 | |
 Screenshot of QuArK's map editor. | |
| Latest release | 6.6.0 Beta 2 / 2009-01-30 |
|---|---|
| Written in | Delphi and Python |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
| Development status | Active |
| Type | level design tool |
| License | GPL[1] |
| Website | quark.planetquake.gamespy.com |
QuArK (aka Quake Army Knife), is a free and open source program for developing 3D assets for a large variety of video games[2], mostly first-person shooters using engines similar to or based on the Quake engine by id Software.
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[edit] Overview
QuArK has been named in reference to the quark fundamental particle and is released under the GNU General Public License[1]. It has the ability to directly edit maps and can import, export, manipulate and convert models, sounds, textures and various other game assets, or create any of these assets from scratch[3]. It is also possible to move or change dynamic game objects without the need to recompile the whole map which makes the finetuning of details quicker. QuArK uses external compilers (like Q3Map2) to produce the actual level-file used by the game. These compilers can be fully configured using their command-line parameters, and once done, QuArK remembers these settings so they can be used every time.
QuArK is a brush-based editor, featuring an interface similar to Windows with respect to selection and manipulation of items, with flyover hints and other forms of in-program documentation. It also offers a 3D textured view, where it is possible to see how the map or model will look in-game. This view can be rendered with a build-in software renderer, Glide, OpenGL or DirectX. It has three modes: wireframe, solid color and textured, and supports transparency and lighting in OpenGL mode.
Along with support for most games based on engines developed by id Software, QuArK also has support for other game engines such as Source, Genesis3D, 6DX, Crystal Space, Torque[4][5], and Sylphis 3D.
It is possible to add plugins, written in Python, to extend the capabilities of the editor, or to make changes to the official Python files to alter the way QuArK's functions work. More information about this can be found in the QuArK Infobase.
QuArK itself has very low system requirements[6], although a lot of additional resources are taken up by the loaded game data. That amount depends on the game-mode selected and the size and complexity of the map or model being editing. QuArK supports the Win32 platform, including Windows 95, NT, 98, ME, 2000 and XP. It also runs on 64-bit operating systems (in 32-bit mode), Windows Vista, and it can run under Unix-based platforms by using the Wine compatibility layer.
QuArK is one of the two most popular editors for Quake II, GtkRadiant being the other.[3]
[edit] History
QuArK initially started out as a Delphi program called "Quakemap", written by Armin Rigo in 1996 (the current version is written in Delphi and Python). There were plans to make a C++ version of QuArK (called QuArK++), but development on that project has stopped.
The lastest final version of QuArK was 6.3, released in January 2003[7]. However, since then many new alpha and beta versions have been released that have many new features, and include support for many new games. A small (and incomplete) overview of the major releases since 6.3[8]:
| Version | Last Release Date | Most Notable Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 6.4.1 Alpha | September 2003 | Support for Doom 3 and Half-Life 2. |
| 6.5.0 Alpha | July 2006 | Ability to display HL2 Materials. Fixed light entity dependency for OpenGL transparency to work feature. Added Quick Object Makers, to quickly create simple geometric shapes. Support for Doom 4. |
| 6.5.0 Beta | December 2007 | OpenGL rendering available in all editor windows. Fixed the Software & Glide lock-up and smearing problems. OpenGL lighting and transparency support. Fixed a whole load of memory leaks. Added QuArKSAS. Initial support for Star Trek: Elite Force 2. Ability to save .md3 models. |
| 6.6.0 Beta | January 2009 | Support for Team Fortress 2, Heavy Metal: F.A.K.K.², Prey (video game), Nexuiz and Warsow. Major support improvements for Star Trek: Elite Force 2. |
[edit] QuArKSAS
 | Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (April 2009) |
The QuArK Steam Access System, or QuArKSAS, is a command-line program that allows the user to extract files from the Steam Filesystem. It was written by the QuArK Development team for better support of Steam in QuArK.
[edit] Packages
The official package can be downloaded from the main website.
There are several unofficial packages available:
- 3D Development Pack is a custom installer to allow people to quickly and easily develop a 3D game using QuArK. It combines QuArK, Lazarus and GLScene.[9]
- Quark For GLScene is an install for QuArK that includes OpenBSP as the default compiler and doesn't need Quake installed.[9]
- The Garage Games website offers a custom installer, which will install QuArK with some additional files so it's ready to go and configured for Torque: Torque Game Engine Documentation.[9] (Link broken)
[edit] References
- ^ a b The Official QuArK website - Features
- ^ Pawel Lekki, Grzegorz Labuzek, Design and implementation of games based on existing graphics engines [1]
- ^ a b Summers, E, Getchell, K, Miller, A, Allison, C. In: Proc. 8th International Postgraduate Symposium on the Convergence of Telecommunications, Networking and Broadcasting, Liverpool John Moores University, UK. 2007. [2]
- ^ Finney, Kenneth V.. 3D Game Programming All in One (Course Technology PTR Game Development Series). Muska & Lipman/Premier-Trade. ISBN 1-59200-136-X.
- ^ Derek Nofsinger, Graphic Software Used in Game Design, April 11th, 2006, [3]
- ^ http://quark.planetquake.gamespy.com/features.php3#sysreqs
- ^ http://quark.planetquake.gamespy.com/download.php3
- ^ http://quark.planetquake.gamespy.com/archivednews.php3
- ^ a b c Note: The version of QuArK used in this package is not up-to-date.
[edit] External links
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