Even fairly optimized maps can take a long time to compile VIS, therefore it is useful to compile only RAD if you only want to change the lighting. Editing the light values in the editor and then attempting to recompile the map won't work, as RAD only works with BSP files and will ignore the MAP file exported by the editor. Therefore, the lighting of the compiled BSP must be edited with RIPENT, a tool for exporting and importing entity data, before recompiling with RAD.
Requisites
Using RIPENT to edit entity data
Export
Use the command line to run RIPENT on your map with the
-export
parameter. This will create an ENT file in the directory your map is in.
Modify
Modify the entity file as you see fit.
Import
Import the new entity file with the
-import
parameter. If you have baked textures (
zhlt_embedlightmap
), it may be a good idea to use
-deleteembeddedlightmaps
too.
Compile
Compile your map with RAD.
If you reload your map in-game, you should have the new lighting.