Newbie here looking for help of all kinds in hammer.

[zovek]

I'm new and I've been messing with hammer for a couple of weeks now. I've been starting to make a new map that I've thought of for a while now which is a mansion. So far I have a drawn map top down view but not made it in hammer. So far in hammer ive made the front of the mansion but nothing else. I want to know how to make every thing look very detailed and good. I also need help with creating stairs that are in the front enterance. These are the big curved stairs that most mansions have. With the props availble to me I can't make this. Also it seems I don't have the textures availble to me to be able to make the inside of the mansion.

My next plee for help is how can I improve at making maps in hammer so I could make some worthwhile maps.

Any feedback would be much appreciated.

[RaVaGe]

Try to do your mansion by yourself -> fail -> try again.

[Thrik]

Too vague. You need to create one thing at a time, and if you can't figure it out ask for help.

 

Tip: You shouldn't be using props for the structure of the map, and that includes stairs. You need to use the regular shape/brush tools. You can create most things by starting with a cube and using the vertex editor to shape it as desired, adding extra sides and vertex points using the clip tool when necessary.

 

This is all super-basic stuff so you should go to the Source SDK Wiki or something and read some total beginner tutorials, most people haven't really got time to hold your hand through the basics. This one looks good:

 

https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/L4D_Level_Design/Your_First_L4D_Level

[Squad]

You need to start with the basics, don't try to make everything look extremely detailed yet. Learn to walk, before you learn to run.

Learn the basics of hammer, how it works, get acustomed to using it. It's okay if your first map is not living up to your expectations. I'm sure everybody's first map was total rubbish.

 

Here's some links to get you started:

 

http://www.worldofleveldesign.com/

http://www.tophattwaffle.com/

https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Level_Design_Video_Tutorials

http://www.moddb.com/tutorials/beginners-guide-to-valve-hammer-editor

 

You can find a ton of other useful info and tutorials out there. Just Google for something like "hammer tutorial", "source mapping", ...

[Tutorial Doctor]

Hi zovek, I am a a novice myself. Looking for help too. But I found a very good series on Youtube by WORLDOFLEVELDESIGN. Has some good stuff on making games/maps. 

 

I recently found out how to use Normal maps (totally new to this) and how useful they are in adding the APPEARANCE of a lot of detail when there isn't that much detail

 

Example: Making a simple plane look like a brick wall (actually look like one)

 

You may not be as much of a beginner like I am, but that worldofleveldesign thing might help.

[Dalannar]

I would recommend both World of Level design and tophattwaffle. They both do great beginner tutorials. But you should try to learn the tools you have available and then find out how to use them on your own. That's how I learned most of what I know, just trying out stuff over the years I've been using hammer.

 

But above all else, if you do feel you need help, DO NOT watch 3kliksphilip on youtube. Many beginners are drawn to him. And yes, his videos are quite good and he is very good at communicating and expressing his ideas, but what he teaches people in his videos is god damn awful most of the time.

 

As for not having the textures you want or need that's quite normal, since they were made to suit valve's needs, not your's. You'll have to be quite creative with how you use them, mixing and matching them to get the desired effect, or taking the time to make your own and get that extra bit of satisfaction once everything is finished.

[BaRRaKID]

http://www.interlopers.net/tutorials/

Edited October 7, 2013 by barrakid

[zovek]

Ill watch other things then 3k. Are there any advanced texturing tutorials?

[Spherix]

Yes, check this out.

[-HP-]

Yes, check this out.

 

[selmitto]

What's the prob with 3kliksphilip's tutorials? 

[Tutorial Doctor]

I see the ''see google'' joke quite often on forums, but honestly, just typing something in google doesn't always lend a good result. It is the reason I created my website. It is a collection of GOOD and SIMPLE, FREE tutorials. And actually it takes a while to find tutorials like that (frustrating as well).

 

You can find some 3D tutorials on my website under the ART section if you want to take a peak:

 

www.tutorialdoctor.weebly.com

Edited October 8, 2013 by Tutorial Doctor

[Spherix]

I was waiting for you to post links to that website of yours; I don't understand why you did in this topic though. Your website is more confusing than Google to me, if there is a need for a tutorial on  texturing towards Source/Hammer, I would not look under art. Especially not on a website that features 'tutorials' on life, the universe and everything. But hey, everyone has an opinion, right? Even your site would have to be found by him, perhaps via Google?

[Evert]

I don't think "see google" is meant as a joke. It's literally the best way of learning programs/techniques ever, especially for something that has had a great BIG community for 10-15 years. Even the official valve dev page is full of valueable information.

I mean of course a forum is a good place to get help and feedback, that's the main purpose. But when someone needs to ask questions regarding the most documented and basic things they come across as lazy instead of 'creative souls bursting with optimism lmao'.

[Tutorial Doctor]

I was waiting for you to post links to that website of yours; I don't understand why you did in this topic though. Your website is more confusing than Google to me, if there is a need for a tutorial on  texturing towards Source/Hammer, I would not look under art. Especially not on a website that features 'tutorials' on life, the universe and everything. But hey, everyone has an opinion, right? Even your site would have to be found by him, perhaps via Google?

The response is to the need to "make worthwhile maps," and to "help of all kinds." Whether it be in hammer or in UDK or in CRY etc, making a worthwhile map (that part there) is general.

I don't know if any info on my site can help, but if it can, good.

I will be looking for tutorials on hammer to add to my site (if I can find any good or "worthwhile" ones)