Possibly the best feature of Worldcraft is the prefabs. The shareware version of worldcraft gives an example of what can be done with them by including the pipes prefab, although you cannot use other libraries, or do any creation or modification of prefabs. The registered version takes prefabs to a whole new level. With registered Worldcraft, you are able to create, modify, and save prefabs to your heart's content. The tools involved in the prefab processes are the Prefab Factory, and the New Objects dialog.

This section was designed to give you information on the use of prefabs, both in the registered and shareware versions of Worldcraft, and also to give you tips on their creation.

The Prefab Factory will help you organize and modify your prefabs. There are a number of things that can be done through this dialog.

Add Library
This is used to create a new library (which will be stored as an .ol file). If you're using a prefab library called pipes, it will be stored in a file called pipes.ol. You must first create the library here before you can add new objects to it.

Remove (library)
Use this to remove unwanted prefab libraries. Be careful to make backups of the libraries if you need them, as this will remove the libraries from your hard drive.

Add object
This allows you to add an object to your prefab library. It will prompt you to browse and find the object. Valid file types for this object are .MAP, .RMF, and .OS (ObjectScript).

Edit (object)
This allows you to edit both the objects name and description (as above, for the library), or to directly edit the prefab object data.

Edit (library)
With this, you can edit the name and description of the library. If you are going to make the prefabs available to other people, it is a good idea to put you're email address in the library description.

Remove (object) This allows you to delete prefabs from a library. Remember to have a copy somewhere if you need it, as you will not be able to recover it after it has been deleted.

Export object This allows you to extract an object from a prefab library and save it in .MAP format.

Creation

Creation of a prefab is quite easy. First, you have to make the object. When you have it as you want it, select it all, and press the New button on the New Objects dialog. This will bring up the Create Prefab dialog, which allows you to add a new prefab to a library, and includes an area to give it a name and description. If you are starting a new library, you must first use the prefab factory to add a new library. Otherwise you can select it from the Create in list.

When creating a prefab, it is good to try to keep the number of brushes to a minimum. Also, don't waste time aligning textures, as they will most likely have to be redone once the prefab is inserted.

Modification

Modifications of prefabs is also made quite simple, by selecting Edit in the Prefab Factory, and then selecting Prefab data from the popup menu.

To use a prefab, you basically have two choices. You can insert the prefab by going to the New Objects dialog and selecting the library from the Categories item list, and the prefab from the Objects list. Then you either press insert original prefab, or you can treat it as a normal brush type, and, by selecting the Block Tool, make a box of the appropriate size and create it like a normal brush.

Some prefabs may have to be ungrouped (say, in the case of double doors) before they can be properly turned into entities, or before certain parts of them can be modified.

When creating prefabs, try to keep the number of brushes to a minimum. In the case of sectional prefabs (ie: hallways), it is quite easy to create a level with a large number of brushes, which will slow down your fps. Efficient carving is a technique that must be used.

When creating a set of prefabs that will consist of interconnecting objects (ie: hallways, pipes) be sure to include enough types of objects to make most kinds of connections (at the least, straight, corner, branching, and intersecting sections).

Include your email address in the library description. Feedback is always good.

When you think you have created a useful prefab, and it is as complete as you'd want it, SEND IT IN!. Remember to include a prefab data text file (available in the Prefabs section)