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Working with Geometry

Creating geometry is crucial for both 2D and 3D maps. We have 3 different types of geometry in Eldiron:

  • Vertices are points in the map.
  • Linedefs are lines between the points.
  • Sectors are a series of linedefs which form a closed polygon.
Doom

The terms Linedefs and Sectors are based on the game Doom, which used the same terminology.

You can apply tiles only to sectors, for example via the Apply Tile button in the Tile Picker dock or by using the Rect tool.

Creating Sectors​

To create a sector we use the Linedef tool.

Linedef / Edge Tool

When you click on grid positions, the Linedef tool automatically creates new vertices and linedefs between those points. Clicking the starting vertex again closes the polygon.

Here we selected the Sector tool to select the newly created sector.

Created Sector

By default the linedef tool is in manual mode, meaning you have to click every vertex position to create a sector, even if some of the vertices already exist.

Auto Mode

When you hold Cmd/Ctrl while clicking the tool tries to auto-close existing polygons on every click, so you just need to click on the vertices you want to connect to close a polygon.

Applying a Tile​

Now we can apply a tile to the sector using the Apply Tile button in the Tile Picker dock. It applies the currently selected tile in the tile picker to the currently selected sector.

Applied Tile

The Rect tool does all the above in one step, it creates a rectangular sector and applies the currently selected tile to it, but it is only used for decoration purposes (i.e. quickly drawing tiles). When you want to create the foundations of an area (for example a house), you need to create its sector manually.

Other Functions​

The Vertex, Linedef and Sector tools have a diverse set of functionality, so make sure to read their documentation. You can, for example, create new standalone vertices with the vertex tool by holding Shift and clicking in the grid.

3D Geometry Modes​

In 3D views, Eldiron uses direct Geometry Object editing.

The same tool names are reused, but they operate on the selected 3D object:

  • The Object Tool selects and transforms whole objects.
  • The Vertex Tool selects and edits object vertices.
  • The Linedef / Edge Tool selects and edits object edges, and draws surface lines on selected faces.
  • The Sector / Face Tool selects and edits object faces.

This keeps the 2D editor vocabulary intact while giving the 3D path direct object, face, edge, and vertex editing.

The 3D editor works with Geometry Objects. Existing 2D linedefs are shown as a faint floor-plane reference overlay, and the 2D map data can still be used for gameplay zones, triggers, and minimaps.

Surface lines are the 3D path for drawn detail. Draw them on a selected face with the Linedef / Edge Tool, then use actions such as Create Ridge, Create Groove, or Create Cutout to turn those lines into persistent geometry or through-object openings.

Press Delete to remove the currently selected geometry.

All geometry editing operations are undoable.