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| The '''Macro Entity Scripting System (MESS)''' is a tool that helps in automating various tasks in [[Half-Life]] level compilation. It offers a templating system and macro entities for creating template instances that can be customized with a basic scripting system. [[MESS]] provides entity rewrite rules that allow templates to be used as if they were actual entities.
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| == Features ==
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| # Templating System: [[MESS]] provides a templating system that allows the creation of templates that can be used in multiple instances. These templates can contain brushes, entities, and other game assets.
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| # Macro Entities: [[MESS]] allows the creation of macro entities that can replicate a complex entity setup as a single entity. It also provides entities that can cover terrain and other surfaces with props. Additionally, using the macro_insert entity, a single brush can be turned into multiple entities.
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| # Entity Rewrite Rules: [[MESS]] provides the ability to modify entity attributes before macro processing occurs by using entity rewrite rules.
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| # Scripting System: [[MESS]] offers a scripting system that allows expressions to be embedded in attribute values, and the customization of templates and instances by referencing attributes of instance-creating entities.
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| == Drawbacks ==
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| # Steep Learning Curve: [[MESS]] has a steep learning curve due to its complex templating and scripting system. It requires a significant amount of time and effort to learn how to use it correctly.
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| # Limited Compatibility: [[MESS]] is compatible with only Half-Life, which limits its usage in newer games.
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| # Requires prior knowledge of [[Hammer]] Editor: Since MESS is an extension of the [[Hammer]] Editor, one needs to have prior knowledge of [[Hammer]] to use it efficiently.
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| == Screenshots ==
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| <gallery mode=nolines widths=384px heights=256px>
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| Image:landmine_template.png|Templates
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| Image:templatemap.jpg|Templates №2
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| Image:landmine_insertion.png|Instances
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| </gallery>{{clear}}
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| == Options ==
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| '''-dir''' directory
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| * Specifies which directory to use when resolving relative template map paths. By default, the directory where the input [[map]] file is located is used. This only applies to relative template paths in the input [[map]] file.
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| '''-fgd''' paths
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| * The .fgd file(s) that contain [[MESS]] entity rewrite rules. To provide multiple paths, separate them with a semicolon (path1;path2).
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| '''-maxrecursion number'''
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| * The maximum recursion depth for templates that insert themselves or other templates. This is a safety mechanism that guards against accidental infinite recursion. The default is 100.
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| '''-maxinstances number'''
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| * The maximum number of template instances. This is a safety mechanism that guards against accidentally inserting a massive number of instances. The default is 10000.
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| '''-log level'''
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| * Determines how much information [[MESS]] will write to the output:
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| '''-off'''
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| * Disables almost all logging.
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| '''-error'''
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| * Only critical errors are shown (problems that cause [[MESS]] to abort). This is the default.
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| '''-warning'''
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| * In addition to critical errors, warnings are also shown (problems that [[MESS]] can safely ignore).
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| '''-info'''
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| * Additional information is shown.
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| '''-verbose'''
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| * The maximum amount of information is shown.
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| '''-repl'''
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| * Enables the interactive MScript interpreter mode. This starts a read-evaluate-print loop ([[REPL]]), which can be used to test MScript expressions. Do not use this when compiling maps!
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| == External Links ==
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| * [https://github.com/pwitvoet/mess Github]
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| * [https://twhl.info/thread/view/19984 TWHL]
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| * [https://twhl.info/vault/view/6451 MESS example maps]
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| {{GoldSrc sdktools}} | | {{GoldSrc sdktools}} |
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| [[Category:Non-Steam Applications]] | | [[Category:Non-Steam Applications]] |
| [[Category:GoldSrc Level Design]] | | [[Category:GoldSrc Level Design]] |
| | {{GoldSrc topicon}} |
