DarkRadiant vs Hammer++
DarkRadiant
darkradiant.netHammer++
ficool2.github.ioSide by side
| Figure | DarkRadiant | Hammer++ |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Level Editors | 8.1 (#7) | 8.5 (#5) |
| Editing tools | Feature highlights include a media browser, surface, patch and light inspectors, layers, grouping, and selection sets. | It adds a 3D gizmo, adjustable pivot, polygon and sprinkle tools, real-time vertex editing, three-point clipping, brush merging and surface movement tools. |
| Integrations | The FAQ says users can work with other Doom 3 modifications by specifying the fs_game setting in preferences. | The download page says HLMV++ is bundled with downloads and can be optionally installed. |
| Purpose | DarkRadiant is an open-source level editor for Doom 3 and The Dark Mod. | Hammer++ is a free modification of Valve’s Hammer editor for the Source engine, intended to be more stable and up to date, with bug fixes and improvements. |
| Support | The project directs users to The Dark Mod forums for discussion and its bugtracker for reporting issues. | The maker directs users to the official Discord to discuss Hammer++. |
Plans
In their own words
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.
Hammer++
Hammer++ is a free Windows modification of Valve’s Hammer editor for creating maps in the Source engine. It aims to improve stability and keep the editor current through fixes and changes. It can simulate Source lighting inside the editor, with adjustable quality and speed and dynamic updates, and preview particles, fog, skyboxes, rope physics, render effects, and material proxies. Mapping tools include a 3D gizmo, polygon and sprinkle tools, multiple cordons, brush merging, and object placement on floors or ceilings. If the editor crashes, it shows a detailed error message and autosaves open VMF files. Saved VMFs retain precise vertex data while also storing less precise data for compilers and compatibility with other Hammer versions. Downloads bundle HLMV++, which can be installed optionally. The download page lists build 8871, last updated April 14, 2026. The maker directs users to its official Discord for discussion and says the project is not affiliated with Valve. It also notes antivirus software sometimes flags downloads and advises allowing them or adding an exception. The old Source 2013 Multiplayer version is unsupported, and CS:GO support is frozen on build 8864.