Map Prop_static Problem

[mrmonkah]

Hey there peeps,

Im having intermittent problems with my static props. First of all i had covered all my hand rails with playerclip brush work, thinking thats what was needed. However I noticed that all the props wern't getting the light data from the surrounding lights and so turned light blue.

To fix this i deleted all the player clips surrounding the props and it seemed to fix the problem.

I went about adding more bits and pieces to the map and the next time i came to compile the map i got the glowing props again.

Any thoughts on what the hell this is about? Its a really daft issue that spoils the map. Im hoping it will be something simple. Before you ask, yes there are a ton of env_cubemaps about the place, and ive built them in game etc etc.

Thanks in advance,

Dan

[BlueCoatKarma]

You could try faking the railings' light origins or disabling shadows on them to see if that fixes it. That doesn't sound like a great "solution" though.

[Grinwhrl]

Myself and others run into this problem alot, its freaken annoying. I even have a room, slightly large with a cubemap in it and the props glow. No idea why. I still think cubemaps are broken.

One thing I find that can help solve the problem is use less cubemaps. That has worked for me in the past....sometimes.

[Zeta]

You can place info_lighting ents over the light sources (the use the lighting origin under each props properties to point to it) to try and reduce this but some times it just happens when you lack sufficient lighting for the area.

[AdamBrome]

Make sure the origins for the pieces are in the MIDDLE of the model. If the origin is at the bottom of the model and intersects through brush work the origin won't be getting any light information and thus appear to be full-bright (re: glowing).

How large is the railing model? If its taking up a lot of reaestate in the map I suggest dividing it up into smaller modular pieces. Check the models bounding box in hammer. And make sure the models have a collision mesh - do NOT use a clipping brush for that sort of thing as it will weild incorrect collision data when objcets are toss towards the railing, etc.

[mrmonkah]

Hey chaps, thanks for all your advice, all very useful. Though i think i knew most already.

I found a solution though! I shut down my PC. Came back to it today, and didn't re compile the map, and lone behold, when i opened it in DM, the railings were fine.

Oh how i love steam and the source engine. Its mystical ways fascinate me.

D

[PogoP]

You have to reload the map once you've built the cubemaps. Or just type "reloadallmaterials" in console, and it'll reload the cubemapped materials on all props and brush textures. Trust me, it works. I was getting really annoyed with the Source engine, but it turns out all I had to do was reload the map.

[hessi]

You have to reload the map once you've built the cubemaps. Or just type "reloadallmaterials" in console, and it'll reload the cubemapped materials on all props and brush textures. Trust me, it works. I was getting really annoyed with the Source engine, but it turns out all I had to do was reload the map.

reloadmaterials does NOT work.

you have to switch to a different (!) map like one of the default ones and then change back to your map. if you just reload the level the engine wont update materials because it has a feature to not reload allready loaded stuff. while changing to a different map only reused content will stay. the rest gets dropped from the memory.

building cubemaps doesnt load them.

greetings.

plz verify your comments before posting.

[Bic-B@ll]

you just got told by hessi

[mrmonkah]

I have to say i knew that reloading a map doesn't work, i tried that in the past to no avail.

Im loving the fact that you have to load your map, to load another to re-load your own again. Thats streamlined efficiency if ever I saw it! Now i get another few mins to stare into space and regret losing precious moments of my life! JOY!

Take it easy peeps, and thanks again.

Dan

[Skjalg]

You have to reload the map once you've built the cubemaps. Or just type "reloadallmaterials" in console, and it'll reload the cubemapped materials on all props and brush textures. Trust me, it works. I was getting really annoyed with the Source engine, but it turns out all I had to do was reload the map.

reloadmaterials does NOT work.

you have to switch to a different (!) map like one of the default ones and then change back to your map. if you just reload the level the engine wont update materials because it has a feature to not reload allready loaded stuff. while changing to a different map only reused content will stay. the rest gets dropped from the memory.

building cubemaps doesnt load them.

This doesnt always work either, and I think it has to do with the drivers (no idea why), but whenever I build cubemaps, no matter what I do I have to quit the entire game and relaunch it for it to appear. So I guess, whatever floats your boat, but be sure it floats.