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The '''Halo Editing Kit''', also known as '''HEK''', was released by [[Gearbox Software]] along with the [[Halo Custom Edition]]. It includes basic tags for bitmaps, [[vehicles]], [[weapons]], bipeds, and other necessary elements of a Halo map. The kit comes with three programs which assisted in mapping.
The '''Halo Editing Kit''', often abbreviated as '''HEK''', was released by [[Gearbox Software]] along with the [[Halo Custom Edition]]. It includes, among other things, basic "tags" for bitmaps, [[vehicles]], [[weapons]], bipeds, and other necessary elements of a Halo map.
* The first program is ''Tool''. Tool is both the backbone and the pain of CE. Although it works to do everything from bitmap creation to the final map-building, its old-style command prompt methods have driven at least a few mappers insane.
* The second program is ''Guerilla''. Labeled with a gorilla (pun intended), this program opens tags, the files that make up all Halo maps, allowing the user to edit many aspects of them, and export them for use in a map.
* The third program is ''Sapien''. Following the primate theme, ''Sapien'' opens scenario tags (the early map files) and creates a visual representation of the final map. Mappers can insert vehicles and weapons, place spawn points, and make camera points for cutscenes. Everything that can be positioned in the map physically is done with Sapien. This is considered by most fans to be the easiest program, and is comparable to [[Forge]] in [[Halo 3]].  


The HEK also includes the HEK tutorial, which is a step-by-step walkthrough of the making of the tutorial map. The tags that come with the kit are almost singularly made for this small map, include select bitmaps from the campaign and multiplayer maps. The combination of the tags, programs, and tutorial gives players a glimpse into the possibilities of the Custom Edition.
== Mapping Programs ==
The kit comes with three programs designed to assist mappers.


Because the HEK is only a basic group of files, CE mappers had to experiment and share their discoveries on the workings of the game. Over time they realized that most of the game tags were excluded from the HEK. This prevented a huge amount of creativity that could be harnessed in new maps. People began tinkering with the HEK programs. Kornman produced a new version of Guerilla called Kornman00 which unlocked all the grayed-out areas in the program. This new program allows for editing of terrain bitmaps, AI modifications, and many other previously impossible actions. He also created a user-friendly version of tool called Tool++ and an unlocked version of Sapien called a_hobo.
The first program is ''Tool''. Tool is both the backbone and the pain of CE. Although it is capable of everything from bitmap creation to the final map-building, its old-style command prompt methods have driven at least a few mappers insane.


The largest breakthrough of tag availability was Steelix B's '''HEK+''', which allows anyone to enter any map, CE or otherwise, and extract any tag they want. Along with a few others, Steelix recompiled the entire Halo PC game into its basic parts. CE mappers now are able to do nearly anything they want. This includes programmed AI in maps, user-flyable [[Pelicans]] and [[Longswords]], and the easy ability to create [[campaign]]-[[multiplayer]] conversions. With all of these tools, the Custom Map Team re-created the campaign with modified skins, [[Halo 2]] [[weapons]], and new scripts. They are currently working on a sequel to the campaign mod, using Halo 3 aspects, and expanded universe ideas such as adding entirely new landscapes to levels, much smarter AI, and even [[Brutes]].
The second program, known as ''Guerilla'' and labeled with a gorilla (pun intended), opens tags -- the files that make up all Halo maps -- allowing the user to edit and export tags for use in custom maps. <!-- NEEDED: explanation of what a "tag" actually is, and perhaps how they work. -->
 
The third program is ''Sapien'', continues the primate naming scheme. ''Sapien'' opens scenario tags (the early map files) and creates a visual representation of the final map. Mappers can insert vehicles and weapons, place spawn points, and make camera points for cutscenes. Everything that can be positioned in the map physically is done with Sapien. This is widely considered the easiest program of the three, and is comparable to [{Halo 3]]'s [[Forge]].
 
== Other Materials ==
The Halo Editing Kit also includes a tutorial in the form of a step-by-step walkthrough of the making of the accompanying tutorial map. The tags that come with the kit are almost singularly made for this small map and include select bitmaps from the [[Campaign]] and [[Multiplayer]] maps. The combination of the tags, programs, and tutorial gives players a glimpse into the unique possibilities of the Halo Custom Edition.
 
== Experimentation by Players ==
Because the HEK is only a basic group of files, CE mappers had to experiment with it and share their discoveries on the workings of the game in order to form a useful knowledge base for editing. Over time, they realized that most of the game's tags were excluded from the HEK, eliminating a huge amount of creative possibilities.
 
It was at this point that people began tinkering with the HEK programs. Kornman produced a new version of ''Guerilla'' called "Kornman00", which unlocked all the grayed-out areas in the program. The new program allows for editing of terrain bitmaps and AIs, as well as many other previously impossible actions. He also created a user-friendly version of tool called "Tool++" and an unlocked version of Sapien called "a_hobo".
 
The largest breakthrough in regards to tag availability was Steelix B's "''HEK+''", which allows anyone to enter any map -- CE or otherwise -- and extract any tag they want. Along with a few others, Steelix recompiled the entire [[Halo PC]] game into its basic parts. CE mappers now are able to do nearly anything they want, including programming AIs into maps, adding usable [[Pelicans]] and [[Longswords]], easily creating [[Campaign]]-to-[[Multiplayer]] conversions.
 
With all of these new tools, the Custom Map Team re-created the campaign with modified skins, [[Halo 2]] [[weapons]], and new scripts. They are currently working on a sequel to the campaign mod, using [[Halo 3]] aspects and expanded universe ideas such as adding entirely new landscapes, much smarter AIs, and even [[Brutes]] to levels.


Now, many advancements have been made within the program, the maps, and even the mappers themselves. Expert scripters such as Kornmann, Rec0, Bitterbannana, and Tiamat have made various scripts to help boost the interest in the maps.
Now, many advancements have been made within the program, the maps, and even the mappers themselves. Expert scripters such as Kornmann, Rec0, Bitterbannana, and Tiamat have made various scripts to help boost the interest in the maps.

Revision as of 20:33, May 22, 2009

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The Halo Editing Kit, often abbreviated as HEK, was released by Gearbox Software along with the Halo Custom Edition. It includes, among other things, basic "tags" for bitmaps, vehicles, weapons, bipeds, and other necessary elements of a Halo map.

Mapping Programs

The kit comes with three programs designed to assist mappers.

The first program is Tool. Tool is both the backbone and the pain of CE. Although it is capable of everything from bitmap creation to the final map-building, its old-style command prompt methods have driven at least a few mappers insane.

The second program, known as Guerilla and labeled with a gorilla (pun intended), opens tags -- the files that make up all Halo maps -- allowing the user to edit and export tags for use in custom maps.

The third program is Sapien, continues the primate naming scheme. Sapien opens scenario tags (the early map files) and creates a visual representation of the final map. Mappers can insert vehicles and weapons, place spawn points, and make camera points for cutscenes. Everything that can be positioned in the map physically is done with Sapien. This is widely considered the easiest program of the three, and is comparable to [{Halo 3]]'s Forge.

Other Materials

The Halo Editing Kit also includes a tutorial in the form of a step-by-step walkthrough of the making of the accompanying tutorial map. The tags that come with the kit are almost singularly made for this small map and include select bitmaps from the Campaign and Multiplayer maps. The combination of the tags, programs, and tutorial gives players a glimpse into the unique possibilities of the Halo Custom Edition.

Experimentation by Players

Because the HEK is only a basic group of files, CE mappers had to experiment with it and share their discoveries on the workings of the game in order to form a useful knowledge base for editing. Over time, they realized that most of the game's tags were excluded from the HEK, eliminating a huge amount of creative possibilities.

It was at this point that people began tinkering with the HEK programs. Kornman produced a new version of Guerilla called "Kornman00", which unlocked all the grayed-out areas in the program. The new program allows for editing of terrain bitmaps and AIs, as well as many other previously impossible actions. He also created a user-friendly version of tool called "Tool++" and an unlocked version of Sapien called "a_hobo".

The largest breakthrough in regards to tag availability was Steelix B's "HEK+", which allows anyone to enter any map -- CE or otherwise -- and extract any tag they want. Along with a few others, Steelix recompiled the entire Halo PC game into its basic parts. CE mappers now are able to do nearly anything they want, including programming AIs into maps, adding usable Pelicans and Longswords, easily creating Campaign-to-Multiplayer conversions.

With all of these new tools, the Custom Map Team re-created the campaign with modified skins, Halo 2 weapons, and new scripts. They are currently working on a sequel to the campaign mod, using Halo 3 aspects and expanded universe ideas such as adding entirely new landscapes, much smarter AIs, and even Brutes to levels.

Now, many advancements have been made within the program, the maps, and even the mappers themselves. Expert scripters such as Kornmann, Rec0, Bitterbannana, and Tiamat have made various scripts to help boost the interest in the maps.