While a basic knowledge of DOOM and WAD file formats is needed to fully utilise WADMangle, a general description is provided here.
An exciting new game featuring realistic high-resolution 3D graphics and utilising every last drop of power in the Intel 486 processor.
So, yes it is old, but then so is Super Locomotive and I still play that.
A WAD File is a specially formated file that DOOM uses to store level, graphics and sound data. A WAD file is split into a series of LUMPs.
WAD files come in two forms. An IWAD is the 'internal' WAD provided by id Software (eg. doom.wad). A PWAD is a 'patch' WAD file. These PWAD files can contain user-defined levels for instance, and entries in these patch WADs override the entries in the internal WAD file.
A LUMP is simply a block of binary data, given a name. There is no different 'level' or 'sound' type lumps (ie. all LUMPs are identical in basic format). DOOM simply gives meaning to a LUMP's contents depending on where it is in the WAD, which other special marker LUMPs enclose it or what it is called.
For instance, DOOM will search the WAD files it has loaded for a LUMP called TITLEPIC. This lump will be decoded as a graphic and displayed as the title picture on loading DOOM. Likewise, a LUMP whose name starts with the characters DS will be treated as containing sample (sound) data.
Note that in the original DOOM the meaning given to special LUMPs, and where graphical LUMPs could be stored (to replace textures in the game for instance) was pretty messy. Recent source ports of DOOM, like ZDoom have a much more relaxed attitude towards such things, and unless compatibility with the original DOOM or DOOM II is required should be used in preference.
My preferred weapon of choice while developing WAD Mangle.
Play MAP32 from Plutonia in it, with a large hi-res screen, all the wall decals from weapon hits, particles from the Cyberdemons missles swirling around your head...
Now tell me your heart doesn't sing even while it's being picked over by the ravenous Legions of Hell...
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