Tool Box Compilation Controller

THE MAIN TBCC SCREEN

NOTE: While it is possible to launch multiple instances of TBCC from the Navigator, it IS NOT recommended. ALL instances will use the SAME TBCC.ini file, which will almost certainly cause trouble! This will be fixed in a future version (I swear!).

TOOL LIST

All compiling tools available in the current configuration appear in the Tool List directly under the COMPILE button. Each of these tools represents a command line program. When you select a tool, its command line parameters appear in the Parameter Grid on the right.

The Batch Manager creates command lines for those tools with a check mark to the left of the entry in the Tool List. You can forego the lighting of your maps by unchecking the radiosity tool, for instance. Ordinarily you want all tools checked.

MAP LIST

You can add, remove, or change the order of the maps you want to compile. While TBCC only displays the actual filename, internally it stores the entire path - so no problem if two maps have the same name but are in different directories. The highlighted map is used by the LAUNCH buttons on the left.

PARAMETER GRID

You set the values for a tool program's command line parameters in the Parameter Grid. There are four kinds of parameters:

SWITCH - A switch is a simple on/off command. Generally the command appears in the command line if the switch is on, and is left out of the command line if the switch is off. The VIS programs have a switch called "-fast", for example. Double-click a switch's value in the grid to toggle it between OFF and ON.

VALUE - A value is any contiguous string of characters. Most often used for numbers. Values usually have a command followed by a space and the string in the command line. For example, the RAD programs have "-ambient 150" as a value parameter. Double-click a value in the grid to set it to its default, otherwise type it in.

FILE - Double-click a file parameter to open a standard Windows file selection dialog.

DIRECTORY - Double-click a directory parameter to open a directory selection dialog.

Information about the selected parameter appears below the Grid. TBCC saves your parameter settings between sessions, so it always opens the way you left it - WITH THE EXCEPTION of the check marks in the Tool List - they are always checked when the program starts.

COMPILE and BAT MANAGER

These both launch the Batch Manager. The COMPILE button automatically starts a compile, using whatever map files are in the Map List of the Batch Manager. The BAT MANAGER button simply launches the Batch Manager, so you can use it before manually clicking the big compile button there.

CONFIGURATION (has configuration name as caption - above PARAMETER LIST)

Launches the Configuration Editor. You will most often use this to create, edit, and save a configuration. TBCC comes with these pre-edited configurations:

HALF-LIFE: Standard and Zoner's Half-Life Tools

QUAKE 2: Standard and ArghRAD

QUAKE 3: Standard Q3Map tool

Most users may use this feature once or twice. Advanced users will want to use the Configuration Editor to create their own configs. Finally, you can keep up with all those updates Zoner puts out! When he adds a new command line parameter, you can just add it in the Configuration Editor! Woo Hoo!

Additionally, you can create configs for ANY game that is based on the Quake .map file format, and which uses command line tools for compiling. Games like F.A.K.K.2, Soldier of Fortune, or KingPin, for example, can easily be configured for.

LOAD and SAVE SETTINGS

You can save the current Parameter Grid settings as a .settings file. You can then re-load these saved settings. NOTE: Obviously, saved settings will not work with different game configurations! You should not load settings saved from a Half-Life config into a Quake 3 config, for example.

USER GUIDE

Launches this Help document in your Web browser.

VIEW

This just opens and closes the Parameters pane of the main screen. When concentrating on working in your map editor, you may prefer to close the Parameters pane while doing quick "rough builds". When working with precise lighting adjustments, or doing final builds, you may want to open the Parameters pane.

EXIT

Shuts TBCC down. All current settings are saved in the files tbcc.ini and initial.settings - you should never alter these files! (Really!)