Hitting The Wall..

[Schmung]

We've all been there (probably) you're mapping/modelling away and things are going well. There's a long way to go, but the end is definetly in sight and then.. then you just stop. You can't work anymore, opening hammer seems to drain you of any desire to work. Everything you try looks like shit and you can't progress beyond whats already there. Yes, you've hit the wall.

But waht to do? There must be a way to overcome this menance..

I don't bloody know it, mayhaps you do?

[Pericolos0]

learn how to make textures

make a single player map!

try out modelling more stuff, working in maxor so is always a nice change to hammer

[TomWithTheWeather]

Try learning a different editor. Sometimes being exposed to new tools and different ways to create can inspire you to try new things in your standard editor of choice.

[Izuno]

Get more exercise.

I'm totally serious. Sometimes I'd be mapping for weeks...and realize I'm running out of Steam (pun intended for those of you seeking puns). So when I feel that way, I'll go work out for 30 minutes or something, take a shower, come back to the computer and often I'm inspired. Things like running and biking, or even walking, work best for me.

[st0lve]

I guess I started modelling and texturing.

Learn all aspects of leveldesign and\or modelling.

Even though its abit boring to start from scratch, its worth it!

I'd love to learn more editors, but I got no money for new games

But I guess UE is next up for me, I just need to get my hands on a few UE games.

[Mazy]

I usually play some games if I feel depleted

[mike-0]

I usually game, or mack some chicks.

[Thrik]

Get more exercise.

I'm totally serious. Sometimes I'd be mapping for weeks...and realize I'm running out of Steam (pun intended for those of you seeking puns). So when I feel that way, I'll go work out for 30 minutes or something, take a shower, come back to the computer and often I'm inspired. Things like running and biking, or even walking, work best for me.

Exercise?

... D:

"Exercise"?

[Defrag]

I start a new map, or just start messing around with a new idea. Sometimes I discover new architecture I like, or texture combinations that look nice (etc) and they can help me freshen up the part of the map I was having trouble with.

[RD]

I just go do something else for the rest of the day, week, month or year untill i feel like mapping again

[hazardous!]

I also think, the 'try other shit'-way is a good one.

But don't overdo it.

I've hit the mapping-wall almost one year ago now and - oh fook! - texturing, modelling etc. is so much fun.

Be sure to return to your native area when you got some fresh ideas.

[Taylor]

Accidently install a MMORPG.

[PhilipK]

We've all been there (probably) you're mapping/modelling away and things are going well. There's a long way to go, but the end is definetly in sight and then.. then you just stop. You can't work anymore, opening hammer seems to drain you of any desire to work. Everything you try looks like shit and you can't progress beyond whats already there. Yes, you've hit the wall.

But waht to do? There must be a way to overcome this menance..

I don't bloody know it, mayhaps you do?

Yep. Had a loooot of these periods.

For me they pass away after a while (sometimes it can take really long tho). Usually I regain inspiration from a movie, pics or something I see just or whatever. Yeah playing some games can get you back as well.

[Grinwhrl]

play some games, go out, exercise is good but i do that mostly every day, dosnt help my mapping but helps the body look good

I think a change in editors or learning something else for a change will help, im know ill be doing that once im finihsed up my map.

[Kosmo]

My advice is to do something COMPLETELY different.

When I hit an artists block, photoshop seems daunting, the pencils laugh at me, modo and zbrush are against me. I usually take up a LUA or some other programming/scripting book and do some programming. Frees you from creative thinking and gives you simple goals to achieve events that an artist might not get to do.

I also make something physical, I usually work in my lil' workshop, work on my models, or tinker with computer modifications, work on aluminium to come up with casemod stuff, and sculpture with clay.