Ī third party program capable of extracting tags from maps, including single player maps shipped with Halo. Used to populate maps, add spawn points, weapons, vehicles, AI, etc., directly on the level geometry, similar to the HaloPC modder's tool named. Definitely a program you want to get familiar with if you want to make custom weapons, vehicles, etc.
Used to open and modify tags and settings.
Several user interfaces have been created for it which make it more user friendly, such as Tool++. It's a command line program which takes arguments. The HEK also has a tutorial which explains how the maps are made. Like Custom Edition, the HEK is also free and officially unsupported.
It is basically the same tools Bungie used to create Halo, but adapted to the changes made to CE's game engine.
The HEK is a package put together by Gearbox Software which allows owners of HaloPC who've downloaded the CE expansion pack to create custom maps and map components, such as weapons and vehicles.
