map2dif is the exporter responsible for converting map files (just a format for storing 3d data) into .dif files (frequently called interiors, these are just 3d models exported in a format Torque can understand). It doesn't have any interface at all. Basically, when you start it up, you're telling it to do the set of instructions you sent to it. Since you haven't given it any instructions, it just closes. There are two ways to get it to do what you want:
a. Get a program like Quark or Torque Constructor to do it for you. This is easy and highly recommended.
b. Use the command prompt. There are instructions on how to do this
here.
As for installing map2dif, depending on what program you are using, it is different. Torque Constructor automatically sets it up for you. You can get Torque Constructor
here. If you are using quark, follow this
tutorial.
Tutorials for using both Torque Constructor and Quark can be found all over the Internet. I know Quark has video tutorials that cover everything from making a map to exporting it to loading it in Torque. I don't know about Torque Constructor, but it is easier to learn. It also handles 3d rendering a lot better than Quark. If you want complicated shapes like a sphere or torus, Quark is your best bet. Torque Constructor hates them. I use both, and frequently move interiors back and forth between them to do different things.
The DTS exporter is similar, except it exports shapes instead of interiors. The easiest way to think of it is this: interiors are things that don't move and you don't interact with, like big structures; shapes are things you can pick up, like weapons, or interact with, like vehicles, or tiny repetitive models, like trees, bushes, and stones.
I haven't made a model that wasn't an interior. To the best of my knowledge, consulting these tutorials will get you started on it, but it's far from complete.
http://forum.blockland.us/index.php?topic=18088.msg253151#msg253151http://forum.blockland.us/index.php?topic=24695.0This video will explain to you how to install the mission editor.To learn how to use the mission editor, just try random things in it and teach yourself. There is no one guide that will teach you how to use it. You've got to figure it out yourself. However, there are many tutorials on how to do specific things all over the Internet. Here's a short list of a few:
http://returntoblockland.com/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Mappinghttp://www.garagegames.com/mg/forums/result.thread.php?qt=32033http://books.google.com/books?id=cknGqaHwPFkC&pg=PA513&sig=qUxTLZ26M_NumrxaxNiBgquPN-I#PPA516,M1http://www.garagegames.com/docs/tge/general/ch04s03.htmlhttp://www.garagegames.com/docs/tge/general/ch04s04.htmlhttp://www.garagegames.com/docs/tge/general/ch04s06.htmlhttp://forum.blockland.us/index.php?topic=21839.0http://forum.blockland.us/index.php?topic=21416.0http://www.garagegames.com/mg/forums/result.thread.php?qt=15972
