Going back to DoomEd 4.2

So I recently discovered I can run DoomEd 4.2 through emulated windows in DOSBOX. I thought it'd be fun to try and make a simple map with this editor, you know to see how it was done back in the day. I know we have things like Doombuilder etc but it's nice to see a bit of history that was before my time. I was born in 91, so this stuff came out whilst I was still a child.

That said, I have absolutely no idea now to navigate this software nor how to begin using it, is there a user manual somewhere, quick tutorial perhaps? Perhaps someone who used it could give me some pointers?

Please note, I'm choosing to use this editor, I know there are easier ones. Heck if it were up to me I'd go even further back and use the OG editor Romero used on the NextStep if I could figure out how to get it running. This is a learning exercise :)

Paging @Doomkid.

Well, I couldn’t get much out of them, but I know @xvertigox has also been messing with DOS tools for Doom lately and he might have something to add. One thing though, you MUST change directory (CD) to the dir that whatever editor you’re using is in. I tried running them from parent directories and stuff ages ago but DOS doesn’t like that, but I had no clue at the time.

If you’re just looking to use any DOS editor from the 90’s to really appreciate how hard Doom modding was back then, some may be easier than others and worth poking around in just to see which one is the “least hard”. I have a big list of DOS doomy tools back on my PC which I’ll post later, but here’s the DOS level editors hosted on Doomworld:

http://www.doomworld.com/3ddownloads/files/dck22f.zip

http://www.doomworld.com/3ddownloads/files/deth424.zip

http://www.doomworld.com/3ddownloads/files/deu521.zip

http://www.doomworld.com/3ddownloads/files/dmaped43.zip

http://www.doomworld.com/3ddownloads/files/edmap131.zip

http://www.doomworld.com/3ddownloads/files/waded183.zip

There are more floating out there, stunningly. While it won’t be focused on mapping, I am in the early stages of a video of how to use other DOS utilities for Doom, such as DeHackEd, DeuTex, and so forth. It may be a few months off yet..

On 8/10/2019 at 3:59 AM, Euden said:

Please note, I'm choosing to use this editor, I know there are easier ones. Heck if it were up to me I'd go even further back and use the OG editor Romero used on the NextStep if I could figure out how to get it running.

Back when the source for DoomEd was released someone actually put together a working virtual machine that could run the editor. Don't have the link to it, unfortunately, but maybe someone else does.

I've had the exact same thought as you @Euden! I'm in the process of getting everything sorted so I can make a 90s style wad with authentic tools.

I've actually just written up a quick guide on how to get DMapEdit running and able to produce maps. The best bet in my experience is to use DOS 6.22 in a VM (VirtualBox) with maybe Win98 over the top for easier file transfer to the host machine. I'll send you a PM.

@Euden xvertigox just sent me this 16 page PDF for DMapEdit. Whenever he finishes the quick guide he's working on, using the two in tandem should make things a whole lot easier. https://docdro.id/bEYwibT

DEU or DETH I could help you with.  DoomEd I never used.

On 8/12/2019 at 8:16 PM, boris said:

 

Back when the source for DoomEd was released someone actually put together a working virtual machine that could run the editor. Don't have the link to it, unfortunately, but maybe someone else does.

I'd love to see this, go even further back and use the NextStep Editor!