Level Design Tools and Documentation

[ecklyps]

Hey guys I thought I would start this thread for anybody looking for information on how to get started with level design. I'll have a list of modern level editors/software development kits (SDK) and links to where you can find information on how to use them (i.e. official documentation, modding forums, wiki sites, etc.)
Note - most of these editors require that the respective game be installed before you can use the editor.

Crytek CryEngine2 Sandbox
-Associated Game: Crysis, Crysis Warhead/Wars
-Download Link: (SDK requires Crysis to be installed, no support for Warhead yet) www.crymod.com/filebase_redirect.php?fid=4703
-Official Documentation: doc.crymod.com/SandboxManual/
-Forums/Wiki/etc.: www.crymod.com/, wiki.crymod.com/

Valve Hammer Editor
-Associated Game: Half Life 2/Source Engine
-Download Link: (requires STEAM and a Source Engine game to be installed) Type into your address bar: steam://run/211
-Official Documentation: developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Category:Hammer
-Forums/Wiki/etc.: developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Main_Page

UnrealEd
-Associated Game: Unreal Tournament, Gears of War
-Download Link: N/A (editor comes with game)
-Official Documentation: udn.epicgames.com/Two/IntroToUnrealEd.html
-Forums/Wiki/etc.: www.wiki.beyondunreal.com/

Call of Duty Radiant Editor
-Associated Game: Call of Duty 2, Call of Duty 4, Call of Duty: World at War
-Download Link:
Call of Duty 4: www.infinityward.com/wiki/index.p....evision_History
Call of Duty: World at War: www.moddb.com/games/call-of-duty-....orld-at-war-sdk
-Official Documentation: www.infinityward.com/wiki/index.php/Radiant_Basics
-Forums/Wiki/etc.: www.infinityward.com/wiki/

Id Tech 4 editors
-Associated Game: Doom 3, Quake 4, Prey, Enemy Territory: Quake Wars
-Download Link:
Doom 3: www.iddevnet.com/doom3/downloads.php
Quake 4: www.iddevnet.com/quake4/
Prey: (Editor included with game) www.3drealms.com/prey/download.html#sdk
Quake Wars: www.splashdamage.com/node/229
GtkRadiant (general use editor, generally compatible with all id Tech 4 games): www.qeradiant.com/cgi-bin/trac.cgi
-Official Documentation:
Doom 3: www.iddevnet.com/doom3/editor.php
Quake 4: www.iddevnet.com/quake4/LevelEditor
Prey: www.3drealms.com/prey/PREY_SDK_ReadMe.rtf
Quake Wars: wiki.splashdamage.com/index.php/Enemy_Territory:_QUAKE_Wars
General
-Forums/Wikis/etc.:
Doom 3: www.doom3world.org/index.php
Quake Wars: wiki.splashdamage.com/index.php/Main_Page, community.enemyterritory.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=24
General: www.modwiki.net/wiki/Main_Page

Far Cry 2 Editor
-Associated Game: Far Cry 2
-Download Link: N/A (editor comes with game)
-Official Documentation: farcry.us.ubi.com/help/pc/main.php?cont=me
-Forums/Wiki/etc.: www.moddb.com/games/far-cry-2/tutorials/far-cry-2-map-editor-run-through

Fallout 3 Garden of Eden Creation Kit (G.E.C.K.)
-Associated Game: Fallout 3
-Download Link: static.bethsoft.com/fo3/geck.zip
-Official Documentation: geck.bethsoft.com/index.php/Main_Page
-Forums/Wiki/etc.: www.bethsoft.com/bgsforums/index.php?showforum=46