home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
The Pier Shareware 6
/
The_Pier_Shareware_Number_6_(The_Pier_Exchange)_(1995).iso
/
021
/
du105.zip
/
DOOMUTIL.TXT
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-10-27
|
97KB
|
2,470 lines
DOOMUTIL USER'S MANUAL
VERSION 1.05
David W. Poole, Jr.
PO. Box 747
Pacolet, SC 27342
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
Table Of Contents
Introduction .............................................i
Features .................................................ii
Installation and Quick Start .............................1
General Program Usage ....................................3
Menus ...................................................3
Field Editors ...........................................3
List Browsers ...........................................4
Differences with WAD selection.........................4
Hot Keys ................................................5
Information Windows .....................................5
Main Menu Functions ......................................6
Exit DOOMUTIL ...........................................6
DOOM (1 or 2) ...........................................6
DOOM 1 ..................................................6
DOOM 2 ..................................................6
Configure ...............................................6
WADs ....................................................6
Miscellaneous ...........................................6
Session .................................................6
Configuration Menu .......................................7
Current Game Configuration. .............................7
Play Mode..............................................7
Episode (DOOM edition 1 only)..........................8
Mission................................................8
Skill..................................................8
Monsters...............................................8
Respond................................................8
Death Match............................................8
Alternate Death Match..................................9
Fast Monsters..........................................9
Turbo..................................................9
Timer..................................................9
Optional Parameters....................................9
Load Game from Slot....................................9
Serial Configuration ....................................10
Modem COM Port:........................................10
Direct Connect COM Port:...............................10
Dial:..................................................10
Server Name:...........................................11
Network Configuration ...................................11
Socket.................................................11
Server Name............................................11
New Game Player Count..................................11
Edit Program Configuration ..............................11
Text Editor............................................12
WAD Editor.............................................12
Path to DOOM...........................................12
Path to DOOM ][........................................12
Path to WADs...........................................13
Swap to EMS............................................13
Swap to XMS ............
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
Boss Mode..............................................13
Boss Command...........................................13
Use Log File...........................................13
Use Auto Build WAD.....................................13
Auto Build PWAD name...................................14
View WAD command.......................................14
DOOM Response file.....................................14
Lump sprites & floors..................................14
Edit MODEM.CFG ..........................................14
Run ID's SETUP ..........................................15
WADS .....................................................16
Selection Menu ..........................................16
Select WAD files.......................................16
Select All WAD files...................................18
Deselect All WAD files.................................18
Invert WAD selection...................................18
Change Sorting Order...................................18
Save Selection to file.................................18
Load Selection from file...............................18
Merge Selection from file..............................19
Generate Selected WAD list.............................19
Force Refresh of all WADs ...............................19
Force Refresh of selected WADs ..........................19
Backup Selected WAD files. ..............................19
Restore Selected WAD files. .............................19
List WAD files. .........................................20
Build new WAD from selected PWADs. ......................20
Episode/Mission Menu. ...................................20
Modify Episode & Mission for PWADs.....................20
Globally Modify Episode & Mission for PWADs............20
Incrementally Modify Episode & Mission for PWADs.......20
THING Menu ..............................................20
Invert Selected WADs things Death Match Status.........21
Remove Selected WADs things Death Match Status.........21
Randomize Selected WADs things with user seed..........21
Replace one thing with another.........................21
Sector Menu .............................................21
Highlight SECTORs......................................21
Maximize Brightness of SECTORs.........................22
Remove Damaging SECTORs................................22
Miscellaneous ............................................23
Access Dialing Directory ................................23
Launch External DOOM Editor. ............................23
Register DOOMUTIL .......................................23
Session ..................................................24
New Session .............................................25
Save Session ............................................25
Load Session ............................................25
Resume Last Saved Game ..................................25
Hints, problems, and observations. .......................26
Problem: Some of my WAD files do not show up in
DOOMUTIL. ...............................................26
Problem: DOOMUTIL crashes when scanning my WAD files. ...26
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
Problem: SERSETUP crashes when used with multiple
WADs. ...................................................27
Problem: DOOM aborts multiple player sessions with a
consistency failure. ....................................27
Problem: DOOMUTIL complains about "Command Line Too
Long", and won't invoke DOOM. ...........................30
Using DOOMUTIL to manage sessions. ......................30
Using DOOMUTIL to learn new WADs quickly. ...............31
Using DOOMUTIL to add life to old levels. ...............31
Using DOOMUTIL to exchange WADs with other DOOMers. .....32
Contacting the Author ....................................34
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
Introduction
DOOMUTIL was originally written to eliminate the need
to use the setup program supplied with DOOM when
attempting to initiate multiple player games.
As new facets of DOOMing were encountered (PWADs,
version 1.666, DOOM ][, WAD building via DEU, and
playing against various opponents), features were added
to DOOMUTIL to support these.
I hope that you'll find DOOMUTIL to be a worthy
accessory to your DOOMing system. It's a powerful
utility. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU READ THE
PROGRAM CONFIGURATION SECTION BEFORE RUNNING DOOMUTIL
FOR THE FIRST TIME.
Page i
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
Features
DOOMUTIL offers many features for controlling your DOOM
system. Some of these features include:
SESSION MANAGEMENT DOOMUTIL Manages sessions for
you, allowing you to quickly
resume a saved game for any
player. With session
management, you can play DOOM
deathmatch against one player,
DOOM ][ Cooperative against
another, have a WAD
development session, and have
a single player session,
without having to worry about
re configuring for a
particular use of DOOM. As
many sessions can be
maintained as your disk space
allows.
VERSATILE WAD CONTROL DOOMUTIL provides many
functions for managing and
modifying any PWADs you have
accumulated or created.
DOOMUTIL supports PWAD files
for DOOM 1 or 2, and during
the selection process, tells
you if a selected WAD file
contains levels for the
currently configured version
of DOOM. DOOMUTIL also
displays the suitability of a
selected PWAD (if levels are
present) for multiple player
sessions. This suitability is
based on the presence of
enough multiple player starts,
(cooperative and competitive),
and methods of exiting the
level.
Also displayed is a
consistency value, used for
verification BEFORE DOOM IS
INVOKED, of the consistency
value of a level. This
prevents interruption in mid-
session due to the dreaded
Page ii
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
"consistency failure" when a
new level is loaded.
DOOMUTIL provides the ability
to modify the episode and
mission for selected WADs, so
that you can create your own
scenario based on the WADs
you've selected, and arrange
them in any order you like.
DOOMUTIL provides functions to
modify the WADs, and quickly
restore the WAD to it's
original condition as you see
fit. The file used to restore
the WAD to it's original state
is often a fraction of the
original file size.
The modifications that can be
performed to THINGs are:
Randomization (a user provided
seed value is used, allowing
support for multiple player
randomized WADs!! Great for
tired old levels!!), removal
of Multiple Player status
(modifies the WAD so that
things normally present only
in multiple player session are
available for single players,
adds more stuff to most
levels), inversion of Multiple
player status (things present
only in multiple player games
will be available to a single
player, things common to both
single player and multiple
player will be available only
for multiple player. Handy
for newbies to learn where the
"toys" are, in preparation for
deathmatchs).
The modifications that can be
performed to SECTORS are:
Removal of damaging sector
status (no more hurting in
slime baths), full
illumination (no more dark
rooms), and secret sector
illumination (all normal areas
Page iii
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
are fully illuminated, areas
considered secret blink).
Support is also provided for
WAD developers. A keystroke
is all that's required to
invoke a configured WAD editor
on a given WAD, and launch
DOOM upon return from the
editor.
Serial/Network support Support is provided for any
second party serial or network
drivers. Independent
configuration is provided for
DOOM 1 & 2.
Page iv
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
Installation and Quick Start
NOTE: For the purpose of this document, version will
refer to the version of the DOOM engine (as of this
writing, it's 1.666 for both DOOM 1 and DOOM 2), and
edition will refer to the copy of DOOM (1 or 2).
DOOMUTIL currently supports DOOM editions 1 and 2, and
has been tested with DOOM versions 1.2 and 1.666.
Before installing DOOMUTIL, it's strongly recommended
that you copy all WAD files, except for DOOM.WAD, and
DOOM2.WAD, to their own directory. This is to reduce
confusion when DOOMUTIL scans for WAD files.
Improperly configuring DOOMUTIL will result in certain
WADs appearing twice in the list, and will generally
make life difficult.
To install DOOMUTIL, copy DOOMUTIL.WAD, DOOMUTIL.EXE, &
DOOMUTIL.WK1 to a directory in your path. It's
recommended that you do not install DOOMUTIL in the
same directory containing your WADs, DOOM 1, or DOOM 2.
This is because DOOMUTIL does not need to reside in the
DOOM 1 or DOOM 2 directory to invoke the desired
edition of DOOM. This allows you to play either
edition of DOOM at any time, regardless of your current
drive and directory.
The first time DOOMUTIL is executed, a configuration
screen is presented. Various aspects of DOOMUTIL's
configuration are presented from this screen. The most
important configuration options are the "Path" fields.
Specify the complete drives and paths for each of these
values. If, for some reason, you've decided not to
take the earlier advice of moving your PWADs to their
own directory, leave the entry for "Path to PWADS"
blank. IF ANY OF THESE ENTRIES IS DUPLICATED IN
ANOTHER FIELD, THERE WILL BE MULTIPLE COPIES OF WADS IN
THOSE DIRECTORIES IN THE WAD SELECTION LIST. GOOD
LUCK!!
The remainder of the program configuration fields are
not as important, and are detailed in the Program
Configuration section. Save your changes by pressing
the <Ctrl-Enter> key sequence.
You are now at DOOMUTIL's Main Menu. To quickly start
DOOM 1 or 2, press <1> or <2>, depending on the edition
you wish to play. Then press <D>, which will invoke
DOOM. If you are playing DOOM 1, you'll start DOOM in
Episode 1, Skill Level 4. If you are playing DOOM 2,
you'll start DOOM in Skill Level 4.
Page 1
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
To change these settings, from the Main Menu, select
"Configure|Modify Current Game Configuration". Again,
save your changes with the <Cntl-Enter> keyboard
sequence. Starting DOOM from the main menu will
execute DOOM with your new settings.
Page 2
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
General Program Usage
User interaction with DOOMUTIL is performed using
either the keyboard or a mouse, if present. DOOMUTIL's
user interface consists of 5 methods: Menus, Field
Editors, List Browsers, Hot Keys, and Information
Windows. All methods except for Hot Keys and
Information Windows are two-way communication methods.
Their usage is detailed below:
Menus
All functions provided by DOOMUTIL can be reached
through the menu system. The various functions
supported by DOOMUTIL are detailed later, and are
reached through a hierarchical menu structure.
Menu functions are invoked using one of three methods.
The first is the cursor control keys. These keys can
be used to move the highlighting from entry to entry,
until the desired entry is highlighted. The function
is then invoked by pressing <Enter>. Pressing <Escape>
is the same as selecting the first option (which is
always to exit the current menu) and pressing <Enter>
The second is the alphanumeric keys. Each entry in the
menu has a character that is highlighted, to inform the
user which key will invoke this function. Pressing the
key immediately invoked the corresponding function.
The third is the mouse. Positioning the mouse cursor
on the desired function, and clicking the left mouse
button will invoke the function. The right mouse
button functions as the Escape key, outlined in the
first method of menu usage.
Field Editors
Field Editors allow the user to communicate with
DOOMUTIL in context sensitive method. Information that
is associated with other information is placed into
fields, and the field editor is present to the user to
allow modification of desired fields. Some fields
allow the user to launch a menu (such as skill setting
in game configuration) or a list browser (such as the
file name for load session).
Movement from field to field is performed with the up
and down arrow keys, or the <Enter> key, or by
positioning the mouse cursor in the desired field and
left clicking. The left and right arrow keys allow for
Page 3
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
positioning within the current field. Special
functions that are field dependent are described at the
bottom of the current window.
To save changes, you must press <Ctrl-Enter>. Pressing
<Escape> discards all changes made.
List Browsers
List browsers are provided when DOOMUTIL needs
information from the user regarding some list, such as
WADs or File Names. With the exception of WAD
selection, all list browsers function identically. The
differences of the WAD list browser are explained at
the end this section.
To select an entry with the keyboard, use the cursor
control keys to move the highlight bar to the desired
entry, and press <Enter>. If you wish to abandon your
selection, or leave it unchanged, press <Escape>.
To select an entry with the mouse, position the mouse
cursor to the desired entry, and left click. Right
clicking the mouse while in the window functions as the
<Escape> key, described above. If the list exceeds the
size of the window containing it, place the cursor on
the top or bottom line of the window. Left clicking at
this time scrolls the window one line in the desired
direction. Right clicking scrolls the window one page
in the desired direction. Middle clicking scrolls the
window to the end of the list, in the desired
direction.
Differences with WAD selection.
The WAD List Browser functions differently than the
other list browsers. This is because the WAD list
browser allows the selection of MULTIPLE entries at a
given time, versus single item selection with the
remainder of the list browsers. Multiple item
selection affects the browser as follows:
Items are selected or de selected by pressing the Space
bar or left mouse button while the item is highlighted.
After this, you are allowed to select or de-select
other WADs until you are satisfied with your selection
set.
To end the selection process with the keyboard, press
<Enter> to save changes to your selection, or <Escape>
to discard them. To end the selection process with the
mouse, position the cursor in the window, and Right
Page 4
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
click to save your selections, or middle click to
discard them.
NOTE: THE WAD SELECTION PROCESS IS THE ONLY INTERACTIVE
PROCESS THAT MODIFIES THE ACTIVE CONFIGURATION AS IT IS
BEING PERFORMED. ALL OTHER CONFIGURATION OPTIONS ARE
NOT MADE ACTIVE UNTIL THEY ARE CONFIRMED (<ENTER> FOR
OTHER LIST BROWSERS, <CTRL-ENTER> FOR FIELD EDITORS).
If you are a registered user of DOOMUTIL, and use the
hot key sequence to invoke DOOM while in the WAD
selection browser, changes made to your selection will
be made used for the DOOM session. Conversely, if you
are modifying the game configuration and invoke DOOM
using the hot key sequence, changes in your game
configuration that been made since the last <CNTL-
ENTER> will not be in effect.
Hot Keys
Hot keys are only available to registered owners of
DOOMUTIL. These keys can be used any time DOOMUTIL is
awaiting input from the user.
ALT-B Begin DOOM with current configuration.
ALT-C Modify Current Game Configuration.
ALT-D DOS Shell.
ALT-I Program Information. Displays memory
available to DOOMUTIL.
ALT-M Launch Configured DOOM Editor.
ALT-P Edit Program Configuration
ALT-W WAD Functions.
ALT-X Immediate Exit from DOOMUTIL.
Information Windows
From time to time, DOOMUTIL will present the user with
information regarding a choice that has been made.
After the information has been viewed, the user informs
DOOMUTIL to continue with operation by pressing any
key. Occasionally, DOOMUTIL will require an answer to
the information, such as "Do you really want to over
write this file?" At these times, the information
window will inform the user to press a specified key
sequence (usually <Ctrl-F10>) to confirm their choice.
Page 5
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
Main Menu Functions
Exit DOOMUTIL
Quite simply, this ends DOOMUTIL. All settings are
saved for your next session with DOOMUTIL.
DOOM (1 or 2)
Starts the selected edition of DOOM (signified by the
number in parenthesis).
DOOM 1
Selects DOOM 1 for the desired edition of DOOM. Note
that changes made to game configuration, serial server,
network server, or selected WADs are independent of
changes made to these for DOOM 2.
DOOM 2
Selects DOOM 2 for the desired edition of DOOM. Note
that changes made to game configuration, serial server,
network server, or selected WADs are independent of
changes made to these for DOOM 1.
Configure
Activates the configuration menu, outlined below.
WADs
Activates the WAD menu, outlined below.
Miscellaneous
Activates the Miscellaneous functions menu. These are
functions that don't really have a place anywhere else,
so they are included on this menu. This menu is
detailed elsewhere.
Session
Activates the session management menu. These functions
are detailed elsewhere.
Page 6
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
Configuration Menu
The configuration menu controls all aspects of DOOM,
with the exception of the selected WADs. The
configuration values are categorized by type. This
allows for a one-time configuration of serial and
network server configurations.
With respect to the various configuration options,
DOOMUTIL manages unique configurations for the current
game, serial server, and network server for both
editions of DOOM. Changes made while one version of
DOOM is selected will have no effect on the settings
for the other version of DOOM. This means that you'll
have to configure the serial server and network server
(if you'll be using them) twice; once with each edition
of DOOM selected. The program configuration is not
tied to either edition of DOOM, and thus does not have
this restriction.
Current Game Configuration.
This invokes a field editor that allows for
configuration of game settings. As mentioned
elsewhere, two sets of configurations are maintained,
one for each edition of DOOM.
Play Mode
This field accepts one of 4 values.
A "S" designates single player mode.
A "M" designates modem play, and will place the
configured serial driver into dial or answer mode based
on the contents of the Dial field in the Serial Server
configuration.
A "D" designates direct serial play. Use this if you
are playing across a null model serial connection, or
if you are playing across a modem where the connection
has already been established with another utility. No
dialing will be attempted for this type of
configuration.
A "N" designates network play. To specify the number
of players in a network session where a new game is
being initiated, use the Network Server Configuration
option.
Page 7
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
Episode (DOOM edition 1 only)
Select which of the three episodes you wish to play.
If the value of this field is changed, and you've
selected a saved game (described below), then the save
game slot is automatically replaced with 0, specifying
a new game.
Pressing the <F10> key when modifying this field brings
up a menu, allowing you to select the desired episode.
Mission
This allows you to specify the initial mission to begin
game play. As with the episode field, changing the
mission when a load game slot is selected results in a
0 being placed into the game slot field, specifying a
new game.
Pressing the <F10> key when modifying this field brings
up a menu for DOOM 1, or a browse list for DOOM 2,
allowing you to select the desired mission.
Skill
This field allows you to select the skill setting for
the session you are configuring. Pressing <F10>
presents a menu with the various skill settings
available. Nightmare mode is omitted, as this is
merely Skill 4, with Respond and Fast Monsters fields
set to "Y".
Monsters
This "Y"es or "N"o field allows you to select the
presence of monsters in your session.
Respond
This "Y"es or "N"o field allows you to specify if
killed monsters reappear after they've been killed.
Death Match
This "Y"es or "N"o field allows you to specify if the
session will be a death match session. Note that
single player sessions can play death match. In this
manner, the player possesses all keys, and starts from
the death match entry points, as opposed to the normal
Player 1 entry point, upon starting the game, or
starting from being killed.
Page 8
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
Alternate Death Match
Note: This option valid only for DOOM versions 1.666
and later.
This "Y"es or "N"o field allows you to specify Death
Match 2.0 rules. In this manner, weapons, health,
ammunition, and artifacts reappear, with the exception
of the Invisibility and Invulnerability spheres, after
they've been picked up.
Fast Monsters
Note: This option valid only for DOOM versions 1.666
and later.
This "Y"es or "N"o field allows you to select attack
speed of the monsters in your session. Normal play is
specified with a "N".
Turbo
Note: This option valid only for DOOM versions 1.666
and later.
This parameter allows you to select the scaling factor
for your running speed. The allowable range is 0 to
255, inclusive, and represents the percentage of normal
running speed.
Timer
Note: This option valid only for DOOM versions 1.666
and later.
This parameter allows you to select the number of
minutes to remain in a level before automatically
advancing to the next level.
Optional Parameters
This allows you to specify optional parameters not
directly supported by DOOMUTIL, such as "-record" or "-
playdemo". Consult the DOOM FAQ or the README for DOOM
for a list of these parameters.
Load Game from Slot
This numeric field allows you to select the game slot
to play a saved game from. Slots are numbered from 1
to 6, inclusive. Specifying a 0 informs DOOMUTIL to
begin a new game. Specifying a "?" informs DOOMUTIL to
search for the saved game with the most recent
date/time file stamp, allowing you to quickly determine
Page 9
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
the most recent saved game. When a game is specified,
the Episode (if relevant) and Mission fields are
updated to indicate the episode and mission for which
the game was saved.
Pressing <F10> while in this field invokes a menu with
entries for each of the saved games. While browsing
these entries, information about each saved game is
displayed. This information is the episode (if
relevant), mission, skill setting, player count, name,
and frag count. For example, for a DOOM 1 game saved
on Episode 2, Mission 3, with 2 players, Skill 4, and
no frags, the entry would display [(E2M3S4P2) "GAME
NAME" 0 0].
Serial Configuration
From this screen, parameters affecting serial
configuration are specified. Please refer to the Play
Mode field of the Current Game Configuration for an
explanation of the difference between Modem & Direct
Connect communications modes.
As mentioned elsewhere, separate configurations are
maintained, one for each version of DOOM.
Modem COM Port:
This field allows you to specify the port which your
modem is installed on. A numeric value between 1 and
4, inclusive, is permitted here.
This is the port used when a "M"odem Serial Game is
specified under the Play Mode of the Current Game
configuration section.
Direct Connect COM Port:
This field allows you to specify the port which your
null modem is installed on. A numeric value between 1
and 4, inclusive, is permitted here.
This is the port used when a "D"irect Connect Serial
Game is specified under the Play Mode of the Current
Game configuration section.
Dial:
This field allows you to specify the mode of connection
for your modem, which is dial or answer. If you are
playing a "M"odem Serial Game (specified under the Play
Mode of the Current Game configuration), your modem
Page 10
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
will dial if this field is non-blank. If the field is
blank, your modem will answer.
Server Name:
This field specifies the server to use for serial
multiple player games. The default is "SERSETUP.EXE",
although if you wish to use another, substitute the
name of the server in this field.
Network Configuration
This field allows you to configure the IPX network
driver for multiple player sessions. Again, separate
configurations are maintained for DOOM 1 & 2.
Socket
This allows you to select the IPX socket for multiple
group multiple player sessions. Specifying a unique
number for each group of players allows more than one
group to be playing independent games over the same
network.
Server Name
This allows you to select the IPX driver for your
session. IPXSETUP is the default, although if you have
a replacement, you place the name of it in this field.
New Game Player Count
This allows you to specify the number of players in a
new networked session. If saved games are being used,
the value of this field is ignored. It allows values
between 2 & 4, inclusive.
Edit Program Configuration
Configuration of DOOMUTIL is performed here. The
previous sections configured each edition of DOOM for
operation, and so separate configurations were
maintained for both editions. Only one program
configuration is necessary, so program configuration
can be performed regardless of the edition of DOOM
currently selected.
WARNING! You must specify independent paths for DOOM,
DOOM ][, and WADs. If you currently have your PWAD
files in your DOOM sub directory, you have two options:
Page 11
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
1) Create a new directory for your WAD files,
and MOVE all of your PWADs (all .WAD files
with the exception of DOOM.WAD or DOOM2.WAD)
into this directory. This is the recommended
method.
2) Leave the Path to WADs file blank, if you
wish to leave your PWADs in the DOOM 1 or
DOOM 2 directories.
Failure to perform one of these steps will result in
having multiple listing for some or all of your WAD
files. Multiple listings for a given WAD generally
result in erroneous multiple player consistency values
(described in the WAD selection section).
Text Editor
This specifies the name of the text editor that will be
invoked for any text editing functions (currently only
used for Edit MODEM.CFG, outlined below) that may be
required.
WAD Editor
NOTE: THIS FIELD & FUNCTION IS OBSOLETE. SEE THE "VIEW
WAD FILE COMMAND" DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION FOR A
BETTER ALTERNATIVE.
This allows you to specify the WAD editor that will be
launched when the "ALT-M" hot key sequence is invoked.
Path to DOOM
You MUST place the complete path (drive included) to
DOOM. For example, if DOOM is on drive D:, in a
directory called "DOOM", off of a directory called
"GAMES", off of the root directory, specify:
"D:\GAMES\DOOM". A trailing back slash is not
required.
See the warning at the beginning of this section for an
important note.
Path to DOOM ][
This allows you to specify the location of DOOM ][,
following the same specification as DOOM.
See the warning at the beginning of this section for an
important note.
Page 12
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
Path to WADs
This allows you to specify the location of your PWAD
files, following the same specification as DOOM.
See the warning at the beginning of this section for an
important note.
Swap to EMS
This allows you to specify EMS as the destination of
DOOMUTIL's memory image when DOOMUTIL launches another
application. If Swap to EMS and Swap to XMS is set to
"N", the image is stored as a file in the current
directory. Specify a "Y" if you have enough memory.
DOOMUTIL will require approximately 300k of memory for
spawning, leaving a 9k foot-print behind. Specifying a
"Y" for both Swap to EMS & Swap to XMS is valid. In
this case, the swapper will determine the best location
for the memory image.
Swap to XMS
See "Swap to EMS", above.
Enable BEEPS
This disables or enables those (to some) annoying beeps
that occur frequently when editing values.
Boss Mode
Placing a "Y" in this field invoked the command
specified by "Boss Command" when DOOM is exited. Use
this to help circumvent problems with your wife.....
Boss Command
Specify the command to be executed when DOOM is exited,
if Boss Mode is enabled.
Use Log File
Placing a "Y" in this field caused DOOMUTIL to create
and maintain a text file recording various events using
DOOMUTIL. This file name will have the same name as
the executable (unless you've renamed DOOMUTIL.EXE, it
will be DOOMUTIL) with an extension of .LOG.
Use Auto Build WAD
This "Y"es or "N"o field informs DOOMUTIL to
automatically build a PWAD consisting of the selected
PWADs (described later) when DOOM is launched.
Page 13
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
This option was originally created to overcome the
limitation of MS-DOS's 128 character command line
limit. With the advent of DOOM version 1.666 and the
"@" (response file) parameter, this option should have
become obsolete. However, I've had problems with
SERSETUP and response files containing more than one
PWAD file, so this option remains. This problem is
outlined in the "Problems" section.
Auto Build PWAD name
This specifies the name of the PWAD that will be built
when DOOM is launched, if more than one PWAD is
selected from the WAD selection menu. Unless a path is
specified, this PWAD will be created in the directory
for the currently selected version of DOOM. You may
wish to specify a drive and path to a RAM drive if you
have enough space. This will result in faster building
time for the Auto Build PWAD.
View WAD command
This allows you to configure the command for viewing
and modifying PWADs when browsing them during WAD
selection, outlined later. For my own setup, I have a
modified version of DEU 5.21 which works for both DOOM
1 and DOOM 2. I've copied it into each of the DOOM
directories, and placed the following in the View WAD
Command field: "deu -file %s". In this manner, I can
quickly and easily invoke DEU on the highlighted file,
for either version of DOOM.
DOOM Response file
Note: This option valid only for DOOM versions 1.666
and later.
This specifies the name of the response file to be
generated for DOOM, the serial server, or network
server.
Lump sprites & floors
This option is not supported at the present.
Edit MODEM.CFG
Invoking this option launches the configured text
editor for MODEM.CFG in the directory configured for
the current edition of DOOM.
Page 14
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
Run ID's SETUP
This option launches SETUP.EXE in the directory
specified for the current edition of DOOM.
Page 15
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
WADS
This menu is used for selecting and modifying the WADs
for your DOOM session. WADs selected for a given
edition of DOOM are referred to as a selection set.
WAD file selections are maintained dependently of the
edition of DOOM selected. This means that if you have
selected PWADs for use with DOOM 1, then select DOOM 2,
the WADs you've previously selected with DOOM 1 will
not be selected for DOOM 2. When you reselect DOOM 1,
the old selection will be reactivated.
Changes made to WAD files are permanent, but can
quickly be restored to their original status. A WAD
file used in one session that is modified for use by
another will affect the original session.
Selection Menu
Select WAD files
This allows you to interactively select PWADs for use
in your DOOM session. WADs are selected using the list
browser method. While browsing WADs, a wealth of
information is provided the WADs as they are displayed.
This information is as follows:
A "*" is displayed if DOOMUTIL considers the WAD to be
a user modifying WAD. This is a WAD file that has a
file by the same name, with the extension of ".BAK" in
the same directory. DOOMUTIL will not allow
modifications to user modifying WADs, due to the
potential dynamics of the WAD.
A "!" is displayed if DOOMUTIL considers the WAD to be
a properly designed WAD. For a WAD to be considered
properly designed by DOOMUTIL, it must meet the
following criteria for EACH level present in the WAD:
1) There must be at least one exit.
2) There must be at least four death match
starting points.
3) There must be exactly one player 1 starting
point.
4) There must be exactly one player 2 starting
point.
Page 16
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
5) There must be exactly one player 3 starting
point.
6) There must be exactly one player 4 starting
point.
The name of the WAD file is displayed.
The level information, if any is present in the first
set of parenthesis. Within these parenthesis, the
number of levels detected for the current edition of
DOOM are displayed, along with the first episode (if
relevant) and mission encountered. Within brackets, a
4 character code is presented to convey the consistency
value of the level. The consistency value is useful
for establishing multiple player games. DOOM will
abort with a consistency failure if the corresponding
consistency values for the selected WADs do not match
for each player's machine. Finally, a "DM" or "dm" is
presented if DOOMUTIL determines the levels found
within to be death matchable. If an uppercase DM is
present, then all levels within the WAD have enough
death match starts for use. If a lower case dm is
present, then some (but not all) levels have enough
death match starts for use.
The next information present refers to songs, and is
currently only valid for DOOM edition 1. The number of
songs present, as well as the first episode and mission
for a song, are present in the second set of
parenthesis.
The next information presented refers to the number of
sounds in the WAD file.
The next information presented refers to the number of
sprites in the WAD file.
The next information presented refers to the number of
wall textures in the WAD file.
The next information presented refers to the number of
floor/ceiling textures in the WAD file.
The WADs are displayed using a color scheme to indicate
the status of the WAD. The color scheme is displayed
by pressing <F2> while displaying the WADs. The color
scheme refers to whether or not a WAD is selected,
modified, and archived.
Selection is performed as outlined in the special
section regarding the List Browser Method at the
beginning of this document.
Page 17
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
During the browsing process, several options are
available.
Pressing <F10> will invoke the configured WAD File
Viewer on the highlighted WAD.
Pressing <Alt-F10> will perform the same function, but
will automatically launch DOOM upon return from the
Viewer. This handy for developing PWADs. As an
example, if you are a DEU user, when your modifications
for the current DEU session are complete, you can
inform DEU to Save, and while it's rebuilding the
nodes, reject, and blockmap, press "q" twice. After
DEU builds, it will read the keyboard buffer and exit
DEU. DOOMUTIL will then launch DOOM, stuff a carriage
return into the keyboard buffer (to prevent the "Press
Carriage Return" message from id regarding modification
to DOOM). This allows you to get a drink or what ever
during the period of time that your machine is
basically useless.
Select All WAD files
This immediately selects ALL wad files.
Deselect All WAD files
This immediately deselects ALL wad files.
Invert WAD selection
This inverts the currently WAD selection, making
selected WADs deselected, and vice-versa.
Change Sorting Order
This invokes a menu allowing you to configure the order
which WADs are displayed during the selection process.
Note that the WAD list is not sorted until WAD
selection begins, so changes made during the selection
process are not immediately sorted.
Save Selection to file
This allows you to save the list of selected WADs to a
file.
Load Selection from file
This allows you to load a list of WADs to be selected
from a file. The previous selection is lost.
Page 18
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
Merge Selection from file
This allows you to load a list of WADs to be selected
from a file. The previous selection is merged with the
new one.
Generate Selected WAD list
This generates a file with the name of the DOOMUTIL
program file (unless you've renamed it, it will be
DOOMUTIL) with an extension of .LST, in the directory
containing the program. This can be used as input into
PKZIP or some other utility as needed.
Force Refresh of all WADs
This causes DOOMUTIL to discard all of it's knowledge
regarding the WAD files, and build the list from
scratch. Doing so will result in the loss of
information regarding the number of times a given WAD
has been used, and the date of it's last use. If you
choose not to discard the information, the list is
merely updated, adding information for WADs that it's
not scanned before, and discarding information for WADs
that no longer exist on your system.
Force Refresh of selected WADs
This allows you to rescan information for the WADs that
are currently selected. This is useful to bring WAD
information up to date when WADs have been modified by
some utility other than DOOMUTIL.
Backup Selected WAD files.
This caused DOOMUTIL to create a file in the directory
containing each of selected WADs, with the name of the
WAD file, and an extension of ".WBU". This archive is
contains the THINGS & SECTORS for each WAD, and is
provided so that DOOMUTIL can quickly restore a
selected WAD to it's original status. These files are
usually a fraction of the original WAD size.
NOTE: Deleting the .WBU files from your system can
result in invalid operation of DOOMUTIL.
Restore Selected WAD files.
This causes DOOMUTIL to read the THINGs & SECTORs from
the .WBU file and place them back into the
Page 19
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
corresponding WAD files, effectively removing all
modifications made to a given WAD.
List WAD files.
This causes DOOMUTIL to generate a text file with
information regarding the selected WAD files. This
information is provided for developers of PWADs and
other DOOM accessories.
Build new WAD from selected PWADs.
This causes DOOMUTIL to create a new PWAD containing
all WADs currently selected. This is used for a
variety of reasons, described in the "hints" section.
Episode/Mission Menu.
Note that modifications performed here will update the
level consistency value for each WAD. This is
particularly important for multiple player sessions!
Modify Episode & Mission for PWADs
This allows you to change the initial Episode & Mission
for the levels and songs present in each of the
selected WADs, on an individual basis. Multiple levels
PWADs are assigned sequential episode/mission values.
Globally Modify Episode & Mission for PWADs
This allows you to change the initial Episode & Mission
for the levels and songs present in each of the
selected WADs, on an global basis. Multiple levels
PWADs are assigned sequential episode/mission values.
Incrementally Modify Episode & Mission for PWADs
This allows you to change the initial Episode & Mission
for the levels and songs present in each of the
selected WADs, on an global basis, with the
episode/mission being assigned sequentially. Multiple
levels PWADs are assigned sequential episode/mission
values.
THING Menu
This menu lets you modify various aspects of the THINGs
present in the selected PWAD files. Note that player
starts (both cooperative and death match), keys,
Page 20
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
teleport destinations, impassable furniture, and
enemies considered bosses are not modified.
Note that modifications performed here will update the
level consistency value for each WAD. This is
particularly important for multiple player sessions!
Invert Selected WADs things Death Match Status
This modifies the WADs so that things present only in
multiple player sessions will appear in the session.
THINGs that normally appear will not after this is
used.
This allows you to learn the differences between normal
and death match things for the given WADs.
Remove Selected WADs things Death Match Status
This modifies the WADs so that things present only in
multiple player sessions will appear in the session.
They will appear with the things that normally appear.
This usually results in more weapons, ammo, health, and
sometimes monsters.
Randomize Selected WADs things with user seed
This allows you to modify the locations of things in
the selected PWADs. You are prompted for a user seed
to be used in the randomization process. If you are
modifying the WADs for multiple player use, all players
must use the same seed value.
Replace one thing with another
Not yet implemented.
Sector Menu
Note that modifications performed here will update the
level consistency value for each WAD. This is
particularly important for multiple player sessions!
Highlight SECTORs
This causes DOOMUTIL to maximize the brightness of each
of the areas in the game. Areas that are considered
secret are set to pulsing.
Note: there are events in DOOM that modify the
brightness of a sector during game play. DOOMUTIL does
not modify these events.
Page 21
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
Maximize Brightness of SECTORs
This maximizes the brightness of each of the areas in
DOOM.
Note: there are events in DOOM that modify the
brightness of a sector during game play. DOOMUTIL does
not modify these events.
Remove Damaging SECTORs.
All damaging SECTORs are set to normal, so that slime
areas no longer hurt. Note that this can result in
your player getting into locations that he can not
escape from, and can not exit (normally) since he's not
killed in the area.
Page 22
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
Miscellaneous
Access Dialing Directory
Non-functional. Actually, it works, but is unstable.
Launch External DOOM Editor.
Obsolete; see viewing selected WAD in the WAD selection
section.
Register DOOMUTIL
This is used for the registration process of DOOMUTIL.
It is used twice during the registration process.
The first time is to enter your name you wish to
register with DOOMUTIL. DOOMUTIL will generate an
order form in the directory containing DOOMUTIL, with
an extension of ".FRM". Print this, and send it with a
check for $15 (US) to the address listed at the top of
this document.
Upon receipt, I will return a form to you that contains
the registration key and DOOMUTIL's serial number,
which you then enter back into this menu.
After the process is completed, your copy of DOOMUTIL
is registered.
Page 23
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
Session
DOOMUTIL will manage sessions for DOOM owners who meet
any of the following criteria:
1) Have more than one opponent/partner for
network, modem, or direct connect games.
2) Have more than one person using DOOM on their
system.
3) Develop PWADs or DOOM add-ons.
A session, as far as DOOMUTIL is concerned, is the
following:
1) Selected DOOM Edition.
2) Saved games for both editions of DOOM.
3) Game configuration for both editions of DOOM.
4) Serial configuration for both editions of
DOOM.
5) Network configuration for both editions of
DOOM.
6) Selected WADs for both editions of DOOM.
Note that the WADs themselves are not saved
in the session. If it's possible that you'll
be using one or more of the same WADs for
various sessions, and modifying them for only
one session, you have to perform the
following process:
a) Select the desired WADs.
b) Modify them as you see fit.
c) Build them into a new WAD file. It's
recommended that you give new WAD the
same name as the session, or some name
that you'll know to delete when you are
permanently finished with the session.
This name should be unique. Using the
same name from session to session
invalidates this procedure.
d) Deselect all of the WAD files, and
select the WAD file created by the
previous step.
Page 24
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
New Session
Selecting this option deletes the saved games for both
editions of DOOM, deselects all WAD files, and erase
the session name. Be sure you wish to do this!
Save Session
This saves the session information outlined above to
the specified file.
Load Session
This restores the session information outlined above
from the specified file. Note that a New Session is
performed before the session is loaded, to prevent any
saved games from the previous session from conflicting
with the loaded session.
Resume Last Saved Game
This automatically selects the most recently saved
game, and launches DOOM.
Page 25
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
Hints, problems, and observations.
DOOMUTIL is an extremely complex program. Since it's
conception, it's been expanded every time I find that
there is something I want to do with DOOM that I need
to automate. It started out as nothing more than a
replacement for the command line building portion of
SETUP.EXE with regards to serial or network play.
As new facets of the DOOMing experience came to light,
more was piled into DOOMUTIL. DOOMUTIL consumed
another utility that I wrote (but was never released),
WADUTIL, that performed various operations on WAD
files. WADUTIL was a batch oriented program, and
didn't recover from run-time errors gratefully, as it
did not need to. Unfortunately, this lack of grace is
present in DOOMUTIL as well, but will be corrected in
the near future. Also, my lack of experience with
interactive programs is minimal, and that (to some) may
be obvious. My apologies for this; I hope that the
functionality of DOOMUTIL will be more than worth the
effort of dealing with the interface.
The following sections address frequent problems and
work-arounds, and ideas for minimizing set-up time for
DOOM sessins (getting the most out of DOOMUTIL).
Problem: Some of my WAD files do not show up in DOOMUTIL.
This is because DOOMUTIL has not scanned the WAD file
directories since either DOOMUTIL or the WADs in
question were installed. To correct this, selected the
Force Refresh of all WAD files from the WAD menu, and
press any key other than <F10>, as outlined in the WAD
menu section.
Problem: DOOMUTIL crashes when scanning my WAD files.
This is usually the result of DOOMUTIL encountering an
incomplete PWAD. If DOOMUTIL returns an error message
to the effect that memory could not be allocated for a
type of buffer, then the WAD file described in the
error message either has too large of a list (greater
than 64k) or no entries in the list. This is usually
the case with "example" wads, such as those supplied
with DEU. These WADs are generally not playable
anyway, so move the offending WAD out of DOOMUTIL's
search paths, and start the scan again.
Page 26
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
Problem: SERSETUP crashes when used with multiple WADs.
This is a problem, I believe, with SERSETUP. It
probably exists as well in IPXSETUP, although I've been
unable to verify as of this writing. This problem
occurs only when response files are used (version 1.666
& greater). Several solutions are available:
1) Use the Build WAD function from the WAD menu
to combine the selected WAD files into one
wad. Deselect all WAD files, and select the
WAD file just created. This is the
recommended method of solving the problem,
ESPECIALLY if you are using sessions.
Refer to the Session section for concerns
using WAD files.
2) Use the Auto Build WAD File function from the
program configuration menu to specify the
name of a WAD to be automatically built when
DOOM is invoked.
3) Don't use a response file. Blank the entry
for the Response file in the program
configuration. Note that this may introduce
another problem, in that the command line may
be too large. This is described elsewhere.
Problem: DOOM aborts multiple player sessions with a
consistency failure.
A variety of reasons cause this. The more common ones
are listed below.
1) If WAD files are involved, the consistency
value for the WADs may be wrong. This is due
to modification of one or more of the WADs,
with regards to one or more of the players.
All WADs must be in the same state in order
for DOOM to allow play with them accross
multiple player sessions. DOOMUTIL provides
a consistency value that will help to
determine where WAD related consistency
problems will occur. During the WAD
selection process, examine the number in
brackets. If the values differ for each
corresponding player for the same wads, then
this is the problem. For example, player A &
player B both want to play a wad called
"SOMEWAD.WAD", but receive consistency values
when starting the WAD. Both players should
Page 27
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
enter their WAD selection menu, veryify that
SOMEWAD.WAD is selected, and then verify that
the value in brackets compares on both
machines, as well as the episode and mission
for the WAD are in agreement. If they
differ, then this is a cause of the problem.
If the episode and mission differ, then the
Episode/Mission submenu should be used to
force the selected WADs to consist of the
same starting episode/mission. Then the
comparison procedure outlined in the previous
paragraph should be repeated. If the
consistency values match, then you can invoke
DOOM. If it fails a second time, and all of
your WADs compare, then the problem lies
elsewhere.
Note that if any external utiltity modifies a
WAD file since DOOMUTIL has scanned it, then
the consistency value may have changed. In
order for DOOMUTIL to have valid information,
select the "Refresh Selected WADs" from the
WAD menu, and compare the values again. If
they still differ, there have two options:
a) Player A should give the Player B the
offending WADs, replacing them on Player
B's machine.
b) All players should use DOOMUTIL to
restore the selected WADs to their
original status, then perform any
desired modifications in tandem. After
the modifications are performed,
comparing the consistency values for the
selected WADs a second time is
recommended.
If there are no brackets present in the for a
given WAD (as in the case of WADs that
contain only sprites, sound, or music), then
it's selection is not a factor. This means
one player can be playing with PYTHON sounds,
while the other is using the original sounds,
for example.
Another possibility is that one or more of
the players have attempted to "cheat" by
modifying their own copy of the WAD.
DOOMUTIL will catch this type of cheat with
the consistency value. There are methods of
cheating through the use of WAD files,
Page 28
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
however, neither DOOM or DOOMUTIL will catch
these.
2) If saved games are involved, then it's
possible that one or more players have
modified their save game (inadvertantly, by
saving over it in a seperate session), or by
cheating, with a utility that modifes saved
games. You can attempt to load older saved
games to see if you can find one that will
work. Other than that, your only solution is
to begin a new game.
Another reason for a saved game to crash is
because the WAD that was being used when the
game was saved has been modified. No
solution to this problem, unless you've got
copy of the WAD in it's state when the game
was saved. This is the main reason for the
recommendation of creating a single unique
PWAD for each session you play; if you do
this, it's doubtful you'll have this problem.
Note that if you begin a new game, and DOOM
still crashes, then the problem may not be in
the saved game, and when you find the
problem, you may be able use the saved after
all.
3) Line noise or improperly configured
communications hardware (modem/network) can
also cause consistency failures. These
generally occur during the course of the
game, not at initial connection.
4) If the above doesn't resolve the problem,
it's possible that one or more players are
using a copy of DOOM.EXE or DOOM2.EXE that's
been modified in some manner, or are not the
same version. If the same version is being
used by all players, then the EXE has most
likely modified in some manner. To solve
this problem, both players must have
identical program files.
It's been my experience when playing someone
who has used DEHACKED, even if they use
DEHACKED to undo the changes to DOOM.EXE, it
still causes problems later in the game.
Also, I've experienced problems when
connecting with another player using
DEHACKED, even if the patches applied were
the same. These problems were not
Page 29
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
immediately obvious, and occured some time
into the session.
Problem: DOOMUTIL complains about "Command Line Too Long",
and won't invoke DOOM.
This occurs when too many options and/or WAD files have
been selected. The cause of the problem is that MS/DOS
only allows 128 characters to be specified for a
command line, and the more options and WADs that are
selected, the more characters are used.
If you have version 1.666 or greater, you can alleviate
the problem by using a response file, although you
should be aware of the problem described under
"SERSETUP Crashes with multiple WADs" if you are
playing multiple player sessions.
If you don't have version 1.666 or greater, and have
multiple WADs selected, you can build them into a
single WAD and use that one (either automatically, as
described under the program configuration section, or
manually, as described under the WAD menu section).
If you manually build a new PWAD, be sure to deselect
the other WADs and select the new one.
If this still doesn't help, and you're using a version
of DOOM earlier than 1.666, then you must reduce the
number of parameters on the command line. This can be
accomplished by removing certain features, such as
monster respawning, etc.
Using DOOMUTIL to manage sessions.
This is the most recently implemented feature in
DOOMUTIL, and, in my opinion, the most useful.
I do quite a bit with DOOM, DEU, and DOOMUTIL. As of
this writing, I have a DOOM 2 death match session, a
DOOM 1 death match session, and a DOOM 1 PWAD death
match session going with one player. With another
opponent, I have a both a DOOM 1 & 2 death match
session going. With a third player, I have a DOOM 1
death match session, and with a fourth I have a DOOM 2
death match session. Then, I have indepent sessions
for PWAD development with DOOM 1 & DOOM 2, as well as a
few sessions with no monsters for my son to explore the
environment, using "gentle" PWADS (all the walls are
wood, and nothing is present except for barrels for him
to shoot).
Page 30
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
The session manager allows me to quickly move from
session to session, without concern for reconfiguring
anything. When I play Bill, we decide which session to
play, and load it, then instruct DOOMUTIL to resume it.
After we've finished playing, we save the session.
Then, if another opponent becomes available, I load the
appropriate session, and inform DOOMUTIL to resume it.
When that one is complete, it's saved.
All I have to do, once a session has been initially
configured, is select the session I want to play, and
instruct DOOMUTIL to resume it. It's too simple to
believe.
The only concern is that you make sure that you save
the session once you've exited DOOM, and if you're
going to do change the session in any way, make sure
your partner(s) perform the same changes.
Using DOOMUTIL to learn new WADs quickly.
A player new to deathmatch often suffers seriously due
to their lack of familiarity with the location of
weapons present in multiple player mode.
A new player can use the Invert Thing Death Match
Status to learn the location of things are present only
in multiple player mode, or the Remove Thing Death
Match Status to learn the location of things present in
both single and multiple player game. Using the
Maximize Sector Brightness function and Remove Damaging
Sectors from the Sector Menu, and playing with no
monsters affords the player the ability to concentrate
on learning item locations and exploring in preparation
for the up-and-coming blood fest.
Using DOOMUTIL to add life to old levels.
With the THING randomization provided by DOOMUTIL, it's
easy to modify the location of things present in the
selected WAD files, including DOOM.WAD & DOOM2.WAD.
This works for single and multiple player sessions,
although for multiple player sessions, each player must
start off with their WADs in the same state (else
problems described in the consistency failure will
occur; refer to that section for the WAD validation
procedure) and use the same user seed.
This produces new challenges to old levels, especially
in multiple player mode. Since weapons and artifacts
change positions, it removes the advantage one player
may have over another with respect to locations of
Page 31
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
items in given levels. Also, some weapons may now be
unobtainable, due to placement on ledges or behind
fences.
Using DOOMUTIL to exchange WADs with other DOOMers.
DOOMUTIL makes it simple to determine what WADs you
have that your partners do not, assuming all involved
are using DOOMUTIL.
To copy all of the WADs that you have to another
player, the other player must invoke the WAD selection
menu, select all WADs, and save the selection set to a
file.
Then, that player must provide you a copy of the
selection set, which you load into DOOMUTIL as
described in the WAD Selection Menu.
After loading the selection set, Invert the Selected
WADs. At this point, the selected WADs on your system
are the WADs that do not exist on your partner's
system.
At this point, you can Generate a Selected WAD list
from the WAD Selection Menu. Be aware that you may
have some WADs, such as those created by the Auto Build
function, or manually built for sessions, that may not
be appropriate for exchanging. You may wish to
deselect these files before generating the selected WAD
list.
You can use this list, for example, as input into
PKZIP(tm), to create an archive of these files, by
issuing the following command, which will produce a ZIP
file with the unique WADs:
"PKZIP -ex sendwads @doomutil.lst"
NOTE: Since most WAD files are small, you may wish to
"double zip" the archive, which will generally result
in better compression, due to the mechanics of the
compression routines. To do this, use
"PKZIP -e0 whatever @doomutil.lst"
followed by
"PKZIP -ex sendwads whatever.zip"
The trade off varies from case to case, but for small
files, most noticably text files, better compression
Page 32
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
can often be realized at the expense of an extra step
for compression and decompression.
Page 33
DOOM UTIL 1.05 User's Manual
Contacting the Author
I maintain a PO Box for permanent correspondence. The
address for this is listed at the beginning of this
document, and is also displayed while in DOOMUTIL.
As of October 27, 1994, is
David Poole, Jr.
2044 Pineview Drive
Spartanburg, SC 29307-3805
My phone number is 803-579-1419. I keep odd hours (I'm
a DOOMed Programmer!!!), so you if desire to talk about
problems with DOOMUTIL (or DOOM for that matter), you
can call any time. Death Match sessions are always
welcomed, and I'll negotiate the cost of the phone bill
for long distance games.
I can reached through internet email as
david.poole@swcbbs.com
and through RIME COMMON (private/routed only!!) as
DAVID POOLE ->1122
or
DAVID POOLE ->ENGINE
Page 34