Staredit Network

What is Win MPQ and what is .chk (raw scenario file). How can they be used for map editting, what advantages does it give?

A map file (.scm/.scx) is an MPQ archive. WinMPQ is a program that can open MPQ archives.
Maps contain a "scenario.chk", which contains the map's data, such as terrain, unit stats, player settings, etc.

Generally there's no point in opening a map as a MPQ archive. (All you'd see is the scenario.chk, along with whatever .wav files are in the map)
WinMPQ is useful for opening StarDat.mpq and BrooDat.mpq. These files contain starcraft's and broodwar's sounds and images and things.

Unless you know the .chk specs and want to hex-edit your map because there are some things you want to do that are restricted by editors.
The first EUD triggers, for example, were done this way, because the map editors of that time didn't support the usage of extended units. Of course they have been upgraded shortly after.

There still are some things that you can not do with current editors but with hex-editing, but it usually is more effort than it is worth.

Another note: To be precise, the map is stored as "staredit\scenario.chk" in the mpq archive (pretty similar to zip/rar).

Allright, thanks.

Wait! WinMPQ does have a valid use for mapping! First, create mod files like you would with any other mods. Then insert the modded files into the map with WinMPQ. Run SCMLoader and you'll notice the effects you put in place are now there!

Oh yeah, how could I forgot about SCMLoader, it being so amazingly popular and everything.

>.<

Spread it!