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Sectors linedef

A full sector (left) and two disconnected linedefs (right), as seen in Doom Builder.

Linedefs are what make up the 'shape' (for lack of a better word) of a map. Every linedef is between two vertices and contains one or two sidedefs (which contain wall texture data). There are two major purposes of linedefs. The first is to divide the map into sectors, and the second is to trigger action specials.

Any area of a map directly behind a one-sided linedef is void space (which cannot be occupied except by using the idclip cheat code). A two-sided linedef is needed (to separate the two sectors) any time there is a change in (1) the height or texture of the floor or ceiling, (2) the light level, or (3) the sector tag or type.

There are three ways to trigger an action:

  1. walkover
  2. "use" (or "push") (with the space bar, by default)
  3. shoot (with an impact weapon)

Which of these applies depends on the linedef type number, which also specifies what particular action will occur.

The specified action usually will take place in the sector or sectors that have the same tag number as the linedef. Exceptions to this include local doors (which act on the sector on the other side of the line), special effects that apply to the linedef itself, and the exit-level actions.

Most actions can be specified as either once-only or repeating (by using different linedef types).

Linedef structure[]

Each linedef is 14 bytes long.

Doom
Offset Size (bytes) Description
0 2 Start Vertex
2 2 End Vertex
4 2 Flags
6 2 Special Type
8 2 Sector Tag
10 2 Right Sidedef[1]
12 2 Left Sidedef[1]
Hexen / ZDoom
Offset Size (bytes) Description
0 2 Start Vertex
2 2 End Vertex
4 2 Flags
6 1 Special Type
7 1 Argument 1
8 1 Argument 2
9 1 Argument 3
10 1 Argument 4
11 1 Argument 5
12 2 Right Sidedef
14 2 Left Sidedef

Linedef flags[]

Linedefs contain a two-byte (16 bit) field reserved for various flags. Flags are as follows:

Bit Hex Description ZDoom/Hexen ONLY
0 0x0001 blocks players and monsters
1 0x0002 blocks monsters
2 0x0004 two sided
3 0x0008 upper texture is unpegged
4 0x0010 lower texture is unpegged
5 0x0020 secret (shows as one-sided on automap), and monsters cannot open if it is a door (type 1)
6 0x0040 blocks sound
7 0x0080 never shows on automap
8 0x0100 always shows on automap
9 0x0200 can be activated more than once X
10-12 0x0400 activated when used by player X
10-12 0x0800 activated when crossed by monster X
10-12 0x0C00 activated when hit by projectile X
10-12 0x1000 activated when bumped player X
10-12 0x1400 activated when crossed by projectile X
10-12 0x1800 activated when used by player (with pass through) X
13 0x2000 line can be activated by players and monsters X
14 0x4000 X
15 0x8000 blocks everything (includes gunshots and missiles) X

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 The special value '-1' is used to indicate no sidedef, in one-sided lines.

See also[]

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