you've made a few maps, I'd recommend you try Strife. Anyway, I know all that seems like a lot to ask, but don't try to learn everything at once. I'm competant in scripting, but there's stuff I don't know; what I do is learn things on an as-needed basis. Just figure out the syntax, and write something simple, then say "Hey, I want my monster to do this right here", and then you ask on the forum and look through the Wiki for a function that does what you want. It just takes practice and good searching skills.
No, but really, editing for Strife isn't very hard. It's fundamentally the same as Doom when it comes to making maps, and if you use Strife In Hexen mode, then you can use the extremely powerful ACS scripting language.
However, the one hurdle I see is the dialogue, which requires a tool called Kaiser's Strife Script Compiler. (Although there's another tool that runs on Java, which is also pretty good.) Unfortunately, it's pretty hard to figure out, and the only WAD I've actually seen it used in is Community Is Falling 3, a WAD with so much insane scripting and other stuff going on that I can't begin to figure out what does what.
Anyway, I'm rambling, sorry.
I would suggest you start off in Doom and get the hang of mapping (assuming that you're a newbie to that too) and ACS (something you won't regret learning ) as well as figure out DECORATE. Then, after you've made a few maps, I'd recommend you try Strife. Anyway, I know all that seems like a lot to ask, but don't try to learn everything at once. I'm competant in scripting, but there's stuff I don't know; what I do is learn things on an as-needed basis. Just figure out the syntax, and write something simple, then say "Hey, I want my monster to do this right here", and then you ask on the forum and look through the Wiki for a function that does what you want. It just takes practice and good searching skills.