Props going through skybox?

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trees

L2: Junior Member
Apr 1, 2017
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So I found something a bit puzzling while looking at a vmf of granary.
https://imgur.com/a/KipV8

I don't quite understand how this works. How is the whole prop being rendered even though part of it goes into the skybox? It also appears that the prop's 'middle point' is outside the skybox, wouldn't this cause a leak (I read somewhere that an entity's origin outside the map will cause that)?

Also this on cp_badlands.
https://imgur.com/a/PvENq

Would this pipe still be visible from here in game, if a part of it wasn't sticking out this side of the skybox?
 

trees

L2: Junior Member
Apr 1, 2017
80
39
What is 'origins', then? I though that was just the entity's middle point, and in the case of that granary prop it's quite clearly outside the map.
edit: I think I got it. It's that thing with the green, red and blue line, isn't it? Can you move that around or is it always in a fixed spot for each prop?
 
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VEssex

L2: Junior Member
May 19, 2016
63
83
What is 'origins', then? I though that was just the entity's middle point, and in the case of that granary prop it's quite clearly outside the map.
The origin is the point at which the model is, relative to the x y z plane, which doesn't have to be the center median. In hammer, the X on the entity indicates the origin. As long as the origin is in the map, it won't cause leaks.
 
Mar 23, 2013
1,013
347
No, it's this yellow X

both represent the origin. the yellow x is just the red, green, blue cross in the 2D view.

But I think OP is a bit confusing because the origin is not full inside. It is fine if the origin is inside the skybox brush (or any other solid brush). as long it's not in the void, it's not a leak. Now, while the bounding box of the prop is actually inside the map, the prop will be rendered since not the origin but the bounding box is needed to determine if a prop is in a PVS.
 

trees

L2: Junior Member
Apr 1, 2017
80
39
Alright thanks guys. I'm still wondering though about that badlands pipe example. You can see it from both sides of that building in game. How does that work?
 

VEssex

L2: Junior Member
May 19, 2016
63
83
Alright thanks guys. I'm still wondering though about that badlands pipe example. You can see it from both sides of that building in game. How does that work?
The skybox, according to the wiki, is not visible, why I'd assume is why you can see the prop from both sides and see the prop rendering when it extends beyond the map. It really just represents a playable space where if nothing can be seen except for the skybox where, when you look at it, it draws the skybox where there is nothing.
I'd assume that the skybox there functions to split visleaves and accommodate the area portals.

But I'm going off piecing it together, I want to be corrected if I'm not right.
 

trees

L2: Junior Member
Apr 1, 2017
80
39
Thanks. I actually compiled a little test map to try things out and it's clear now. As long as the prop even slightly sticks out from the skybox it will be rendered.