8. File conversion

Besides being a map processing tool, MESS also supports conversion between different map file formats. This can be useful when migrating to a different editor, or for automating .map exports. It's also possible to exclude specific VIS groups or layers, and to exclude anything outside a specific area (cordoning).

Converting a map file to rmf or jmf

To convert a .map file to .rmf or .jmf, open a command-line window (or create a batch file) and call MESS as following:

MESS.exe -convert input_file.map output_file.jmf

If the input is a TrenchBroom .map file, any groups and layers will automatically be converted to Hammer or J.A.C.K. groups and VIS groups.

Converting a rmf or jmf to a TrenchBroom map file

To convert a .jmf file to a TrenchBroom .map file, call MESS as following:

MESS.exe -convert -mapformat trenchbroomvalve220 -tbgame "Half-Life" -wad "halflife.wad;liquids.wad" input_file.jmf output_file.map

The -mapformat trenchbroomvalve220 option tells MESS that it should convert groups and VIS groups to TrenchBroom-specific func_group entities, instead of discarding any group and VIS group information. The -tbgame option sets the TrenchBroom game name, and the -wad option sets the map's wad property.

For all available options, see Convert options.