(No, this isn't about how to create a layout)
A question that's been on my mind for a very long time is, what are the best foundations and/or steps to creating a map you intend to fully detail and complete down the line? It's simple to create a dev texture map for playtesting purposes, but what is the best practice for creating a map you actually want to finish? It's been keeping me from mapping for awhile, besides waiting for Sledge and a map workshop to be released for TF2.
Some other questions that fit into this as well:
What do you start on first when constructing the layout you have planned?
What are the best ways to create buildings to be detailed later?
What are the best ways to set up displacements (used for large or entire areas) in your map?
How does one handle the boundaries of a map and extending them for detailing?
Basically, I need a run-down on how (preferably experienced) mappers make things start to finish, and how the level is generally constructed so it is as painless as possible to work on later, without having to completely tear apart everything.
A question that's been on my mind for a very long time is, what are the best foundations and/or steps to creating a map you intend to fully detail and complete down the line? It's simple to create a dev texture map for playtesting purposes, but what is the best practice for creating a map you actually want to finish? It's been keeping me from mapping for awhile, besides waiting for Sledge and a map workshop to be released for TF2.
Some other questions that fit into this as well:
What do you start on first when constructing the layout you have planned?
What are the best ways to create buildings to be detailed later?
What are the best ways to set up displacements (used for large or entire areas) in your map?
How does one handle the boundaries of a map and extending them for detailing?
Basically, I need a run-down on how (preferably experienced) mappers make things start to finish, and how the level is generally constructed so it is as painless as possible to work on later, without having to completely tear apart everything.