TrenchBroom for Windows

Quick summary

TrenchBroom is an open-source level authoring application built for games that use Quake-style engines. It gives designers a straightforward environment to build and refine maps, with tools focused on geometry creation, texture placement, and entity configuration.

Core advantages

• Broad file compatibility (works with common Quake map formats)
• Live 3D preview for immediate visual feedback
• Powerful geometry editing tools for creating complex brushwork
• Comprehensive grid and snapping controls to keep layouts precise
• Full entity editing and placement features
• Customizable hotkeys to speed up repetitive tasks
• Cross-platform availability across Windows, macOS, and Linux

Additional development tools (reordered)

• Custom hotkey support for faster workflows
• Entity placement and property editing
• Precise grid and snap management
• Advanced geometry tools for complex structures
• Instant 3D visualization of changes
• Support for multiple Quake-related file formats
• Runs on major desktop operating systems

Compatibility and formats

TrenchBroom reads and writes popular Quake-era map formats, making it compatible with a variety of engines and modding toolchains. Its export options and format support help ensure maps can be used in several Quake-based games without requiring extensive conversion.

Distribution and community

The editor is distributed for free and maintained by an active community. Regular updates, user-contributed guides, and forum discussions make it accessible both to newcomers experimenting with level design and to experienced mappers refining complex projects.

Suggested alternative

• SHAREit (free) — primarily a file-transfer utility rather than a level editor, but sometimes recommended when moving large asset folders between machines during development.