DETH392.ZIP includes all the files for HETH 1.92 and HEXEN editing that were previously being released as separate HETHxx.ZIP files. Everything you need is in DETHxx.ZIP.. Be sure to unzip this file with the -d option in order to extract the directory structure intact. See the README.1ST file for a list of required files.

You can always get the latest version of DETH and HETH at the following sites:

URL:ftp://3darchives.in-span.net/pub/idgames/utils/level_edit/

URL:ftp://3darchives.in-span.net/pub/idgames/utils/level_edit/ (Dr Sleep's DOOM Apothecary)

Also available are the source code for DETH 4.24 (July 21, 2001) (deth424s.zip), a math emulator (EMU387.ZIP) (BROKEN LINK), and other related files that folks have been asking about.

DETH (DOOM Editor for Total Headcases) is a GCC rewrite of DEU 5.2. for use with DOOM I, DOOM II, DOOM SE (Ultimate DOOM), HERETIC, and HEXEN (using HETH). It was written by PWAD authors for PWAD authors, so it is with the needs of such in mind that DETH was written.

DETH has a slightly darker interface that is easier on the eyes, but it retains the same DEU-commands that we have come to know and love, plus a host of new short-cut keys and other modifications and improvements. Full-featured, no-nag freeware, with a user-configurable menu system, DETH is the editor of choice for discriminating PWAD authors.

Also included is HETH, the HEXEN editor! HETH offers full HEXEN editing support, including scripts and polyobjects, thanks to the HEXEN-compatible nodes building power of ZenNode, which is also included with DETHxx.ZIP.

HETH is able to create new HEXEN PWADs from scratch, with complete scripting and polyobject support. Nodes can be rebuilt using ZenNode (or your favorite nodes builder). Both of these programs are still in beta, but are extremely stable and reliable.

Please read the SETUP.TXT file for information on setting up HETH (and DETH) reliably; it's important, and neither program will work correctly if you haven't bothered to modify the configuration or initialization files to match your system.

For information on setting up the GO32 environment, read DETHGO32.TXT.

Also read SCRPINFO.TXT for instructions on adding your compiled scripts using HETH. This will be made automatic in a future version of HETH.

And: please read ZenNode.TXT by Marc Rousseau for important information on ZenNode.

HETH and ZenNode are in development and may have flaws. Save your work often while editing, and create backups (HETH does this automatically). These are betas, after all, and you have been warned. We would appreciate a note on any bugs you do find, so please e-mail HETH bug-reports to myself or Antony, and ZenNode reports to Marc Rousseau.

Edits DOOM I, II, Ultimate DOOM, and HERETIC and HEXEN (using heth.exe);
All data is in user-editable files (Things, LineDefs, Sectors and more). This means you can now create your own menus, configure special sector and LineDef colors;
Textures/Flats/Things displayed while editing;
Texture Browser;
Drop to DOS mode;
Change video modes while editing;
Texture-caching option for slower machines;
Elegant button bar drops down to display most often-used commands;
PWAD Browser;
Doors shown in key colors (optional);
Auto-map style (optional); shows your level as it would appear in the Auto-Map in DOOM;
Improved Error Checking with "check all" function;
UNDO function;
HOT KEYS galore for quicker editing; read Keys.txt for more info;
Rotate Things/Sprites with , and . keys;
Thing/Sprite indicators gussied up for easier viewing;
Vertices shown as small squares, making Zoom editing much easier;
Grid from 1 to 1024 pixels;
Two extra Zoom factors for those really tight places;
Automatic X and Y alignment of 2-sided LineDefs, including upper and lower textures; aligns both 1st and 2nd SideDef at the same time (read TEXTURES.TXT). This means no more barfing when you want to align a SideDef that has no Normal texture;
Flagged LineDefs show in differing user-configurable colors;
<F>ilter to show Things on map according to skill level and/or DeathMatch/Multiplayer;
New friendly highlighting of the information boxes: when an area is highlighted blue, it means that you can click that area to edit it.

Click here for a complete list of changes and additions.

Windows 95 and DETH

DETH and HETH are not currently compatible with Windows 95.

Click here for full instructions on setting up a separate DOS session for DETH with Windows 95

Please send any bug reports, suggestions, or high praise to:

John W. Anderson (Dr Sleep) drsleep@ionstorm.com
Antony J. Burden antony@cis.compuserve.com

Special thanks to those who contributed suggestions and fixes:

Sverre Andre Kvernmo, author of the CABAL series of DOOM II levels, and "Deadlock", the best HEXEN level yet.