DarkRadiant vs QuArK

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.

QuArK is a free editor for maps and, to a limited extent, models used with Quake-based or similar game engines. It imports, exports and converts sounds, textures and other assets, and can modify .pak and .pk3 files. Compiled BSP maps can be opened so their entities can be inspected and changed. Map-building features include duplicators and shape builders for structures such as stairs and arches; edits to an original duplicator’s texture update its copies. Documented output formats include Classic Quake, QuArK etp, Valve 220 and Brush Primitives. The project lists 3D preview through software, OpenGL, Direct3D and 3Dfx Glide, plus Python plugin support with more than 60 plugins bundled in the installer. QuArK Explorer gathers assets into a .QRK file and links files from earlier projects. Support listings mention 31 games in the FAQ and 41 games plus five generic engines on SourceForge. Windows binaries are available, while the Linux guide uses Wine.