A newbie saying "Hi!"

Lance

L1: Registered
Sep 29, 2012
2
0
Hello everyone! My name is Lance!
I'm 16 years old and I'm studying to become an Art Teacher!
I have have been watching some of Star's video's on Youtube (He is a TF2 gameplay commentator for those who didn't know, check him out!) and because of his love for custom maps, it made me wanna make my own, just one thing... Where do I start? I have never done anything like this, so if anyone could please point me towards a thread that explains the basics and stuff, please do.
Well, other then that, I hope I will have a nice stay and that I will be able to learn how to make maps!
 

GPuzzle

L9: Fashionable Member
Feb 27, 2012
638
414
Our tutorial part of the forums contain several good articles, and the VALVe Dev Wiki is edited by some of us, so it's better to look there.
First, do you have Source SDK?
If so, check this thread: http://forums.tf2maps.net/showthread.php?t=4674
If you already have the Ultimate Mapping Resource Pack (it's helps you a lot) and Source SDK (that's the program you'll be using for mapping, the UMRP is just one really helpful add-on to Source SDK), than check these threads:
http://forums.tf2maps.net/showthread.php?t=3050 : this one sums up what are the main problems in early maps
http://forums.tf2maps.net/showthread.php?t=807 : this one contains a load of good tutorials
nodraw.net : whistle it is not updated anymore, it contains excellent tutorial from people such as Acegikmo, Nineaxis and YM.
http://forums.tf2maps.net/showthread.php?t=18699 : another thread with what-not-to-do
http://forums.tf2maps.net/showthread.php?t=19133 : lighting for dummies, excellent read by yyler http://forums.tf2maps.net/showthread.php?t=12605 : this one was written by grazr and he has written about 13 guides, all in the same level of excellentiness.
Anyway, welcome to TF2Maps.net. Where mapping looks so easy but it is a fun pain in the dick.
 

Ælement

Comfortably mediocre
aa
Dec 21, 2010
1,481
1,616
First, do you have Source SDK?

Dafuq

Anyways, the I'd suggest you to start of by looking at the official valve dev wiki.
They have a comprehensive collection of tutorials and descriptions of all things map-related.


I'd also recommend you to get some resource libraries:

- Like Gpuzzle suggested, ABS ultimate mapping resource
pack
will vastly improve hammer, adding a lot of prefabs, missing icons, resource libraries and hidden entity
settings (Don't get pushed over by these words, you will learn what they mean when/if you need it :p)

- The bulletcrops pack adds a plethora of
interesting models, textures and other goodies for you to use.

- Acegikmos environment gallery lets you copy the
environmental lighting, skies and sounds from some of the official maps. Lighting can be difficult to get good
looking, so i highly recommend getting this.

- Ravidges lighting library will give you a vast library of
lamps and other light sources, which would otherwise take quite some time to make

Welcome to TF2Maps! Enjoy your stay ;)
 
Last edited:

GPuzzle

L9: Fashionable Member
Feb 27, 2012
638
414

I wrote the first part, and then started writing. The "Dafuq" comes from the fact that I have saw one guy who was confused enough to think that the Ultimate Mapping Resource Pack was the thing we used to make maps, and then the UMRP couldn't find Source SDK, he looked for Source SDK and couldn't find it.
That preety much sums up.
 

Lance

L1: Registered
Sep 29, 2012
2
0
Thanks for the help, and like I said, I have never EVER done anything like this, so I don't even know the basics!
But yea, I will certainly look up those things.
Thanks again!
 

Tarry H Sruman

Large Orphanage Proprietor
aa
Jul 31, 2011
872
1,021
Where mapping looks so easy but it is a fun pain in the dick.

I hope this phrase catches on.

Also, if you're struggling, join the Team Fortress 2 Mappers steam group and hop into the chat. There's always people on and they'll usually help (though chat goes full retard almost all of the time, so don't say I didn't warn you when you join in the middle of a conversation about the different types of penises or similar)
 

GPuzzle

L9: Fashionable Member
Feb 27, 2012
638
414
I hope this phrase catches on.

Also, if you're struggling, join the Team Fortress 2 Mappers steam group and hop into the chat. There's always people on and they'll usually help (though chat goes full retard almost all of the time, so don't say I didn't warn you when you join in the middle of a conversation about the different types of penises or similar)

On the Team Fortress 2 Mappers chat, it is just incredibly funny or inspirational. I remember Muffin saying something about his coffee giving him some strange kind of energy, and someone, I think it was Terwonick or Tech, said that he would die due to the coffee, and Muffin said to say to all of his maps that he loved them.