Map Making

[Puscifer]

I have recently started using the Hammer editor to make maps for CSS, do any of u guys make maps and could u recommend some good sites for tutorials?

heres some screens of one im working on, eventually i want to make a Vineyard with a few feilds and an estate at the top of a hill:)

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa172/Puscifer0101/phpN4xb61PM.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa172/Puscifer0101/php8nUFrYPM.jpg

[iRelentless]

You seem to have got the hang of the basics so the next step would be to make sure you take the time to learn how to keep your map optimized. (it can be a bit of a steep learning curve for some but its worth it in the end)

http://www.student.ru.nl/rvanhoorn/optimization.ph p (http://www.student.ru.nl/rvanhoorn/optimization.php)


I used to know some good sites for general tutorials but I cant remember them anymore. I've heard good about the valve developer community though. http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Category:L evel_Design (http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Category:Level_Design)

[Puscifer]

thats one of the things i need to know, im not sure how to delete or change the texture of just one side of a wall.

the walls u see in the screens are actually 6 sided walls (and dont need to be for optimization) is the anyway i can just select one side and edit it on its own?

[iRelentless]

There are two skinning tools, one skins every side of the brush (cube) you have selected, the other allows you to select individual faces. They should be right next to each other. (holding ctrl while clicking lets you to select multiple faces)

EDIT: The solid brick cube tool applies the current texture to any selected brushes, and the one with 3 different colour sides is the individual face version.



I just re-read some parts of the guide and you may want to mess around a little more to get really familiar with hammer before learning optimization. I remember it being very daunting to start with then after getting more familiar with hammer it wasn't as hard to pick up.

[Hona]

I would recommend http://www.interlopers.net/, helluva good site for leveldesign.

[Dead Fish]

Here is a Zombie Master forum thread (http://www.zombiemaster.org/smf/index.php?topic=4040.0), that might help you choose the right settings for certain lighting scenarios. (sunny/cloudy/clear morning/day/evening and so on)

It's the only guide of this kind I've found so far. Anything similar would be appreciated. :)

[Deltus]

Learned hammer a few years ago, but i have never found anything worth mapping for.. i have however jotted a few ideas down on paper for possible L4D maps at some point in the ever seeming distant future when L4D is released.

[arsis]

www.interlopers.net (http://www.interlopers.net)

i am currently making a l4d map.

hit me up if you [or anyone] wants to go all out and make a map with more than 1 person JUST for l4d. the director does the rest...

[Eddy_of_the_dead]

shame i dont have the patience to make maps ive got some realy good ideas........(hum hum cruisefreakingship cough cough)

[Puscifer]

i am currently making a l4d map.

hit me up if you [or anyone] wants to go all out and make a map with more than 1 person JUST for l4d. the director does the rest...

i would love to help, but how can u make a l4d map before the sdk content is released???

i was under the impression that u had to start hammer up with the right game cintent first.

[Dead Fish]

You can do a lot of things without the SDK update. For instance, you can start making a map for HL² Singleplayer (or CS:S) and do all the brushwork and lighting. Textures and models can be used from HL² or any other Source game as well. Then, as soon as the game gets released, you exchange those with L4D's own content. (We don't need the SDK update for that, since all models and textures can be extracted from the GCF.) This way, you can plan and even playtest your map long before release.

Imo the biggest challenge will be to create a balanced map, without knowing the Director or much of the Boss's tactics. But since there are people who played the game already, we have some experience at hand. :P I did search the forums a little bit and found this excellent post (http://www.left4dead411.com/forums/index.php?action=vthread&forum=2&topic=348&page=0) by squerl (in the middle of the page). :)

Tbh, I don't expect them to give us the Left 4 Dead SDK before 2009, but that's just speculation.

[Puscifer]

ahhh i see, cool!

little update to show u how im doing with mine lol:)

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa172/Puscifer0101/cs_vineyard0002.jpg

seems to have shrunk:S lol

anyway u can see the map a little:)

[Dead Fish]

Looks nice, so far. :)

I think we need a WIP-thread (work in progress), where everybody, who is mapping for Left 4 Dead, can show screenshots and get feedback and ideas.

/edit: Cool, thanks for making one. ^^

[Puscifer]

I think we need a WIP-thread (work in progress), where everybody, who is mapping for Left 4 Dead, can show screenshots and get feedback and ideas.

yea good idea, we can keep each other up to speed on our projects:P

[Gforcemember45]

well i can't make i map to save my life, but i'm an alpha and beta tester for maps. Ever since halo 1, for pc, i've been finding holes in maps, glitches, and other problems. So if you need a tester im available.

[arsis]

http://www.gamewag.com/hl2.html#architecture

Wow.

[one of them]

The site I use most for Tutorials is www.fpsbanana.com (http://www.fpsbanana.com)
Also... I am currently experiencing mappers block... and if anyone CAN'T map and has an idea they would like to see become a map... don't be afraid to express it. Because I'm out.

[Atari]

How about some pics of what you have so far?

[arsis]

I think my next major project is going to be a huge church.

[Atari]

Common mapping ppl, more pics of your L4D maps!

[arsis]

Atari
You've already seen this thread, but it has my FIRST map I've ever made in it.

http://www.left4dead411.com/forums/index.php?actio n=vthread&forum=3&topic=1725&page=0 (http://www.left4dead411.com/forums/index.php?action=vthread&forum=3&topic=1725&page=0)

I've started another, but haven't gotten very far on it. I think I might trash it and start that church. I'm thinking very dark, very creepy, very bloody.