Packing Your Map

ChuckSpurgeon

L2: Junior Member
Jan 6, 2014
52
10
Well, I believe I have an Alpha-1, single-stage, 2cp map I'd like to share, get tested, and have some feedback. This would be my very first map I've ever shown anyone.

In order to submit for a game-day test, I know I need to have it packed--do I use one of the several suggested programs from the forums, or, since I'm not using any custom content (at the moment), do I just upload the map.bsp file in my existing folder without having to use some sort of program?

Thanks for the help--I love reading and learning from you all!
 

ChuckSpurgeon

L2: Junior Member
Jan 6, 2014
52
10
If there is no custom content to pack, then no you don't need to pack anything in. But test it on another PC just in case you do get missing textures or errors.

Thanks, Werewolf!
 

Vel0city

func_fish
aa
Dec 6, 2014
1,947
1,589
Actually, use sv_pure 2 on your local server. It does the same thing without you having to either search for another computer or mess around with TF2's file structure.
 

henke37

aa
Sep 23, 2011
2,075
515
Technically, there will always be packed content. The cubemaps count as packed content. vbsp generates duplicates of the materials with the correct cubemap textures replaced in and the cubemap textures themself are also packed files.
 

ChuckSpurgeon

L2: Junior Member
Jan 6, 2014
52
10
So, I should use a map-packing program because my cubemaps that are definitely in my map won't work when you download my map on your computer? Would one of you mind taking a look at my first map, submitted yesterday, and see if the cubemaps are working? I'd do it on another computer, but I don't have another. : /

http://tf2maps.net/downloads/cp_industrious.1408/
 

Vel0city

func_fish
aa
Dec 6, 2014
1,947
1,589
So, I should use a map-packing program because my cubemaps that are definitely in my map won't work when you download my map on your computer? Would one of you mind taking a look at my first map, submitted yesterday, and see if the cubemaps are working? I'd do it on another computer, but I don't have another. : /

http://tf2maps.net/downloads/cp_industrious.1408/
Cubemaps are fine, they don't need to be packed.

There seems to be confusion here about packing and repacking. Packing means you have custom content (such as models or materials or sounds) that do not ship with the stock TF2 that you pack into the BSP so we don't get giant ERROR models and checkerboard textures. Repacking means you take your map and compress it down to a much smaller file size, after you've packed your custom content and build your cubemaps in-game. The two are separate from each other and differ completely in purpose.
 

ChuckSpurgeon

L2: Junior Member
Jan 6, 2014
52
10
Thank you, Velocity! There's so much to learn and keep straight as I learn to map, on top of not being terribly computer savvy.

I really appreciate the patience and help so many of you experienced mappers offer in this community. I enjoy learning this stuff, without aspiring to be a famous, elite mapper--this is a new hobby for me. TF2 Maps is helping to make my new hobby enjoyable!
 

henke37

aa
Sep 23, 2011
2,075
515
You do need to pack cubemaps. But it's automatically done by vbsp (the materials) and the game (the textures) during the normal build process. No need for any special tool.