I have been trying to download mappacks and I have been downloading them to my custom_level folder but I don't know how to get them to work? Can anyone help me out and explain from start to finish on how to do this process correctly? It has been a frustraiting 3 days of trying to do it myself. Also do I need the WinZip program for these downloads?

Are we takking Graw 1 or 2 ???

The files you downloaded if as you say have been put into a custom folder how did you do this without a zip programme.

Did you read the instructions that came with the map or map pack ?????????????

Modders put a read me inside these files to tell you how to go about using the mods.

Are you ok using computers and files ????????????/

ColinCJ,
Thanks for the relpy, I am running Graw2. I was able to download the file directly to customs_level folder, but it goes in as a bundle file, I have been out of the gamining scean for a while now and I am getting back into it, so I have never heard about bundle files before and the software to use it with (or if I even need software).
Chewbacca

Most of the time these files are zipped.

Example.
TDM_Dam_Maps.zip this is a folder that has been zipped.

You need a unzipper like winzip or other such tool.

When you open the file ie unzip it you will be asked to select a file location.

I find it better to unzip this type of file just to my desk top and then open the folder I want to drop it in.

Any way this link gives an example of a ziped foldhttp://files.filefront.com/TDM+Dam+Mapszip/;8463776;/fileinfo.htmler.

If you download the file say to your desktop.

Then right click it and extract to say desktop.

The bundle file is the map file it will have a name with it.

Some maps are only mp so you need to make sure the server you go on also has this map or the other way round.

If you want to play the map on your todd you can creat a mp game in the console and then select what maps you want to play on.

Then invite over a couple of mates.

Graw does have a readme file and does expalin this.

I hope you get that.

There's a lot of maps that have several different versions to them, like coop_fort, coop_fort_day, coop_fort_day_v2...you will likely run into a server now and again that runs a map you don't have when you think you do. Just remember that you need to be running a map with the exact name of the map they are running.Your custom_levels folder should look like this (Not all the maps, obviously, but it covers just about every server in the servers list (co-op).):

I was having the same problems.I just down loaded win zip then opened map pack with win zip which extracted the files.some of the map packs install them selves to your custom maps folder when you click on them,other maps i had to move them there manually.
i am still haveing trouble with map packs ending with .rar extentions.does anyone know what program to use to extract these types of files???

WinRAR 3.71
http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm

Also bear in mind that certain custom maps like the snakebite (cobracrufiles.com) maps will need thier own setting in the dedicated server .xml file otherwise you will not be able to run them on a server.
Just to make things easier !!!!