Doom training centre

'Mapping' is the process of editing the portions of a wad file that make up the levels of the game (best known as 'maps', hence MAPping). The maps are made up of 'sectors' (rooms, hallways, all areas of the level) and 'things' (all objects, weapons, health, monsters, player starts). Each sector has a ceiling and floor hight and a brightness value. Each surface of your sectors should (except certain circumstances) have a 'texture' (image on the surface) assigned to it that gives it its look and effect. These are the very basics of mapping; with practice you can create very basic levels with this information.

For some of us its easy to start building a map from scratch, and plan in your head as you go along. A much easier way is to plan out your map on paper before you begin in doom builder. Draw up a general rough draft of what you want the level to look like; draw up all the rooms and doors, but don't put any detail into the open spaces yet. Once you've got the basic 'skeleton' of how you want your map to look, you can start up doom builder and begin building your level. As you go along you might get ideas or inspiration of how you want the details to look in the end. Either once you're finished building the rough details of the map, or if you just need a break, draw up the ideas you've got for inside your rooms. Also keep in mind the skale of your level; build a few rooms at first, then test it out to make sure the rooms are sized the way you pictured them.