(!) Mapping Links and Resources

0nti

2007-07-06 06:13:34

I was planning to start learning a bit about hammer and how to create some nice maps. I was hoping you could give me any ideas, tips, links with information, anything that can help me get started.
Thanks in advance =).

Ko-Tao

2007-07-06 11:11:01

http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SDK_Docs

90% of what i know about hammer, i learned from there. Good luck!


Edit: Another strong mapping site:

http://www.interlopers.net/

Thorofin

2007-07-06 20:14:05

http://www.hellselite.net/modules.php?n ... 0Resources

I've got a small list of some good mapping resources on our Clans Wiki too. I would recommend the last one if you want to get into some mapping tutorials right away.

------------------------
Whoops..registration required otherwise anonymous users could screw with the entry....here's the full text:
------------------------

Wikipedia Entry on the Valve map editor Hammer, a good place to start for a nice overview.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Hammer_Editor

Official Valve Developers Community
http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SDK_Docs

The Snark Pit - One of the Best Sites and Forums out there for mapping.
http://www.snarkpit.net/forums.php

VERC Collective - Although much of the content has been moved to the Valve Developers Community, the VERC forums are still a great place to go for tips and help.
http://www.chatbear.com/board.plm?b=390

Half-Life2.net Forums - A little light, but a great place for beginners to start, with some good tutorials.
http://www.halflife2.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=11

Thorofin

2007-07-06 20:33:16

Oh...also
http://www.geocities.com/cofrdrbob/

Dr Bob's mapping utilities. These come in handy if want to Mod a map, pack custom information, test your map without loading up the game & more.

0nti

2007-07-06 23:27:18

WOW . Thanks a lot to both of you, ko-tao and thorofin.
I think this is more than enough for the moment, It will take me a while to process the info =P.

Thorofin

2007-07-07 00:43:17

Heya Admin...

Since this could be a reoccurring question, can we get a sticky on this?

Walking Target

2007-07-07 01:12:46

Done. Thread title will be changed to be more specific.

Please post any additional links you have to good mapping info in this thread.

Walking Target

2007-07-14 00:55:26

0nti

2007-07-17 20:58:53

A clan mate gave also gave me this page, which has some nice tutorials.
http://www.interlopers.net/

Thorofin

2007-07-17 21:23:33

Onti..

Interlopers is mentioned in the first reply post already. It was added last week.

0nti

2007-07-18 08:47:26

OMG I can swear I didnt see it, I went directly to the first page. =S
Sorry.

[EYE] Valar

2008-03-25 21:05:30

a few links to sites and tuts i've come across in my work and found useful (Some may be duplicates with what's been posted here already. maybe we should compile some sort of static page with a link list that'll be updated periodically) :

http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Main_Page

http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki ... vel_Design

http://www.chatbear.com/unity2/4989?v=flatold

http://www.chaosincarnate.net/cannonfodder/cftools.htm

http://www.editlife.net/entity.php

http://www.geocities.com/cofrdrbob/entspy.html

http://www.hl2world.com/wiki/index.php/ ... gTutorials

http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/index.php?p=1

http://www.hl2world.com/wiki/index.php/ ... eometry%29

http://www.geocities.com/cofrdrbob/pakrat.html

http://www.geocities.com/cofrdrbob/pakrat.html

http://www.slackiller.com/tommy14/errors.htm

How to add custom sounds to your map : http://www.hl2world.com/wiki/index.php/ ... n_your_map

Cubemaps placement : http://www.interlopers.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2005

Creating a sewer / pit : http://www.snarkpit.net/editing.php?pag ... HL2&id=162

Hint brush tut : http://fps.brainerd.net/hintbrushes.htm

Check errors in your map : http://www.interlopers.net/errors/

Simple door tut : http://www.gamedesign.net/node/669

Awesome website from a mapping master Zombie@computer. a MUST READ FOR ANY MAPPER:

http://rvanhoorn.ruhosting.nl/optimization.php


a German site for editing and mapping ...http://www.thewall.de/

Please let me know if any or the links is broken or with any questions.
i'm planning on starting a dedicated thread with hands-on tips for mapping and for us to have a sort of online board for errors and mapping issues. . ..

Paradox

2008-03-26 02:11:45

This book is good for starting out with Hammer

http://www.amazon.com/Half-Life-Mods-Du ... 662&sr=1-3

Fearsome*

2008-05-28 21:46:45

Don't ever buy a book all those guys do is basically put the stuff you can get online in the book then jack you for 20$. Unless you have some reason you want a hard copy such as for a long trip. I say that also as a general rule for anything computer related.

Starting you should do just a 1 room map go through the tutorials at any of those sites. Like this one http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Your_First_Map
Too many people want to jump right in and think they will make zeta then they come to me with the stupidest question. You have to start small. And understand the basic building blocks and know you can actually compile the map or heck you have to know what compiling even is.

Walking Target

2008-05-29 03:26:51

Compiling: Putting all your team combine spawns in one place.

Paradox

2008-05-29 04:40:06

Fearsome* wrote:Don't ever buy a book all those guys do is basically put the stuff you can get online in the book then jack you for 20$. Unless you have some reason you want a hard copy such as for a long trip. I say that also as a general rule for anything computer related.

Starting you should do just a 1 room map go through the tutorials at any of those sites. Like this one http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Your_First_Map
Too many people want to jump right in and think they will make zeta then they come to me with the stupidest question. You have to start small. And understand the basic building blocks and know you can actually compile the map or heck you have to know what compiling even is.
I like having a book because I can have the book open and the screen on the same thing I am trying to do. I dont have to print out a gazzilion pages and then file them, mix them up or lose them. I can refer to the book and work on the screen without having to go through this:

1. Look at what I am trying to do on the online reference page and study it for at least a minute trying to memorize the steps.
2. Minimize the reference page.
3. Try to remember wtf I was looking for/at and what the steps were.
4. Maximize the reference page "oh yea"
5. Minimize the reference page, "oh crap its not working...wtf!"
6. Maximize the reference page "OHHHH !!! DUH, You dumbass!"
7. Minimize the refernece page "There, got that goddamned thing done. Next..."

Book on how to....$20
Side by side visual reference....PRICELESS!

Beef

2008-08-22 02:40:05

I thought this tut site was gone, but it's up again. http://sdknuts.net/

Sadist

2008-12-15 17:26:21

The mapping council forum, hosted by TSF clan:

http://www.rtype.com/TSF-Clan/forum/default.asp?C=12

Mapping Support available here, questions welcome.

[EYE] Valar

2008-12-18 04:29:27

something i've had since before mud. not sure why i never posted this before

http://www.editlife.net/tutorial.php?tutid=35

:ninja:says: learn ya toolstextures





val

boshed

2008-12-24 21:42:55

Couldn't see this one sorry if it's here and I'm blind.

http://www.halfwit-2.com/ - some great entity tutorials and experiments, material packs etc. Aimed at HL2 SP but most of them work for DM too.

[EYE] Valar

2008-12-24 22:29:25

u can't see the page? i dont get it.

Beef

2008-12-25 01:37:19

[EYE] Valar wrote:u can't see the page? i dont get it.
It works.

gtamike_TSGK

2009-02-04 23:35:34

Walking Target wrote:Sadist's site:

http://sadistcouncil.co.uk
Good site here's a useful topic with links.
http://hl2mapping.30.forumer.com/index.php?showtopic=11
Topic link on my site also

[EYE] Valar

2009-04-15 06:45:06

i'm getting anywhere from 2 to 5 hits a day from people asking for help with Hammer.
i'm super willing to help but 99% of the questions are very very basic and we have a huge amount of info on the net with tutorials that usually explain things much better than i can in Steam PM.
so...here's ya harmless bump for today :mrgreen:

val

Paradox

2009-04-15 07:26:16

Yep and now that I have 2 monitors on my computer, I can put what I am working with on one and the online tutorials on the other.

WIN! :D

[EYE] Valar

2009-05-06 23:18:25

Here's the full list of every keyboard shortcut for Hammer:

Tools:

Shift+S - Pointer Tool
Shift+G - Magnify Tool
Shift+C - Camera Tool
Shift+E - Entity Tool
Shift+B - Block Tool
Shift+A - Texture Application Tool
Shift+T - Apply Current Texture
Shift+D - Decal Tool
Shift+O - Overlay Tool
Shift+X - Clipping Tool
Shift+V - Vertex Edit Tool

File Operations:

Ctrl+N – Create a new file.
Ctrl+O – Open an existing file.
Ctrl+S – Save the current file.
Alt+B – Export again.
F9 – Run/Compile Map.
Ctrl+Shift+S – Open Sound Browser.

Undo/Redo:

Ctrl+Z – Undo.
Ctrl+Y – Redo.

Clipboard/Selection:

Ctrl+C – Copy objects to clipboard (also Ctrl+Insert).
Ctrl+V – Paste objects from clipboard (also Shift+Insert).
Ctrl+X – Cut objects to clipboard (also Shift+del).
Shift+Q or Esc – Clear current selections.
PgUp – Previous selection in "hit" list.
PgDn – Next selection in "hit" list .
Alt+Enter – Open up Object Properties for the currently selected objects.

Grid:

[ – Decrease the size of the grid.
] – Increase the size of the grid.
Shift+R – Toggle grid on/off.
Shift+W – Toggle snap to grid.
P – Toggle 3D grid on and off (with mouse cursor in 3D view).

Grouping:

Ctrl+G – Group selected objects.
Ctrl+U – Ungroup selected groups.
Ctrl+R – Create prefab with selected objects.
Ctrl+T – Tie to entity. Creates an entity with selected objects, or adds objects to an existing entity if one is also selected.
Ctrl+W – Toggle Ignore Groups mode to bypass entity and group selection.
Ctrl+Shift+W – Move selected solid entities to world.

Carving/Hollowing:

Ctrl+Shift+C - Carve selected objects.
Ctrl+H - Hollow selected objects.
Viewports
Ctrl+A – Auto-size 4 views to center.
Shift+Z – Maximize/restore current viewport.
Arrow keys – Nudge the current selection in the current 2D or 3D viewport.
Shift+Arrow keys – Clone the current selection and nudge it the current 2D or 3D viewport.
F6 – Cycles to the next active viewport.
F6 – Cycles to the previous active viewport.

2D Views:

Ctrl+I – Flip selected objects vertically.
Ctrl+L – Flip selected objects horizontally.
Ctrl+B – Snap selected objects to grid (based on bounding box).
Ctrl+Shift+B – Snap selected objects to grid (individually).
Tab – Switch view types (top/side/front).
+/- – Zoom in/out (hold Ctrl to synchronize all 2D views).
Mouse Wheel – Zoom in/out (hold Ctrl to synchronize all 2D views).
1 to 9 – Preset zoom levels.
Space – Hold space and left mouse button to drag view position.
Alt – Disable snap to grid while dragging with the mouse.
Ctrl+E – Center 2D Views on currently selected objects.
Mouse Wheel – Zoom in/out (hold Ctrl to synchronize all 2D views).

3D View:

Space - While holding the spacebar:
Holding the left mouse button allows you to rotate your angle of view in any direction, while the viewing point remains stationary.
Holding the right mouse button will allow you to move left, right, up, and down while keeping the viewing angle constant.
Space+Shift - While holding the spacebar and Shift:
The left mouse button acts the same as above.
The right mouse button allows you to move forward and backward, as well as from side to side.
Mouse Wheel – Zoom in/out.
W – Move camera forward.
S – Move camera backward.
A – Move camera (strafe) left.
D – Move camera (strafe) right.
z – Toggles 3D view "noclip" navigation mode.
P – Toggle 3D grid on and off (with mouse cursor in 3D view).
O – Display frames per second and yaw/pitch of camera (with mouse cursor in 3D view).
1 – Decrease far clipping plane.
2 – Increase far clipping plane.
Ctrl+Shift+E – Center 3D View on selection.

Selection Tool:

Ctrl – Hold Ctrl and click to select multiple objects.
Shift – Hold Shift when rotating to constrain rotation to 15 degrees; hold Shift when moving an object to create a copy (clone) of that object.
Left mouse – Click and drag left mouse button to select with a box; press Enter to select objects hitting the box, or press Shift+Enter to select objects only entirely within the box.
Esc – Cancel current selection

Camera Tool:

Shift or Alt – Hold Shift or Alt and click and drag left mouse button to create a new camera.
PgUp – Cycle to the previous camera position.
PgDn – Cycle to the next camera position.
Delete – Delete the current camera position.
Ctrl – Hold Ctrl and drag a camera or its point of interest to move both together.

Block Tool:

Left Mouse – Click and drag left mouse to draw a new brush shape.
Enter – Create object drawn with block/entity tool.
Esc – Delete object drawn with block/entity tool without creating it.
Alt+Shift+C – Insert original prefab.

Texture Application Tool:

Ctrl – Hold Ctrl and click to select multiple faces.
Shift – Hold Shift and click a face to select all faces on the brush.
Shift+Ctrl – Hold Shift and Ctrl, click a face to add all faces on the brush to the current selection.
Right-click – Apply the current material settings to the face that is clicked.
Alt+Right-click – Apply the current material settings to the face that is clicked, with wrapping.
Displacement Editing Tool, Select Mode
Ctrl – Hold Ctrl and click to select multiple faces.
Shift – Hold Shift and click a face to select all faces on the brush.
Shift+Ctrl – Hold Shift and Ctrl, click a face to add all faces on the brush to the current selection.
Displacement Editing Tool, Paint Geometry Mode
Ctrl – Hold Ctrl and click to select multiple faces.
Alt – hold Alt and drag to alter the size of the spatial editing brush.
Shift – hold Shift and drag a vertex to nudge the vertex along the editing axis.
Alt+Right-click – Click any brush or displacement face to make that face’s normal the current painting axis.
Displacement Editing Tool, Paint Alpha mode
Ctrl – Hold Ctrl and click to select multiple faces.
Shift+Ctrl – Hold Shift and Ctrl, click a face to add all faces on the brush to the current selection.

Overlay Tool:

Shift – Hold Shift and drag a overlay vertex to snap it to another vertex.
Ctrl – hold Ctrl and click to select multiple overlays.
Clipper Tool
Left mouse– Click and drag left mouse to create a new clip plane.
Shift – Hold Shift and drag with the left mouse button to create a new clip plane without performing the previous clip.
Enter – Perform clip
Ctrl – hold Ctrl and drag with the left mouse button to move both handles of the clipping plane.
O – Toggle clip distance display on and off (with mouse cursor in 2D view).
Shift+X – Cycle through clip modes.
Vertex Edit Tool
Ctrl+F – Split faces (vertex manipulation) – must have two edges or vertices selected.
Alt+E – Open Vertex Scaling dialog.
Enter – Close Vertex Scaling dialog and perform scale.
Shift+V – Cycle vertex/edge display modes.

Miscellaneous:

Shift+L – Toggle Texture lock.
Ctrl+M – Open Transform dialog.
Alt+P – Open Check for Problems dialog.
Esc – Abort current tool/mouse operation (drag/drop) or clear current selection.
Ctrl+Shift+G – Go to Brush Number dialog.
Ctrl+Shift+F – Open Find Entities dialog.
Ctrl+Shift+R – Open Replace Entities dialog.

taken from this page.
While i'm going through those i will find any errors if i do i will correct the list.

val

Da1

2009-05-08 07:41:44

Valar is code name for mapping computer. I swear.

boshed

2009-05-08 17:03:43

Da1 wrote:Valar is code name for mapping computer. I swear.
Sussed him ages ago :D
boshed wrote:I thought everybody knew Val is really a gigantic brain in a jar wired up to hammer and the internet?

[EYE] Valar

2009-05-08 17:14:45

the farthest thing from it. you have no idea da1.
i'm no more than an inspired amateur.

haymaker

2009-05-20 07:41:54

valar that is front page work for sure.

Here's another page which I stumbled upon, TONS of stuff on just about everything

http://www.facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=519418

Skaruts

2010-04-20 11:13:28

Hmm, I have this website bookmarked for long, a friend of mine reminded me of this thread, I don't know if you still need anything more that all the stuff that rained here already :mrgreen: but I'll leave it here anyway.
It's from where I learned most of what I know about optimization, I'd say its the best tutorials I've seen about it, but I haven't seen that many, so I dunno.
You be the judge.

http://rvanhoorn.ruhosting.nl/optimizat ... pter=intro

If you like the tutorials, I'd advise you to copy the text into some word docs, cuz I seen this website down for some time, some time ago, but fortunately it came back.
Don't save the pages, the text in the tutorials will not be saved. That was my mistake back then.

Hope it still helps you out somehow. Happy mapping.

boshed

2010-04-20 20:51:39