id Software recently (23 Dec, 1997)
released the source code to Doom for the Linux operating system. I downloaded the source
code and ported it to Windows95 using the Win32 SDK and DirectX 5 from Microsoft. I have
named the resulting program WinDoom. WinDoom is going to become the basis, I hope, for
some other projects that will use the Doom engine. A client/server Internet capable game
is one of them. The other is glDoom.
I am also working on a version of Doom that will use OpenGL as the renderer. I have
named that project glDoom. This is be a sector/portal based polygon renderer and will
completely replace the span renderer in Doom/Doom II.
I have been developing this mostly on non-3Dfx equipment but so far, it does run on the
3Dfx Voodoo chipset. I'm using an Eclipse II card from Accel Graphics as well as a Diamond
FireGL 1000 Pro, Obsidian 100SB-4440 and a Monster 3D. (No, not in the same machine. :)
The geometry conversion for the walls is done and incorporated into the program. I am
currently working on a geometry creation algorithm for the floors and ceilings that works
all the time. The current one still fails on some of id's levels. The texture preprocessor
is already done and creates RGBA pixelmaps pixelmaps. A sprite converter is being created
as well. The status bar manager is already done and working. As is the console.
glDoom Maintenance Release 0.94D
Another release of glDoom is ready. I have attempted to address the most egregious
problems. Including the mouse context switching, mouse sensitivity, no video mode list, no
16 bit color desktop available, menu lockup problems, lack of sound card detection,
ability to run with no sound (for those who don't need it or don't want it), level
switching problems in Ultimate Doom Ep 4, "exposing" the mvert key and its
function and the key not working if keylink was turned on (keylink is now ignored - better
one than none...).
PLEASE read the relnotes.txt file when/after you install glDoom and BEFORE you run it.
(as well as the glDoom.doc file). The glDoom.doc file has been updated (again) so you
might want to read that again. The changes are sprinkled throughout.
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