Qodot

Quake .map file support for Godot.

Overview

Qodot extends the Godot editor to import Quake .map files, and provides an extensible framework for converting the entities and brushes contained therein into a scene-based node hierarchy with custom properties.

Features

Natively import .map files into Godot
Supports
- Brush geometry
- Per-face textures and customized UVs
- Precise trimesh collision
- Entities with arbitrary collections of parameters
Extensible tree population
- Leverages the .map format's simple key/value property system
- Spawn custom entities and brushes
Supports the TrenchBroom editor
- Simple, intuitive map editor with a strong feature set
- Includes a simple Qodot game preset
- Can be built upon with game-specific entities and brush properties

Thesis

Qodot was created to solve a long-standing problem with modern game engines: The lack of simple, accessible level editing functionality for users without 3D modeling expertise.

Unity, Unreal and Godot are all capable of CSG to some extent or other with varying degrees of usability, but lack fine-grained direct manipulation of geometry, as well as per-face texture and UV manipulation. It's positioned more as a prototyping tool to be used ahead of a proper art pass than a viable methodology.

Conversely, dedicated 3D modeling packages like Maya or Blender are very powerful and can iterate fast in experienced hands, but have an intimidating skill floor for users with a programming-focused background that just want to build levels for their game.

Enter the traditional level editor: Simple tools built for games like Doom, Quake and Duke Nukem 3D that operate in the design language of a video game and are created for use by designers, artists and programmers alike. Thanks to years of community support, classic Quake is still alive, kicking, and producing high-quality content and mapping software alike. This continued popularity combined with its simplicity means the Quake .map format presents a novel solution.