Selection Tool
The selection tool allows you to accomplish a number of things. Its most basic function is to select things. Once selected, you can click on the selected area to cycle through the three modes (resize, rotate, and shear). While an object is selected, regardless of the mode it is in, you can click-drag it to a new position.
Tip: While an object is selected, you can clone it by holding shift and click-dragging the object. See Creating Solids for more information. This can be done regardless of what selection mode the object is in (resize, rotate, or shear).
Magnify
This tool allows you to, surprisingly enough, increase the magnification factor of the 2D views. The same thing can be accomplished by pressing the number keys while the mouse cursor is in a 2D view.
Camera
This tool allows you to place and modify cameras within your level. While in camera mode, hold shift and left-click and drag a line to create the camera. A line with a dot (the view point) will be drawn in the 2D views, where you can adjust it until it is pointing in the direction you'd like. You can place more than one camera in a level, just repeat the above steps.
When you're in camera mode, you can cycle through all available cameras by pressing the PageUp/PageDn keys. To delete the current camera, press Delete. More information can be found in Using Cameras.
Entity Tool
This tool allows you to place point-style entities in a map. Once selected, the New Object dialog will contain a list of entities from which to choose from. Click on one of the 2D views and press Enter to place the entity.
Note: In order to place a brush based entity (a func_door for example) you must first create the brush with the Block Tool (see below), then select it, and press the ToEntity button on the New Object dialog. You will be given a list of entities to choose from which will be different than the ones shown with the Entity Tool.
Block Tool
This is the basic creation tool available to you. It allows you to create any of the different types of primitive shapes. For more information, see Creating Solids.
Apply Current Texture
When pressed, the current texture is applied to every face of the selected brushes.
Apply Decals
This allows you to place decals within the 3D view.
Toggle Texture Application
This brings up the Face Properties dialog.
Clipping Tool
Clipping allows you to slice and dice your solids. For more info, see Clip Planes.
Vertex Tool
Vertex manipulation gives you complete control over the shape of a brush. For more information, see Vertex Manipulation.
Path Tool
This tool greatly simplifies the creation of paths for trains and monsters. It allows you to create dynamic paths that you can add and delete nodes to. For more information, see the Making Paths section.
Related Topics: