QuArK
QuArK is a free editor for maps and, to a limited extent, models used by games built on or near the Quake engine family.
What QuArK is
QuArK is a free editor for maps and, to a limited extent, models used by games built on or near the Quake engine family. It also handles assets: sounds, textures, and other files can be imported, exported, or converted, while .pak and .pk3 archives can be modified. Compiled BSP files can be imported so their entities are inspected and changed. Map output documentation includes Classic Quake, QuArK etp, Valve 220, and Brush Primitives. The maker describes duplicators and shape builders for structures such as stairs and arches; changing an original duplicator’s texture updates its copies. Rendering options listed by the project include software, OpenGL, Direct3D, and 3Dfx Glide previews. Python plugins extend the editor, with more than 60 bundled in the installer. QuArK Explorer gathers assets into a .QRK file and links files from earlier projects into future ones. The FAQ described 31 games, while the SourceForge page lists 41 games and five generic engines. Windows binaries are available; Linux setup uses Wine. It is GPL v2 software.
Good
- Edits maps and some game models
- Imports, exports, and converts game assets
- Supports compiled BSP entity editing
- Includes duplicators and shape builders
- Extensible with bundled Python plugins
Watch out
- Model editing is limited
- Linux use requires Wine
- Floating-point map coordinates can trouble some build tools
- Game-support counts differ between listed pages
Who it suits
QuArK suits people making total conversions or editing resources for Quake-family games. It is aimed at map and asset work on Windows, with Linux use described through Wine.
Verdict
QuArK offers a broad map and asset toolkit for Quake-derived games, including plugin support and project organization. Its age-related compatibility considerations, limited model scope, and Wine-based Linux setup are important before choosing it.
Plans and prices
From QuArK's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| QuArK | Free | GNU GPL v2 · Windows binaries available |
The facts
Each one read from QuArK's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Asset tools
- It can import, export, and convert sounds, textures, and other game assets, and modify .pak and .pk3 files.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Compiled maps
- QuArK can import compiled BSP files to inspect and change their entities.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Distribution contents
- The documented Windows installer includes QuArK binaries, a bundled Python micro-distribution, and the Infobase; source and help archives are also listed as distribution files.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The FAQ describes QuArK as useful to people creating total conversions or editing resources for their games.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Known map-format limitation
- The maker warns that floating-point coordinates in QuArK maps can cause problems with build tools that cannot read them.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Map editing
- The FAQ describes duplicators and shape builders for making structures such as stairs and arches, with texture changes to an original duplicator item updating its copies.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Map formats
- Documented output map formats include Classic Quake, QuArK etp, Valve 220, and Brush Primitives.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Project organization
- QuArK Explorer can collect game assets into a single .QRK file and link files from past projects into future projects.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- QuArK edits maps and, to a limited extent, models for games using engines based on or similar to the Quake engine.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Python plugins
- The SourceForge project page says QuArK is extendable with Python plugins and that over 60 are bundled with the installer.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Rendering
- The SourceForge project page lists 3D preview using software, OpenGL, Direct3D, and 3Dfx Glide rendering.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Supported games
- The maker’s FAQ says QuArK had expanded to 31 games at the time that page was written; the SourceForge project page lists support for 41 games and 5 generic game engines.checked 8 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Linux setup
- The maker’s Linux guide describes running QuArK through Wine, a compatibility layer for Windows binaries.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The project page lists Windows; the FAQ says QuArK can be made to run on Linux.checked 8 Oct 2026
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