Just an introductory question on mapping

Harribo

aa
Nov 1, 2009
871
851
Can i ask you guys something? Ive never attempted anything in the source SDK. how hard is it to make maps with no knoledge of any of this stuff yet, i mean i intend to read up on TF2maps's tutorials and guides but is this still a very steep slope to climb? is prior knowledge of coding realistically needed?

Oh and Hi ::p:
 

Ravidge

Grand Vizier
aa
May 14, 2008
1,544
2,818
You don't need any prior knowledge. But you need a lot of patience and motivation.
 

UKCS-Alias

Mann vs Machine... or... Mapper vs Meta?
aa
Sep 8, 2008
1,264
816
You don't need any prior knowledge. But you need a lot of patience and motivation.
Some knowledge is usefull actualy. For example ABS's pack and how to use it. but TPG already gave that info.

We want people to learn mapping here :) any info they can find is usefull for them. And any knowledge they have does help them. If they dont have any it will take them longer but indeed, with patience and motivation you come very far already.
 

megawac

L4: Comfortable Member
Oct 2, 2009
180
29
Just practice and wether you follow things in tutorials and instructed or not.

You will probably give up on your first map, welcome to sdk.
 

Dr. ROCKZO

L8: Fancy Shmancy Member
Jul 25, 2009
580
159
I find that Hammer makes a lot of sense, and is very easy to pick up and understand. Just give it some time.
 

Infi^

L1: Registered
Nov 3, 2009
35
16
Can i ask you guys something? Ive never attempted anything in the source SDK. how hard is it to make maps with no knoledge of any of this stuff yet, i mean i intend to read up on TF2maps's tutorials and guides but is this still a very steep slope to climb? is prior knowledge of coding realistically needed?

Oh and Hi ::p:

To be honest a lot of people seem to forget there's no set size or detail level for maps. It all depends on what you're planning to create. For instance maps like Goldrush and Badwater probably take a month or two of continuous work to get everything completely finalised. Maps like Well are slightly easier since there's no displacements to fiddle about with, so no real constant tweaking with those. Plus when you finish one half, you've sort of done the real work. As it's a symmetrical design. Since it's a CTF or CP map, unlike Attack and Defend.

Smaller maps like Arena maps would probably be easier to start off with, even though I find them not as fun to play compared to game modes like Payload.

So basically, if you're going for realistic mapping goals as a start off point. You would probably have a decent chance of starting it and following it all the way to finishing it. The people that try to pick up Hammer and the first thing they try to do is make a Valve standard map, or recreate their College or University in full detail are usually the ones that give up. 0MPH to 200MPH in three seconds isn't usually possible ;).

I've been mapping some average simple stuff for a fairly long time, nothing on this site though. Although it's not required, having extra knowledge of things like texture creation, modelling etc never hurts.

Go for it, might as well give it a shot. Nothing you can lose except for maybe a bit of constructive spare time.
 

Freyja

aa
Jul 31, 2009
2,994
5,813
^ That.

However, 2 to 3 months for a goldrush standard map is probably a bit understated. Maybe if you were working full time like Valve, but not for most of us.
 

Balloonsfor600

L1: Registered
Sep 7, 2009
45
18
I think there is a lot of great advice here already, but as I feel I have been lurking way too long, I thought I'd throw in my two cents.

Just practice and wether you follow things in tutorials and instructed or not.

You will probably give up on your first map, welcome to sdk.

I find this to be particularly true. I just decided to put my first mapping attempt to bed. I learned a lot about displacements and got some good geometry practice with it, but overall, it wasn't to par with what I wanted.

However, I made this decision because I got a great idea based off what I did with my first map and I have a better feel for the overall process of building a complete map now and as a result of last night's decision, I threw myself into my second map and already feel like I am making more progress than I have in the past two months on the first map. It all just takes patience and a willingness to learn.

Welcome to the forums.
 

Harribo

aa
Nov 1, 2009
871
851
You don't need to how how to code to use the SDK but I would recommend you clicking on the link in my sig. :p
Way ahead of you here, thanks.

well thanks for the advice,i DL'd the SDK, SDK Base and the TF2 Base and im guna give this Hammer a shot, i think il start with trying a CP or CTF map 1st as i hardly (read:never) play arena. wish me luck :)
 

gamemaster1996

L13: Stunning Member
Sep 30, 2009
1,064
134
Way ahead of you here, thanks.

well thanks for the advice,i DL'd the SDK, SDK Base and the TF2 Base and im guna give this Hammer a shot, i think il start with trying a CP or CTF map 1st as i hardly (read:never) play arena. wish me luck :)

Have you had luck?
Also cp and ctf are good but koth is a good starting point.
 

Tehrasha

L3: Member
Nov 5, 2009
115
28
Can i ask you guys something?

You mean besides this, right? :)

Ive never attempted anything in the source SDK. how hard is it to make maps with no knoledge of any of this stuff yet, i mean i intend to read up on TF2maps's tutorials and guides but is this still a very steep slope to climb? is prior knowledge of coding realistically needed?

I started mapping in November of last year. So in the last 4 months, I went from zero working knowledge to this... http://forums.tf2maps.net/showthread.php?t=12309

The level of difficulty entirely depends on how easily you give up. I've done a lot of tutorial digging, and google searching along the way. There is tons of information out there, in many community forums. When all other resources fail me, I ask here. It usually turns out that the answer to my problem is already out there, I was simply asking the question the wrong way. :)

Be warned, SourceSDK can become a serious time sink!
I have played very little TF2 since I picked up the editor.
And it may be the gateway drug to other things like 3D modeling and animation! :O

Edit:: Sure its a necro-bump. But I notice he got SO MANY useful responces way back then.
 
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Lockhart

L2: Junior Member
Sep 1, 2009
96
2
Your first map will have all sorts of problems and issues you don't understand, but you will probably enjoy blocking it out and seeing it in game.

Your second map will be more detailed and maybe become worthy of a little gameplay.

I'm on my third.... Good luck.

Mapping is a long-term hobby if you want to actually complete a map. Weeks, or longer. I'm still struggling with how time-consuming it is. It's difficult for me because I should be doing tutorials instead of attempting to finish a full map with limited knowledge of the tools. But hey, it's fun. (...sometimes)