Sharing my newly released paper on optimization testing in Source engine

Hi everyone

I'm sharing with you my latest technical paper/tutorial where I tackle the issue of methodically testing the frame rate and optimization setup in Source engine (with regards to level design).

This paper is the logical sequel to my comprehensive Source engine optimization paper released over a year ago titled "Man vs. Engine". I had it planned since January but only got to finish writing it now.

I believe it should prove helpful for beginner & intermediate mappers while providing a good read for expert and veteran designers.

The paper is in PDF format (28 pages, 5.9 MB) and can be downloaded from my website's tutorials section:

Optimization Testing in Source Engine

For the folks who are not fond of reading , please note that the paper has 8 pages of text while the rest is made of in-game & in-editor documented screenshots.

This paper will shed some light on how to properly test your optimization system in a methodical way that I personally use when testing my own maps before release or when testing friends/other persons’ maps in order to advise them on the ideal optimization setup.

Thanks and have a nice read

Will2k

EDIT: I am including direct links to this paper as well as the previous one for easier access.

Optimization Testing in Source Engine (April 2014)

Man vs. Engine - Winning your optimization battle against the source engine (March 2013)

Quote from Algor

Visiting the site produced two pop ups, after closing them, the site filled with ads, then the App Store loaded (on my iPad)... I didn't even know that behavior was still a thing?

The free plan of tripod hosting is still ad-based. I usually have ad block enabled and don't get the ads but even without ABP, the site will display a thin horizontal ad banner on the top that won't interfere with browsing the site and won't open any pop-up or take you to other sites unless you click on it. I'm not sure what happened with you , maybe browsing from a tablet exhibits this behavior? or you inadvertently swiped the ad?

Quote from Thrik

lmao. Good old Tripod.

The article looks excellent, though.

lol yeah

I've had this Tripod site since 2001; before that I used Geocities to host my site but they kept their free plan at 5 MB storage in 1999-2000 and I had to make the switch to Tripod when they offered 'gasp' 20 MB of free storage lmao (end of history lesson )

Thanks for the support mate, appreciate it

Quote from OrnateBaboon

I think the second link - the Game Banana one is easy enough to get it from - I had issues with the first link as well.

I read the two tutorials. Comprehensive, and easy to understand. Surprised to see Sun Tzu quoted in an optimisation guide for the Source engine, but somehow it feels like a good fit

Whenever there is a war/battle, Sun Tzu will fit in

Thanks for your support

I have edited the original post to include direct links to this paper as well as the previous one for easier access and for the complete Source engine optimization package.

Thanks and enjoy.

Quote from Pampers

Maybe mapcore could host it as well?

Hey Pampers, thanks for dropping by

I usually host my papers on my mediafire account and keep a second version on Gamebanana since the site is primarly there to host custom content related to gaming. I wasn't aware that mapcore has hosting services too and if you think hosting my work here will be beneficial, then why not .

I'll keep that in mind for my next upload

Quote from generalvivi

With that kind of hosting, I would imagine it to be huge turn off for potential employers.

btw, will read the article! Love optimization discussions.

Jason , thanks for your input.

you're right that without ad block, those pesky ads are annoying for everyone. I didn't upgrade my free hosting plan since I wasn't actively trying to land a job in the gaming industry.

I guess it's a bit late now to make the switch to the gaming industry ; I should have made the jump some 12 years ago when i was still in my early 20s and the industry was still blooming out of its infancy and still accepting "amateurs"

Thanks again mate and hope you find the 2 papers helpful and enjoyable to read.

In a related topic to the above, I have published my newest article titled "Hints about Hints - Practical guide on hint brushes placement".

It's a technical article in which I showcase how I think about and approach hints placement in Source engine and how I systematically proceed with hint brushes with some practical examples.

Hope it provides helpful insights for aspiring Source mappers and offers a good read for experienced ones.

The link is on Gamebanana: Hints about Hints

Enjoy the read

Will2k

Continuing with the "practical placement guide" series, I have published the 2nd article in the series:

It's a technical article that deals with the systematic placement of areaportals in the Source optimization process:

Practical guide on areaportals placement

The first article in the series was about "hints" published back in June (Hints about Hints - Practical guide on hint brushes placement)

The 3rd will cover occluders and will be published later this month.

Thanks and enjoy the read

Will2k

Greetings with the final update

Ending the "practical placement guide" series, I have published the 3rd and final article in the series.

Practical guide on occluders placement

It's a technical article that tackles the systematic placement of occluders in the Source optimization process.

The previous articles released over the course of the last 2 months dealt with hints and areaportals placement (links in previous post).

Thanks and enjoy the read.

Quote from Squad

Didn't see you updated this until now. Thanks for putting the effort into making this!

Do you have them in downloadable pdf form by any chance?

Hey buddy, thanks for dropping by

It's only HTML version hosted on-site at Gamebanana I'm afraid, but you can save the page as "web page complete" or "mhtml" and then convert it to PDF if this is easier for you to read or review later

Thanks again for the support.

Since the "status update" feature was removed, I decided to resurrect this thread from over a year ago.

My new article is live "Source Engine PVS - A Closer Look" http://gamebanana.com/articles/72

A follow-up to my previous article "Demystifying Source Engine Visleaves", this one is a technical article where I delve into more details about the PVS creation and visibility calculation and their implication on optimization in the Source engine.

Cheers and enjoy the read.

Edit: For easier access and ease of use for anyone consulting this thread, I will gather all the links to my optimization papers and articles below.

Man vs. Engine (March 2013)

Optimization Testing in Source Engine (April 2014)

Hints about Hints - Practical guide on hint brushes placement (June 2014)

Practical guide on areaportals placement (August 2014)

Practical Guide on Occluders Placement (September 2014)

Common Misconceptions in Source Engine Optimization (September 2015)

Comparative fps study in Source Engine Optimization System (September 2015)

Demystifying Source Engine Visleaves (November 2015)

Source Engine PVS - A Closer Look (November 2015)

On a related note, I will start writing new papers and articles for the "core" very soon, and publish them right here on Mapcore. Stay tuned

Greetings

I published today a new article that I hope should prove helpful for many CS map makers

Quick Guide to Competitive CSGO Design

It's an article that lists the good competitive mapping practices that every designer should use as guideline and quick reference guide when creating their competitive CSGO map.

Cheers and enjoy the read