Merging Levels

Once you've tested your levels individually, you can merge them into a single map file using MarathUp's Merge Levels command. To use this, you have to prepare a text file containing a list of the level files that you want to include in the merged map, and a resource file containing any chapter screens, terminal pictures or other resources used by your levels.

Level list file

Here's an example of a level list file:

01 Entrance.sceA
02 VidiViciVeni.sceA
03 WheresMyCow.sceA

Each line consists of a level number and a file name, separated by whitespace. The levels must be numbered sequentially starting from 1, with no gaps in the sequence (although you can leave blank lines for readability if you want).

Resource file

To find resources for the merged map, MarathUp first looks for a file with the same name as the level list file but an extension of .rsrc, or if that is not found, a file called Map.rsrc.

Note that any resources in the individual level files are not included in the merged map file.

Merging the map

Once you've prepared your level list and resource files, you can use the Plugins>Marathon>Merge Levels command. You will be asked to select the level list file, and choose a name for the merged map file.

If all goes well, you will get a message confirming that the merged map file has been written. You can then fire up Aleph One and play your scenario.

In the next chapter we'll look at a few odds and ends.

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