Since the free Lite-C version does not have a World Editor (WED) I was looking for a (free) 3rd party tool to use. I was wondering if I can use Quark or what else you all suggest.

I have A5 commercial somewhere and I will update to a7 this summer but for now the lite has to be enough.

As a 3d application I am using Lightwave so if there are any hints on using that for level design I would gladly listen

Also are there any reliable ways to get lightwave files into 3dgs?

Quark is just an editor which can call a compiler to build the map.
So - how can you compile your level into a map which can be used with lite-c?

Is the free lite-c version able to load and run a level created by WED?

You can export models from lightwave and import the fbx file with MED.
Save the model as .MDL.

afaik lite-c free can load levels created with upper versions.

@Quadraxas: Thanks, good to know. I might even use the WED from my A5 commercial. It might work.

@slacer: Lightwave can export fbx? I don't even know that format (yet). Do I need an export plugin for that?

You can export from modeler as 3DS, DXF, OBJ, COLLADA, FBX
MED allows you to import 3DS, OBJ and FBX from this list.

I use Lightwave 9.6 and also own a plugin for direct export as mdl.

I found the fbx export, I wasn't even looking in Layout at first, that's why I missed it. Thanks for the help.

What plugin for mdl export are you using?

I use a plugin from greenbriar studio in order to export my models. But you can use the other file formats, too.

I use LW 9.6 in 32Bit mode on Vista64.
Most free plugins for LW are compiled for 32bit systems and cannot be used with a 64bit version of LW.