NetRadiant

Overview

NetRadiant is a free, open-source 3D editor for building game levels with brushes. It is best for mappers working on Xonotic or Unvanquished, where its compatibility is strongest. If your project targets another game, verify that game’s support before committing to its workflow.

Key features

NetRadiant’s brush-based workflow is purpose-built for constructing 3D game levels, rather than serving as a general-purpose game content editor. It supports about 30 other games beyond Xonotic and Unvanquished, but support varies, so the breadth is useful only if your specific title is covered well.

The included builds provide daemonmap for Unvanquished navmesh generation and Smokin’ Guns q3map2 patches. Xonotic mappers can use released game files without installing a separate mapping support package. The project traces its roots to Id Software’s GtkRadiant and is maintained by a community of gamers, mappers, modders and developers, with development driven by Xonotic and support from Unvanquished.

Pricing

NetRadiant is free and open source, with a single plan at no cost that includes the 3D game level editor. There is no paid tier or trial to consider, so the choice comes down to compatibility and setup rather than feature-gating or renewal terms.

Platforms

NetRadiant has builds for Linux 64-bit, Windows 32-bit and 64-bit, and macOS 64-bit; a FreeBSD 64-bit build is also listed. Linux users need a working GTK2 and OpenGL environment, which can make setup less straightforward than simply installing an editor. Windows users can enable optional Mesa3D rendering, including a software-rendering workaround for some older Intel chips on Windows 10. macOS support was described as new and rough in a 2022 project post, with possible multi-screen configuration problems, so Mac users should be prepared for compatibility friction.

The download page lists version 1.5.0-20220628. Builds are produced from time to time by illwieckz to provide up-to-date releases, rather than being described as a regular release schedule.

Who it's for

NetRadiant is a sensible pick for Xonotic and Unvanquished mappers who want a free brush-based editor with game-specific support, including Unvanquished navmesh tooling. It is a more cautious choice for other supported games because the depth of support differs, and a less comfortable option for Linux or macOS users who cannot accommodate the stated environment or platform caveats.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free and open source, with no paid tier or trial barrier.
• Pros: First-class compatibility with Xonotic and Unvanquished, plus included Unvanquished navmesh generation and Xonotic mapping support for released files.
• Pros: Builds span Linux, Windows and macOS, with an additional FreeBSD build.
• Cons: Support for roughly 30 other games varies, making it less dependable outside its two primary targets.
• Cons: Linux requires GTK2 and OpenGL; macOS support has been characterized as rough, including possible multi-screen issues.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, browse Game Level Editors.

Choose GridCraft if you want a freemium editor with a web platform and a free web-editor plan that includes all 19 tools and every export format.

Remere's Map Editor is another free, GPLv2-licensed option for Linux, macOS and Windows.

Sprite Fusion is a free web-edition alternative for Linux, macOS, Windows and the web, with unlimited projects and personal and commercial use.

Tiled is a free map editor with a voluntary name-your-own-price model for Linux, macOS and Windows.

DarkRadiant is a free, open-source level editor if you need one that requires game resources to be supplied separately.

Dune II - The Maker Map Editor is a free open-source remake option.

GtkRadiant is a free GPL-licensed alternative provided as-is without warranty or support.

LDtk is another free, open-source option for Linux, macOS and Windows.

Verdict

Choose NetRadiant if you map for Xonotic or Unvanquished and want a free brush-based editor with strong support for those games. Look elsewhere if your target game’s support is uncertain or your platform setup makes its Linux or macOS caveats a poor fit.