BSAOpt vs DarkRadiant
BSAOpt
github.comDarkRadiant
darkradiant.netSide by side
| Figure | BSAOpt | DarkRadiant |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Modding Tools | 7.8 (#9) | 8.0 (#5) |
| Purpose | BSAopt manages and recompresses BSA files, treating them like directories so files inside can be addressed easily. | DarkRadiant is an open-source level editor for Doom 3 and The Dark Mod. |
Plans
In their own words
BSAOpt
BSAOpt is free, open-source Windows software for managing and recompressing BSA archives. It presents archive contents like directories, allowing files inside to be addressed directly, and can deduplicate files. Copy, Pack, Unpack, and Convert operations depend on the selected input and output. The listing says compression is roughly 5% better for files and 20% better for WAV files. Supported formats are BSA and ZIP, with archive extraction and mod packaging included. Version history lists Morrowind support, Fallout compatibility, and Xbox-type archives. Version 1.6.3 added recognition for XWM, FUZ, OGG, GID, and PEX files. Optional logs and a broken-header dialog can attempt recovery from corrupt BSAs. It is partially multi-threaded, supports 32-bit and 64-bit Windows Vista or later, and requires administrator execution when UAC is enabled. The listed version is 1.6.3, updated 14 January 2013.
DarkRadiant
DarkRadiant is a free, open-source level editor for Doom 3 and The Dark Mod, with additional listed support for The Dark Mod 2.0, Quake 4, Quake 3, and XreaL. Its workspace includes a media browser, inspectors for surfaces, patches, and lights, plus layers, grouping, and selection sets. Model and material tools include a particle editor with real-time preview, model scaling, model and skin browsers, and UV editing. It imports classic Quake and idTech map formats and exports to Doom 3, Quake 4, and Quake 3 formats. Plugins for The Dark Mod cover Stim/Response, objectives, difficulty, and conversations, alongside AI and Readable tools. A Python script interface is available, and preferences can specify fs_game for working with other Doom 3 modifications. DarkRadiant runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, although the FAQ says macOS builds are not fully tested. The editor does not install game resources; users must point it to a supported game before editing maps.