An interesting problem with cubemaps.

emeraldscorpion

L1: Registered
Oct 22, 2009
38
0
I've been tackling this issue with my map for a couple months now. Whenever I try to build cubemaps, I must be doing something wrong, because I continue to get errors.
I use these commands from the wiki:
mat_specular 0
buildcubemaps
mat_specular 1
disconnect
sv_cheats 1
mat_reloadallmaterials
sv_cheats 0
I've compiled in HDR, and built cubemaps in both HDR and not-HDR, but I still get the same purple/black checkerboard patterns when I test it on a server. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Here's some screens.
 

Daedryon

L3: Member
Dec 5, 2009
134
3
Do you have separate entities around your map in every open area, called "env_cubemap"?

Wherever there's an open area that's not cut off from anything, you need an env_cubemap. 1 per open area.

The instant an area becomes cut off, or let's say you have a separate room you can only teleport to, you need a env_cubemap for that separate room.

If you haven't added them, add some env_cubemap Entities, then try the commands.

Of course, I'm not sure if that's your problem.
 

NoodleCollie

Stoat fiend
aa
Jul 30, 2009
383
335
What I'd recommend doing (works for me):

Start up the map.
mat_specular 0
buildcubemaps
Disconnect.

Options -> Turn HDR off.
Start up the map.
buildcubemaps
Disconnect.

Options -> Turn HDR back on.
Quit the game,

Restart the game.
Start up the map.

Cubemaps should display correctly, unless of course you have no env_cubemaps in anyway. You may also want to put "mat_specular 1" into your autoexec, since once you've set it to 0 the game seems to like to keep it that way.
 

emeraldscorpion

L1: Registered
Oct 22, 2009
38
0
Do you have separate entities around your map in every open area, called "env_cubemap"?

Wherever there's an open area that's not cut off from anything, you need an env_cubemap. 1 per open area.
Of course, I'm not sure if that's your problem.
Yes, I have env_cubemaps in every room, and still get the problem, unfortunately.
Dr. Spud said:
Did you change the map's file name since compiling cubemaps?
No, I haven't changed the map name.
I'll try x6herbius's method, and then I'll look into that toolbar thing Political Gamer gave me.
 

emeraldscorpion

L1: Registered
Oct 22, 2009
38
0
I hate to necro my own thread, but could this problem be caused by a leak in the map?
 

emeraldscorpion

L1: Registered
Oct 22, 2009
38
0
All it seemed to do was give me an interface to more easily build cubemaps. It didn't fix the purply problem. :(

I did get an idea in my head though... I think part of my map is poorly built, and am wondering if rebuilding it (to ensure NO leaks) could help fix it?
 

emeraldscorpion

L1: Registered
Oct 22, 2009
38
0
I just downloaded the file and stuck it in tf... I didn't see a guide.
 

Undies

L1: Registered
Dec 24, 2009
45
9
Are you trying to use a custom skybox texture? or perhaps one that doesn't exist?
If you've tried everything else posted here, that's all I can think that might cause this
 

emeraldscorpion

L1: Registered
Oct 22, 2009
38
0
OK Open up your map and then open the console and click help in the menu and it will tell you what you need to do.

Didn't seem to help any.

I followed all the instructions, but it still is broken. I haven't tried changing the skybox yet, but all the skyboxes I've tried are valve skyboxes, so that shouldn't be the problem...
 

emeraldscorpion

L1: Registered
Oct 22, 2009
38
0
All that really does is execute the commands he's already using.

Exactly, that's why I didn't think it would help originally. It will be pretty useful though, as soon as I solve my problem anyway.

I also want to point out that when I use the cubemap building commands, it works on MY computer. As soon as I upload it and have somebody download it to test it out though, it fails. I'm friends with the leaders of one server in particular who have been helpful in letting me test my map, and thus far, every time I try to join their server when it's currently running my map, TF2 gives me the error: "Your map is not the same as the map on the server." I don't know if that means anything, but perhaps there's something wrong during the uploading process?
 
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Dr. KillPatient

L3: Member
May 10, 2009
115
8
Building cubemaps counts as a change to the bsp (I think) so that may be why you're getting that message; if you haven't built cubemaps again since putting it on the server something's definitely up with the map. There can't be any leaks for cubemaps to work entirely properly (though they shouldn't cause this even with a leak), and remember that too many cubemaps can cause problems as well. Try remaking that area and see what happens.
 
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