Make I ask you a few things?

Bakscratch

Finisher of Maps
aa
Oct 29, 2010
714
1,492
As the Tile says may I ask you a few questions about mapping to any mappers.

Ok here we go.
1.When making maps do you plan your maps? (Draw out plan)

2.Once you have planed out the level do you make it in chunks/randomly or start to the end?

3.How long does it take you to say "Yep this map is done"?

4.Do make your levels in dev textures or make with other textures? (like brick wall)

5.Do you make one part of the map really detailed before moving onto the next.

6.What is your favourite theme/setting?

7.Do you put easter eggs in your map?

That is all, I dont mined if few word answers.

Thanks :D
 

Exist

L6: Sharp Member
Oct 31, 2009
306
136
As the Tile says may I ask you a few questions about mapping to any mappers.

Ok here we go.
1.When making maps do you plan your maps? (Draw out plan)

2.Once you have planed out the level do you make it in chunks/randomly or start to the end?

3.How long does it take you to say "Yep this map is done"?

4.Do make your levels in dev textures or make with other textures? (like brick wall)

5.Do you make one part of the map really detailed before moving onto the next.

6.What is your favourite theme/setting?

7.Do you put easter eggs in your map?

That is all, I dont mined if few word answers.

Thanks :D

1~ many are going to tell you to draw up a plan. Atlest a rough idea of the lay out before you even open hammer.

2~ most make the whole thing in dev textures, then play test. after testing, they tweak the design to fix issues. Once all issues are gone, the creator starts detailing and such.

3~ when all bugs are gone and the map is enjoyable.

4~ start with dev textures, never end with devtextures.

5~ this question is really personal preference, I go part by part.

6~ I always loved Spytech with a farm outside. So unexpected.

7~ I feel easter eggs draw away from the map, so no.
 

zero_rogue

L1: Registered
Sep 15, 2009
38
36
1. Ive used pen and paper as well as some design programs in the past however i find its much simpler to just draw the floor pattern out in hammer. then you have the basic design and a rough start to go from.

2. I usually start with the floor of the map(basically anywhere you want the player) then add walls. then ceiling.

3. usually i have 3 things 1)no bugs (as far as I know ^_^) 2)balanced map 3)the map doesn't look "blocky" anymore.

4.dont really care, for the most part i just pick one on transparent texture turn on flat view and go to work. afterwards I go back and put correct textures on the surfaces.

5.yes all the time, If you have a concept for a part of the map its good to get it done so you dont lose it.

6. the one that hasn't been done yet. I always try blending themes for a better look. But for one id say Spy-tech. I love making Secret lairs >:)

7.Absolutely! a clever egg in the right place can make a player's day. Although I would suggest not spending much time on any one egg. basic/simple to do things. like what valve did with thunder mountain. (the planning in the blu warehouse, the red swimming pool, and the camping sniper.) Easter eggs show a polished map in my opinion. Just dont go overboard with them ^_^
 

red_flame586

L420: High Member
Apr 19, 2009
437
122
1. Planning is very important, even if it's just a pen and paper, it'll help you get started

2. I generally start making a floor, then go a low detail of the layout, each separate area at a time, after I'm happy with the layout (after proper testing and gamedays) , I move onto more complex detailing.

3. I've been mapping for nearly two years and i've never said that i've finished a map. I've said pleanty of times, i'm going to stop working on this map now, or leave it for later, though I'm never happy enough to say it's finished (I guess I a bit of a perfectionist). I guess when you feel that the quality of the map is high enough that you don't need to change it, you can say you're done, but that generally takes months to reach that stage.

4. I always start with dev textures, I learnt very early on in mapping that creating a fully detailed map from the get go always leads to problems later on. You don't have to to it in complete dev textures, just very simple texturing with minimal detailing (i.e. no decorations, no displaced cliffs etc.)

5. I gradually start to detail all of my map, or atleast most of it at one time. I'd do something like one version I'd finish the texturing, then the next I'd start adding some extra props, and gradually I finish adding detail to it.

6. I don't really have a favorite setting, though if I had to choose, it would probably be spytech, I include some of that in all of my maps.

7. I havent, though I don't have anything against it, I guess I never think about them at a particular time. Also, when doing easter eggs, don't make it to big, something like in Mann Manor where YM stuck a couple of rubber ducks around the place is a good idea, though don't go off and create a huge secret room with a false wall and stuff.

I hope my over extended essay helps, enjoy mapping.
 

Fruity Snacks

Creator of blackholes & memes. Destroyer of forums
aa
Sep 5, 2010
6,394
5,571
I've only done 2 maps, but I'll answer, if that is fine.

1.When making maps do you plan your maps? (Draw out plan) .. my first one I didn't. It didn't work out too well. the second one (seen in sig) I drew out a bit and it is much better.

2.Once you have planed out the level do you make it in chunks/randomly or start to the end? .. do the whole thing with the barebones and move up from there.

3.How long does it take you to say "Yep this map is done"? .. I'll tell you when I finish one. But from what I've been hearing about people, it could be anywhere between 2 weeks to 5 months.

4.Do make your levels in dev textures or make with other textures? (like brick wall) Yes, dev textures until the layout is set, then add textures

5.Do you make one part of the map really detailed before moving onto the next. I kinda do the bare bones (again) and then move on

6.What is your favourite theme/setting? Snow, rain, any type of weather condition. I've done "practice" scenes on my own and they have included these things. I'm also fond of abandoned buildings/alpine theme.

7.Do you put easter eggs in your map? Not yet, but I heard there is a duck model somewhere...
 

littleedge

L1111: Clipping Guru
aa
Mar 2, 2009
986
605
1.When making maps do you plan your maps? (Draw out plan)
Yep.

2.Once you have planed out the level do you make it in chunks/randomly or start to the end?
I just go with what I feel like. I tend to detail when I encounter an issue, so I go back and forth.

3.How long does it take you to say "Yep this map is done"?
Well arena_littleedge has taken over a year now...

It's a6


4.Do make your levels in dev textures or make with other textures? (like brick wall)
I start with nodraw. When the nodraw is too overpowering, or I experience a problem, I'll detail so I get some work done.

5.Do you make one part of the map really detailed before moving onto the next.
See previous questions.

6.What is your favourite theme/setting?
I like Alpine. But sunset desert, like in Furnace, is nice.

7.Do you put easter eggs in your map?
If I remember.
 

tyler

aa
Sep 11, 2013
5,102
4,621
1.When making maps do you plan your maps? (Draw out plan)

2.Once you have planed out the level do you make it in chunks/randomly or start to the end?

3.How long does it take you to say "Yep this map is done"?

4.Do make your levels in dev textures or make with other textures? (like brick wall)

5.Do you make one part of the map really detailed before moving onto the next.

6.What is your favourite theme/setting?

7.Do you put easter eggs in your map?
1. I make rough sketches on paper but do most the preliminary work in Hammer itself.

2. It depends. Usually start to end, starting from the middle (koth, and when I tried 5cp) or from spawn (when I mess around with a/d or payload).

3. good question

4. Dev or nodraw

5. No, I save that for the later stages of design

6. I have a problem where I like egypt, but also snow and alpine.

7. Not really.
 

grazr

Old Man Mutant Ninja Turtle
aa
Mar 4, 2008
5,441
3,814
Easter eggs are fine if it's a map for personal use. You can add an overlay-poster or little model. But you should avoid blatent advertising.

Many old DoD and TFC maps had hidden rooms only accessable by noclip that had credits on them. dod_donner has a grave stone with credits on it under the map and several official TF2 maps have hidden mini models used like a digital signiture.

DEV textures arn't necassery, some people swear by them, others do not. The advantage to DEV textures is that they have high/uniform reflectivity for optimum basic lighting conditions. The draw back is that you'll have textured your layout twice when you start to add details and finalise your theme.

As far as deciding whether your map is finished, this really depends on whether other people have any complaints left. If people still have issues you should continue to work on it so that people enjoy your map more. If not, then you can release your final version and move onto other projects.
 
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C00Kies

L3: Member
Sep 20, 2009
132
58
Ive always wondered how other people make there maps just out of curiosity.


1.When making maps do you plan your maps? (Draw out plan)
The first couple of maps (which didn't get far) i never drew out plans. But the map Im working on know i did draw out on graph paper which helps a lot even though the map now is a bit different.

2.Once you have planed out the level do you make it in chunks/randomly or start to the end?
I do them in big chucks. (cp + battlements. spawn rooms. etc)

3.How long does it take you to say "Yep this map is done"?
I cant say I have not gotten there yet...

4.Do make your levels in dev textures or make with other textures? (like brick wall)
I usual do a combination of the 2 but for the most part dev textures

5.Do you make one part of the map really detailed before moving onto the next.
I just half-haphazardly though details around were i feel they will work out good (haven't gotten to a real hard core detailing level yet)

6.What is your favourite theme/setting?
Probably is Alpine or high altitude dessert (Up ward's coalmine setting)

7.Do you put easter eggs in your map?
I haven't gotten to that stage yet put I love the idea of putting cool stuff in small rooms you can only see and not enter and its fun to look for other peoples' Easter eggs
 
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Bakscratch

Finisher of Maps
aa
Oct 29, 2010
714
1,492
Thanks for your time, Iv learned alot just from this.

The first map I did tock about 2-3 weeks but is very small, very basic, doesn't look that nice, It had no plan, and is really buggy.

But anyway thanks :D