Now that we're done with all the mandatory configuration, it's finally time to start with your own map! First head to File -> New Map, and you should get a window similar to the one pictured below. Select "Boom" from the dropdown, and you should notice your doom2.wad greyed out in the resources if done correctly.
For level name, leave it at MAP01. Anything that you enter here will be the command map you will need to set. (For example, Doom used E1M1, while Doom 2 use MAP01-MAP32). Press OK.
Woah, a blank canvas. Looks intimidating, right? Let's start with some of the tools. (Bear with me, the more you use this program, the more shortcuts you will learn to adapt to.) At the top, you should see a toolbar (but without as many icons): Don't worry if you can't remember the icons
Starting from the left:
- New map. Identical to CTRL+N or File -> New.
- Open map. Identical to CTRL+O.
- Save map. Identical to CTRL+S.
- Script editor. Allows for easy ACS editing and testing straight from Doom Builder 2.
- Insert prefab. Allows for mappers to enter premade "template" sectors.
- Insert previous prefab. To repeat what #5 does, for ease of use.
- Vertex mode. Insert/modify vertices.
- Linedefs mode. Draw/modify linedefs. You will be spending most of time
- Sectors mode. Move/modify sectors.
- Brightness mode. Allows for fast modification of brightness levels (to save time)
- Make sectors mode. Allows to unjoin sectors (explained later)
- Things mode. Place actors around you map.
- WadAuthor mode. Uses WadAuthor.
- Make stairs plugin. Optional plugin that makes generating stairs easier.
- Visual mode. A feature that allows you to preview your map in a 3D environment.
- Edit selection. Something like marquee in Photoshop; allows to make modifications to a group of selected elements. Same as pressing "E" when you highlight things.
- Find/replace mode. Like your CTRL+F of Microsoft Word.
- Map analysis mode. The program scans your map for missing textures or unclosed sectors among other things
- Visplane explorer. Lets you visually see areas where vanilla compatibility would break
- Statistics. Lets you boost your ego by looking at the total count of linedefs, sidedefs, sectors, and things.
- Image example. Draw an image (useless)
- Icon + Dropdown are to filter specific things when adding difficulty levels.
- Snap to grid. Adhere to given grid line sof not.
- Auto join sectors. A nifty tool that automatically detects when sectors are touching to join them.
- Test. Test your map in the engine you set up earlier.
- Copy/paste. Self-explanatory.
Well, that's enough of this jargon. Time to get started.