SLADE3

SLADE3 is a free desktop editor for Doom-engine games and source ports, available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It can create, open, save, import, export, convert, and organize archive resources, with multiple archives open in tabs and resources copied or pasted between them. Supported formats include Doom WAD and ZIP/PK3, Quake PAK and WAD2, Build GRP and ART, Shadowcaster DAT and LIB, and Amulets & Armor RES. Its map editor handles Doom, Hexen, and UDMF maps, with 3D editing and automatic sector generation. A text editor offers syntax highlighting, calltips, autocomplete, auto-indent, and find-and-replace. SLADE3 can view and convert graphics, edit Doom composite textures, export images to PNG, and play MUS, MIDI, XMI, HMI, HMP, and other audio formats. The latest stable release listed is 3.2.12, and beta version 3.3.0 Beta 2 is also available. The maker warns that beta software may have bugs, crashes, or unfinished features. The source repository identifies SLADE as GPL-2.0 licensed.

SLADE3 brings archive, map, text, graphics, and audio tools together for Doom-engine projects. The stable release is listed separately from a beta that may contain bugs, crashes, or unfinished features.

SLADE3 suits people editing resources, maps, graphics, or text for Doom-engine games and source ports. Users who need a stable release can choose version 3.2.12 rather than the listed beta.

SLADE3 is a free desktop editor for Doom-engine games and source ports, best suited to modders working across archives, levels, scripts, and assets. Its main advantage is bringing those jobs together; its narrow game focus makes it a poor fit for general-purpose asset work.

Overview

SLADE3 combines archive management with tools for editing maps, text, graphics, textures, and audio. It can create, open, save, import, export, reorder, convert, and revert archive resources, while tabs let users keep multiple archives open and copy or paste between them. Batch extraction and archive repacking help with larger file-management jobs. This breadth is more useful for a project spanning several asset types than a tool dedicated only to extraction.

Its archive support includes Doom WAD and ZIP/PK3, Quake PAK and WAD2, Build GRP and ART, Shadowcaster DAT/LIB, and Amulets & Armor RES, among other formats. That coverage is valuable for compatible game-resource workflows, but does not make SLADE3 a universal editor for all games.

Key features

Maps and text

The map editor works with Doom, Hexen, and UDMF maps, including 3D editing, automatic sector generation, and advanced source-port features. Level creators can work on maps alongside their other resources instead of relying on an archive-only tool. The text editor adds syntax highlighting, function calltips, autocomplete, auto-indent, and find-and-replace, a useful set of conveniences for editing project text and scripts.

Graphics, textures, and audio

SLADE3 can view and convert graphics, remap palettes, and export images to PNG. It also supports Doom composite textures and ZDoom texture definitions, giving texture work a place in the same resource workflow. Audio playback covers MUS, MIDI, XMI, HMI, HMP, and other formats. These tools make the application more than a file browser, though they remain oriented toward game assets rather than broad creative production.

External tools and maturity

ACS compilation depends on an external ACC program, while PNG optimization can use PNGOUT, PNGCrush, and DeflOpt. Those integrations extend the workflow but require users to bring the named tools. The latest stable release is 3.2.12 for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Version 3.3.0 Beta 2 is also offered on those platforms, but its maker cautions that beta software may have bugs, crashes, or unfinished features; users prioritizing predictability should choose stable.

Pricing

SLADE3 costs nothing. The free desktop editor is the product, with no paid tier or usage cap stated. Its developer describes it as a hobby project and accepts optional donations and code contributions, so users can support development without a subscription. The source repository identifies the software as GPL-2.0 licensed.

Platforms

SLADE3 is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS, including both the stable release and the latest listed beta. Support is available through Discord, a ZDoom forum thread, direct email, and GitHub issue reports.

Who it's for

SLADE3 is the right choice for Doom-engine modders and source-port creators who need to manage archives while editing maps, text, graphics, textures, or audio. Its range of supported formats and combined workflow are strong reasons to choose it over a narrow extractor. Users working outside its game and format focus, or who need a general asset editor, should look elsewhere. The product's feature description does not establish security certifications or compliance, which may matter in managed environments.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Archive creation, conversion, extraction, repacking, and multi-archive tabs support varied resource-management tasks in one desktop application.
• Pros: Map editing covers Doom, Hexen, and UDMF, with 3D editing and automatic sector generation for level work.
• Pros: The editor is free across Windows, Linux, and macOS, and includes tools for text, graphics, textures, and audio.
• Cons: Its focus is Doom-engine games and related formats, limiting its relevance to projects outside that ecosystem.
• Cons: ACS compilation relies on an external ACC program, and the beta may contain bugs, crashes, or unfinished features.

Alternatives

For a broader set of game-asset options, browse Game Asset Extractors.

• arcdEx is a free Linux alternative if a reader wants a tool whose README credits Christian Weiske as its author.
• Rusted PackFile Manager is a free option for Linux, Windows, API, or self-hosted environments, under an MIT license requiring a copyright notice.
• Source 2 Viewer is a free, open-source, reverse-engineered option for Linux, macOS, web, or Windows.
• AssetRipper offers stable and nightly free builds for Linux, macOS, and Windows, as well as a $10 a month premium plan.
• Crowbar is a free Windows alternative.
• Crowbar is another free Windows alternative.
• Game Asset Tool is a free Windows download with optional support contributions.
• OpenKH is a free option for Linux, macOS, and Windows, licensed under Apache-2.0 and requiring the .NET 8.0 Runtime.

Verdict

Choose SLADE3 if you make Doom-engine content and want archive, map, text, graphics, texture, and audio tools in one free application. Its strongest reason to choose is the breadth of compatible resource work it brings together; look elsewhere if your projects need a general-purpose editor or fall outside its supported game formats. For a more dependable release, use stable 3.2.12 rather than the beta.