OpenMW-CS vs TrenchBroom
OpenMW-CS
openmw.orgTrenchBroom
trenchbroom.github.ioSide by side
| Figure | OpenMW-CS | TrenchBroom |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Modding Tools | 8.5 (#3) | 7.3 (#19) |
| Intended users | The user manual is intended as both an introduction and a reference for the application, including for people familiar with Morrowind modding. | The manual is intended to teach use of the editor, not mapping itself; it directs mapping and game-specific technical questions to other mappers and communities. |
| Purpose | OpenMW-CS is an editor that allows users to edit or create mods or original games. | TrenchBroom is a level editor for brush-based game engines such as Quake, Quake 2, and Hexen 2. |
| Support | The FAQ directs users with problems using compatible mods to Discord, IRC, or the forums for help. | The project points users to its Discord and says feature requests can be submitted through the TrenchBroom issue tracker. |
Plans
In their own words
OpenMW-CS
OpenMW-CS is a free editor for making or changing mods and creating original games. Its editing tools cover files, world and mechanics data, characters, and assets, with record filters and a cell view. The editor supports plugin and script editing, mod packaging, and ESM, ESP, .omwgame, and .omwaddon formats. The project says OpenMW can run original games made with OpenMW-CS; those games do not require Morrowind. Playing Morrowind does require a legally owned copy, because OpenMW does not include its content or assets. Official releases are listed for Windows, macOS, and Linux, alongside distribution channels including Windows Chocolatey, Linux distribution repositories, and Flathub. The manual is intended as both an introduction and a reference, including for people familiar with Morrowind modding, but cautions that OpenMW-CS remains in development and the manual does not cover its shortcomings. Mods requiring MWSE, MGE XE, or MCP are incompatible because those tools modify the original Morrowind executable. The source code is released under the GNU General Public License version 3.
TrenchBroom
TrenchBroom is a free level editor for brush-based engines such as Quake, Quake 2, and Hexen 2. It provides a 3D workspace alongside up to three 2D views. Brush editing includes vertex changes, clipping, scaling, shearing, and constructive solid geometry operations for merging, subtracting, or hollowing shapes. A UV view handles textures and supports multiple material collections. The entity browser accepts drag-and-drop placement and definitions from FGD, ENT, and DEF files, while model display includes mdl, md2, md3, bsp, and dkm formats. An issue browser filters map problems, helps resolve them, and offers automatic quick fixes. TrenchBroom can call external compilers and launch game engines, but those compilation tools are separate. It supports several Quake, Valve, Hexen 2, and package formats. The 2026.2 requirements list Windows 10 1903+, Linux with glibc 2.33+, or macOS 13+, with OpenGL 2.1 and GLSL 1.2 hardware.