The following information and downloadable media refers to an exclusive release by www.tombraiderchronicles.com for Tomb Raider Custom Level Editor users, specifically the inclusion of a movable block into all WAD files, an object previously absent from Core Designs Level Editor application.

While the release of the Tomb Raider level editor marked a new era in the continued development of Tomb Raider, the movable block which featured in many official Core Design levels was omitted. This object has now been painstakingly created and inserted into all WADS released with the custom level editor and are now available to download exclusively from tombraiderchronicles.com

Level designers are invited to download exclusive movable block tutorials which concisely show how the object can be placed into any level, as well as all associated media. 


**** Copyright Note - Webmasters wishing to use this resource may link to http://www.tombraiderchronicles.com/tr5/editor/movableblocks.html - Do NOT place these files on your server! ****


The following files are available for downloading...

**** BE SURE TO READ THE "IMPORTANT" SECTIONS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS DOCUMENT! ****

Readme.txt . . . . . . . . This file.

Demo.zip . . . . . . . . . Contains a "tut1.tr4" file that you can place in your trle\data folder (after temporarily renaming the existing file to preserve it) and then play the Tutorial level with a set of movable blocks that will allow access to a hidden room inside the "Playable Tutorial Level." In the beginning of the level, after you pass through the first set of large double doors, bear to the right side of the column to where there's a movable block in the wall on your right. There's a series of 3 blocks to push before you reach the secret room. Exit the far end of this room and you'll find yourself in a different place in the Tutorial that you'll probably recognize right off.


download............demo.zip
Tutorial.zip . . . . . . . A "must have" text tutorial that explains how to use the StrPix2 and TRwest programs to create new wads or how to use them to modify existing wads so that they will include the "Moving Block" object. Also contains some critical information that you won't want to miss.


download............tutorial.zip
Starter.zip . . . . . . . A set of wad files that contain only the necessary objects to include Lara in a custom level. Use this as a starter and then use the TRwest program to add more objects. When you have all of the desired objects for your custom level, you can save this out as a new wad. You can still add or remove objects at any time. The Tutorial will go into greater detail on the uses of these wad files. BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FILE AS IT WILL ALSO BE USED IN UPCOMING TUTORIALS!


download............starter.zip
Block.zip . . . . . . . . A set of wad files identical to the "Starter" wad files above except these contain the "Movable Block" object. You will find a "PUSHABLE_OBJECT5" in the list of objects. This is the "Movable Block." Use these files to add the "Movable Block" to levels that you've already created. There is also a "Block.jpg" image that will be used in a section of the Tutorial that deals with changing the textures on the Movable Blocks. The Tutorial will go into greater detail on the uses of these wad files. BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FILE!


download............block.zip
The following files contain the "WAD" and "WAS" files that are necessary to add a movable block to the corresponding levels if you don't want to use the TRwest and StrPix2 programs to add the movable block object to your existing wads. If you want to add the movable block to your existing wads and to new custom wads, then you won't need any of the files in the list below. You will need the "Starter.zip" and "Block.zip" files mentioned above. Each file contains two files. Before moving them into your trle\graphics\wads folder, be sure to preserve your exiting files by renaming them or moving them to a temporary folder. Once you have place the files in the trle\graphics\wads folder, you will find the "PUSHABLE_OBJECT5" now available in your list of objects. This is the "Movable Block." This is covered in greater depth in the Tutorial.


download............angkor.zip
download............catacomb.zip

download............city.zip

download............cleopal.zip

download............coastal.zip

download............guard.zip

download............karnak.zip

download............library.zip

download............newcity.zip

download............settomb.zip

download............tut1.zip

StrPix2.zip . . . . . . . A great program that can be used to extract and modify the textures in an existing wad. These textures are a complete different set of textures than those you've been using inside the Level Editor to place textures on the floors, walls, and ceilings of your custom levels. These are the textures used to cover all of the objects in your levels. Objects like Lara, baddies, dogs, etc.. If you already have this program then you won't need to download it again.


download............strpix2.zip
NOTE: StrPix3 (Beta) has just been release, but at the time of this writing I suggest that you stick with StrPix2 until a few things get ironed out in the new version. I have looked at the new version and I think you're going to enjoy using when it gets beyond the Beta stage.

TRwest.zip . . . . . . . Another super program that allows you to modify the objects in new or existing wads. Want to include the Motorcycle in your level that currently doesn't have the Motorcycle available... then this is the program for you. Start with an existing wad and remove objects or add objects from other levels. You can also start from scratch and add only those objects to a wad that you want to have in your level. If you already have this program then you won't need to download it again. You can find the "online" users manual for this program on the Internet at http://www.jps.net/mikejj/trwest.


download............trwest.zip
IMPORTANT: The "Movable Block" is the "PUSHABLE_OBJECT5" in your list of objects. The library.wad already includes all of the vacant slots for pushable objects. They include PUSHABLE_OBJECT1 through PUSHABLE_OBJECT5. If you use this new wad with a project created with the library wad, the PUSHABLE_OBJECT5 (one of the 5 pushable Globes in the Star Map Room) will be replaced by the Movable Block object. If your level has already used all five of the existing Globe objects, you will have to decide whether you want to reduce them to 4 Globe objects so that you can incorporate the Movable Block object, or do without the Movable Block object in that particular level.

IMPORTANT: The new Movable Object (PUSHABLE_OBJECT5) will work the same as the ones that you're familiar with in the Tomb Raider games EXCEPT for a couple of things. FIRST, Lara can not climb up onto one of these blocks. The Movable Blocks will likely be used primarily to hide hidden areas and passages. Download and play the Demo for an example. SECOND, be careful not to place one of the Movable Blocks where Lara can jump from a higher area down onto the top of the block. If she does this, she will end up trapped inside the block. It should be fairly simple to place the blocks in ways that will prevent this from happening.

IMPORTANT: The Movable Block object as it comes in these wads may not be textured as you'd like. You may want to texture it to more closely match the area around it so that it is better hidden or so that it fits in better with the overall tone of your level. Be sure to read the Tutorial since it covers changing the texture on the sides and top of the blocks.
