Everytime I try to convert the file in command prompt I get this "...is not recognized as an internal or external command, operational program or batch file" and whenever I open tool.exe, it closes down the second it opens, please help.

Note to new mappers that need help troubleshooting Tool.



First time users should keep in mind this when using Tool:

Tool is a Command Prompt only application. This means if you try to run Tool directly by clicking on tool.exe it will close 2 seconds after it opens. It does this becuase it is only accessable and usable by running it through Command Prompt.

Tool and its features:

model - The Model command is used to make GBXmodels. These models are what make up the actual mesh of the objects. These include: Vehicles, Weapons, Powerups, and Characters.
Others include: Scenery, ammo, multiplayer objects such as the oddball or the flag.

animations - The animations command is used to convert .JMA, JMO, JMM, or other animation data files into a single .model_animations tag.

strings - Don't know very much about this command, I havn't used it before. It's most likely used to produce a string list tag.

unicode-strings - Don't know much about this one either. Probably is used to make unicode string list tags, then again, I havn't used it, so i could be wrong.

bitmaps - converts .tif images into bitmaps used by Halo. Images must have the power of two dimensions to be converted (Example: 1280*1024, or 512*1024) It must be a equal resolution.

bitmap - Note this is not the same as the bitmaps command. I havn't used it before some im not entirely sure what its for.

structure - This command tells Tool to take a .JMS file (The level) and convert it into a a usable format by the game engine.

structure-lens-flares - Not entirely sure what this is for, although the name suggests it, it is probably used to make lens flares.

structure-breakable-surfaces - As name suggest, more than likely to mark certain surfaces as breakable.

collision-geometry - This command makes a collision model. The collision makes things so you cant walk through a warthog or fall through a banshee when jumping off a roof. Remember: Collision Geometry command will check for errors in the model. Model command will not, this will allow you to make the model but if it has errors you cannot make a collision geometry until they are all fixed.

physics - Unknown to me, I assume it makes a .physics tag for objects based on the models size, polygons used, and number of Vertices it has.

sounds - creates .sound tags for use in the HEK. Note that most of the times ive used this it doesn't work or the sound tags are corrupted. Check to see if you can find any updates to:

ogg.dll
vorbis.dll
vorbisenc.dll
vorbisfile.dll

And if needed:

msvcr71.dll

These updated .dll files required for tool to make .sound tags should help solve the problem.

sounds_by_type - Also unknown to me, have no clue what its used for.

build-cache-file - The Tool command used to make cache files (.map) These are what the game uses to play the map.

windows-font - Absolutely no clue as to what its even doing there.

hud-messages - Nope, no information on this one also, at least from me.

lightmaps - used to generate the lighting of the level. Lightmaps effects how the lighting of the map looks, and will be generated according to which sky is used. (Example: Night sky will produce dark map, Day sky will produce bright map) Lightmaps are also effected by lightsources, so if you put in a light fixture that does not use the dynamic light flag, it will effewct how the lightmap looks in the surrounding area.

process-sounds - Absolutely no clue what its for.

merge-scenery - I dont know why they would need to merge scenery....

zoners_model_upgrade - Completely stumped, confused, and no clue what so ever at all as to what the command is for, why its there, and how to use it.

import-device-defualts - Also unknown to me, havn't used it.

Well I believe thats all the commands. Instructions on how to use (some of) them are located in most beginner tutorials you will find.