KeenWright
| Developer(s) | Andrew Durdin |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 2000-12-14 |
| Latest update | 2003-09-20 |
| Development status | Beta |
| Programming language | QuickBASIC (DOS) Visual Basic (Windows) |
| Platform | DOS, Windows 98, ME, XP, Linux via WINE |
| Tool Type | Level Editor |
| Engine(s) | Keen:Vorticons |
| Homepage | jump.to/keen |
| Discussion(s) | PCKF: first release, later development, Windows version Keen: Modding: source release |
| Download | KeenWright (Win32) v.0.5 newest KeenWright (DOS) v.1.0 beta |
KeenWright, also called KeenEdit, is an originally DOS-based, graphical level editor for Keens 1-3, created by Andrew Durdin and first released in 2000. Despite the fact that it is more popular, the author has said that he would like to "kill" the DOS version of KeenEdit/KeenWright, in favor of the newer Windows version, though neither version was completed. The source code to both the DOS and Windows version is available, the latter being released under the GNU GPL.
The DOS version has the same resolution and colour depth as Keen, and therefore it allows the most immersive experience possible from a level editor. It can be used full-screen, and in Windows 98, ME, etc., it can also be used in a window. It is the preferred editor of many modders, partly due to its lack of bugs and widespread compatibility.
Usage
KeenWright allows tiles, custom sprites (true sprites and numerical sprite values) to be placed in levels.
Functions & Keys
It can assign a tile each to the letters Z, X and C on the keyboard.
It has a map mode, accessed by pressing M, which shows sprite values as yellow boxes to show where levels and teleporters are located. It has a fill function, used by pressing F, which is useful for small areas, but crashes the program if used on an area that is too large. It also has a rectangle function, used by pressing R on a corner of the rectangle, then ENTER on the opposite corner. This function can be used to fill a whole level with a tile. There is a line function, used by pressing L at one end of the line, and ENTER at the other, which can draw straight lines across a level. Unlike many other editors, it lacks a facility for copying and pasting patterns of tiles.
Altering Tileinfo
The graphics used in the editor are stored in a file called Keenedit.DAT. The TileInfo utility, also a work of Andrew Durdin's, is capable of exporting custom tiles into a Keenedit.DAT file which is compatible with KeenWright. There is no facility as yet for importing sprite images into KeenWright.
It can automatically calculate the sprite numbers for map levels which block Keen from passing until the level is completed. The original release has no on-board helptext but it provides a separate, in-depth readme file.
GNU/Linux compatibility
It runs under GNU/Linux with no major issues by using the WINE compatibility layer for Windows applications.