A bit of an odd question, to say the least: How do you do concepting?

Shaeam

L1: Registered
Aug 19, 2011
42
20
I wanted to ask someone if they could give me advice on laying out an idea on paper. How do I go about doing it? What's the best way? This is coming from someone who typically 'wings' their maps. I've never 'officially' laid out a map before working on it. I've felt that I see more success when I improvise my maps from beginning to end.

But I have a feeling i'm missing out on things, so I have started to search for ways to improve in my map design -- and I sort of figure this is the first step.

Thanks; and my apologies in advance for asking such an odd question!
 

SSX

aa
Feb 2, 2014
392
411
I normally just think of a single solitary area/gimmick for a map, make that, and then just draw the rest out in hammer. It's not efficient, but it's always better than nothing.

As for map improvement.
Step 1. Make Map
Step 2. Get feedback on Map
Step 3. Fix Map
Step 4. Get more feedback on Map
Step 5. Repeat steps 3-4 until ready to detail.
 
Sep 19, 2010
475
499
Everyone's process is a little different. Some prefer to plan it out on paper, while others would rather hop into hammer and rough it out. Here's a thread that's similar to what you're asking: click

To expand on the creating a layout part, depends on the map. If it's a 5cp or koth map, most people start with the middle point and expand outward. Like I said earlier, it's really all preference.
 

Shaeam

L1: Registered
Aug 19, 2011
42
20
I normally just think of a single solitary area/gimmick for a map, make that, and then just draw the rest out in hammer. It's not efficient, but it's always better than nothing.

As for map improvement.
Step 1. Make Map
Step 2. Get feedback on Map
Step 3. Fix Map
Step 4. Get more feedback on Map
Step 5. Repeat steps 3-4 until ready to detail.

I see. What precisely do you mean by gimmick, precisely? Do all maps have these sort of gimmicks? In my 'current' map, mvm_ironworks (I haven't quite uploaded it; yet. It was mostly made for practice and to test myself, honestly) I made the entire thing from the ground up on a whim; starting with the bomb hatch.

The only thing I initially had planned was the pit; that you can airblast people into (reminessent of mvm_decoy's pit, with a much shorter travel time in between the distance)

Here's some images in-case you were curious

ZC8ZSeW.jpg

LIiRMKO.jpg


As I previously hinted at; with the 'current', I am thinking of moving on to another map -- thus I'm sort of seeking the 'proper' way to map, I suppose you could say. The way valve themselves map and such.

@Grizzly Berry
Thanks; that actually helps clear up a bit. I wasn't quite sure how people drew up their areas, and how they exported those drawn into the map they created. I was thinking people drew up 'semi' 3d still shots of various points of their map initially. Perhaps that might be why I wasn't seeing success when I tried to put my ideas to paper.
 
Last edited:

SSX

aa
Feb 2, 2014
392
411
I see. What precisely do you mean by gimmick, precisely? Do all maps have these sort of gimmicks? In my 'current' map, mvm_ironworks (I haven't quite uploaded it; yet. It was mostly made for practice and to test myself, honestly) I made the entire thing from the ground up on a whim; starting with the bomb hatch.

The only thing I initially had planned was the pit; that you can airblast people into (reminessent of mvm_decoy's pit, with a much shorter travel time in between the distance)

Here's some images in-case you were curious

ZC8ZSeW.jpg

LIiRMKO.jpg


As I previously hinted at; with the 'current', I am thinking of moving on to another map -- thus I'm sort of seeking the 'proper' way to map, I suppose you could say. The way valve themselves map and such.

@Grizzly Berry
Thanks; that actually helps clear up a bit. I wasn't quite sure how people drew up their areas, and how they exported those drawn into the map they created. I was thinking people drew up 'semi' 3d still shots of various points of their map initially. Perhaps that might be why I wasn't seeing success when I tried to put my ideas to paper.

All maps have some sorta gimmick involved.

It be around a very difficult capture point (Dustbowl), environment killers (Trains, Saws, Lasers), Close Combat areas like 2Fort and Turbine, open fighting areas (Mainly a lot of arena maps and a good sum of 5CP maps.) And so on.

Also, that map looks fucking awesome just by looking at the overview, post it to the site.
 

Shaeam

L1: Registered
Aug 19, 2011
42
20
All maps have some sorta gimmick involved.

It be around a very difficult capture point (Dustbowl), environment killers (Trains, Saws, Lasers), Close Combat areas like 2Fort and Turbine, open fighting areas (Mainly a lot of arena maps and a good sum of 5CP maps.) And so on.

Also, that map looks fucking awesome just by looking at the overview, post it to the site.

Oh, I see! I figured gimmicks were a bit more extreme than that -- I suppose the pit; in this case; was enough of a gimmick, then. And thanks -- I appreciate that, I suppose I will go ahead and fix a few issues and upload it, if you feel that way... Though; it doesn't have a 3d skybox and is rough around the edges as far as decor goes.