In addition to the geometry information created by the map editing, two additional data structures are required by DOOM before a level will play properly. These are the Node Tree (consisting of the nodes, segs and subsectors) and the Blockmap. Also, an optional structure called the Reject Table may improve DOOM's speed for complicated levels.
By default, Hellmaker will build the Node Tree and Blockmap just before a level is saved. You may prevent this by deselecting Make Structures on Save in the Function menu. Hellmaker will then save a level without a Node Tree and Blockmap.
IMPORTANT NOTE: I recommend that you do NOT use Hellmaker's built-in Node Tree and Blockmap builders. Instead, get MacBSP and use it instead. Hellmaker's builders are not perfect, and may cause crashes when attempting to save some levels.
The Node Tree - Nodes, Segs and Subsectors:
The node tree is calculated when you ask Hellmaker to save a level. The method used is reasonably fast and effective, although dedicated programs are generally faster.
The Blockmap table:
The blockmap is calculated when you ask Hellmaker to save a level. Note that due to limitations in DOOM, a level that occupies a wide area on the map may cause the blockmap table to become too large. If this happens, Hellmaker will issue an error message and the blockmap will not be computed. The only solution to this problem is to make the level smaller.
The Reject table:
The present version of Hellmaker (v1.1) does not compute a reject table. This may adversely affect DOOM's performance for complicated levels, and may also produce "sleepy monster syndrome". Use a separate Nodes/Blockmap/Reject generator to avoid this (e.g. MacBSP). A future version of Hellmaker will compute reject tables.
