Learning Hammer

    I've been wanting to learn Hammer and get familiar with the source engine for some time now, what would you guys recommend I focus on? Aside from the obvious of learning how the editor works. My goal at the moment is to make basic maps with it and eventually throw my own content in it. I'm comfortable with the UDK and CE2 but as an aspiring environment artist, I've never focused on making maps in them, just getting my art in engine and setting up materials, lighting, etc.

    Hopefully the question isn't too vague. Perhaps a better way to rephrase it, knowing what you know now, what do you all wish you learned when you first started?

    Quote from Campaignjunkie

    Ctrl + E = center 2D grid views on selected objectCtrl + Shift + E = teleport 3D camera view to selected object

    Shift = clone object

    shift + Z: Maximize/minimize current viewport

    shift + x: clipping tool

    shift + v: vertex tool

    On texture alignment tool: Select a face, hold alt + right click another face: use this to transfer texture UVs from one face to another. Really useful to texture curved things since you don't need to guess the texture angle.

    Oh and the most important of all: CTRL + S. Use this every 5 seconds if you don't want to become a sad person.

    Shift + S: selection tool

    Shift + A: Face Edit (Texture alignment tool as called by minos)

    Shift + B: Block tool

    So far sounds like shortcuts are good to know

    Thanks everyone, any specifics regarding the more technical aspects such as Warby posted? I don't want to start doing certain things and realize down the road I've been going about it wrong.

    Quote from dux

    ctrl + alt + del. Go use something else.

    Haha, is it that bad? It's not like I've never used the editor before, I just haven't gotten deep into it yet like I want to. Perhaps waiting until Valve releases their updated toolset would be a better option?

    Quote from madgernader

    Shift + B: Block tool

    I literally use this once for every map I make. everything else is a shift+drag copy, and if i need another cube and only have angled brushes, i clip the sides straight.

    another shortcut i only learned recently which is sometimes useful - hold space and drag to pan the 2d viewports. for years i've been zooming out and back in again to pan around, so that can save some time.

    Quote from the0rthopaedicsurgeon

    I literally use this once for every map I make. everything else is a shift+drag copy, and if i need another cube and only have angled brushes, i clip the sides straight.

    another shortcut i only learned recently which is sometimes useful - hold space and drag to pan the 2d viewports. for years i've been zooming out and back in again to pan around, so that can save some time.

    Makes sense, I do the same a lot of the time.

    Nice find on the 2d view port thing, I also always zoomed in and out with the mouse to move it around never really thought about it.

    func_detail the hell out of your map! serious! use them a lot. if you want to cut out a window in a building: make the wall a func_detail. just beause it bares the name detail, doesnt mean you should only use it for small pieces. but remember: func_detail does not block visibility and hence it can reduce can reduce compile time drastically.

    Quote from hessi

    func_detail the hell out of your map! serious! use them a lot. if you want to cut out a window in a building: make the wall a func_detail. just beause it bares the name detail, doesnt mean you should only use it for small pieces. but remember: func_detail does not block visibility and hence it can reduce can reduce compile time drastically.

    yup. set func_detail as your default entity, then just use ctrl + t to make everything func detail. also ctrl + m is transform modifier, i use this alot.

    Tools->Options->2D views

    check "arrow keys nudge selected object/vertex"

    check "default to 15 degree rotations" (you can still rotate freely with shift)

    Thanks again guys, these tips have been coming in handy. Portal 2 has caused me to start going through the various Portal tutorials on the VDC wiki. Lots of frustration has be had

    oh oh oh i have tips too

    shift-e to center all views on whatevers selected

    shift-ctrl-e to center....something or whatever on whatever is selected

    when youve zoomed into something and the map is big and slow and everything is terribly depressing, ctrl-mousewheel scroll to make all views have same zoom length so everything is fast and good feelings again xD

    Quote from Bunglo

    I've been wanting to learn Hammer and get familiar with the source engine for some time now, what would you guys recommend I focus on? Aside from the obvious of learning how the editor works. My goal at the moment is to make basic maps with it and eventually throw my own content in it. I'm comfortable with the UDK and CE2 but as an aspiring environment artist, I've never focused on making maps in them, just getting my art in engine and setting up materials, lighting, etc.Hopefully the question isn't too vague. Perhaps a better way to rephrase it, knowing what you know now, what do you all wish you learned when you first started?

    After sitting down with it this weekend and stumbling through how instances work (or more accurately - do NOT work), I'd recommend heavy drinking.

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