No more VMEXing for you

Owlruler

L12: Fabulous Member
Dec 10, 2008
964
275
I've just found out that you can prevent VMEX by simply copy and pasteing the shape in the attached file into your map. Basically, VMEX can't decompile it and it simply give up and doesn't work. If you want to try, compile a map then try and decompile it. It works for me so it should work for you.

You cannot rotate it or else it will not work!

Thanks to halflifestorm.com where I found this.
 

Spike

L10: Glamorous Member
Feb 13, 2008
716
82
That is as old as the internets :\
 

A Boojum Snark

Toraipoddodezain Mazahabado
aa
Nov 2, 2007
4,775
7,669
It doesn't screw up the decompile process, but rather VMEX is specifically coded to not work if it sees that object. So if someone decompiles VMEX and removes that check, or just has another decompiler, it dosn't mean anything.
 

Spike

L10: Glamorous Member
Feb 13, 2008
716
82
VMEX is already been hacked to bypass it.
 

Mar

Banned
Feb 12, 2009
607
63
So this object basically keeps people from decompiling your map and using it as a reference to help further the persons own map, therefore stagnating the community and keeping mappers from helping each other?
 

Spike

L10: Glamorous Member
Feb 13, 2008
716
82
No, this is a useful tool so noobs doesn't decompile, add noob things to the map and recompile without asking permission to the author.

But again, some noobs hacked VMEX to bypass this tool

EDIT: Other noobs use it to know where are the secrets on a map
 

Malcolm

L3: Member
Jul 10, 2008
123
25
So many noobs!

When I publish my map, I will also provide the vmf. It doesn't hurt me to see 10thounds versions of my map. I would rather feel honored :D
 

Mar

Banned
Feb 12, 2009
607
63
What does Valve do for there maps?
 

Spike

L10: Glamorous Member
Feb 13, 2008
716
82
Valve doesn't prevent decompiling, and neither should you.
It's a rather asshole move. Decompiling exists as a legitimate way of learning how something was done.

Then release the VMF as I do.
 
Last edited:

YM

LVL100 YM
aa
Dec 5, 2007
7,135
6,056
Then release the VMF as I do.

Theres a difference between releaseing vmfs and allowing it to be decompiled, releasing vmfs is like saying your map is open source, free for anyone to nick stuff from, but making people decompile it first (but allowing them to do so) is like saying "yeah, you can learn from it, but I'm not just gunna give it to you, work for your food!"

But yes, this is old and vmex is known to be cracked to allow decompilation of anything.

@mar - the community isn't stagnating. it's filling up with people who decompile and recompile, or people who nick bits from other maps and pass it off as their own.
Stopping decompilation isn't "stopping mappers help each other" as you say, its stopping mappers helping themselves.

One thing a lot of new mappers need to learn is to do the legwork themselves, they expect good results fast and they expect everything at their fingertips instantly. Well it doesn't work like that, most of the information they want is out there on the internet, but they have to learn to search for it before asking to be spoonfed. And they also need to learn that as with any skill (writing, painting, playing an instrument) for the first while they will be rubbish at it and that with constant self motivation and perfectionism they'll improve.
 

Spike

L10: Glamorous Member
Feb 13, 2008
716
82
Decompiling without author consent it's stealing someone's work. When you release the VMT it's like saying learn from it, no way modify and recompile it.

Everybody should release their VMTs, but if someone doesn't want to release it, don't decompile it because you have to respect author rights.
 

samn

L4: Comfortable Member
Mar 28, 2008
158
47
I don't think a mapper should be able to say 'dont decompile my work'. What if we want to know how you made that detail, or what prop you used, or where you put your areaportals? Learning from each other benefits the community. 'Dont steal my work or parts of my work', however, is a different matter.
 

Spike

L10: Glamorous Member
Feb 13, 2008
716
82
I don't think a mapper should be able to say 'dont decompile my work'. What if we want to know how you made that detail, or what prop you used, or where you put your areaportals? Learning from each other benefits the community. 'Dont steal my work or parts of my work', however, is a different matter.

This is why I support sharing the vmt.
 

Mar

Banned
Feb 12, 2009
607
63
I'm lost. When I do release, what combination of VMF, decomposable map, and non-decompliable map should I release.

I also realise mappers need to do the work themselves to learn. My basic death-match map in the clouds is a great learning tool, along with by little mini-projects that help learn how hammer works. There should be a basic mini-map requirement that you must fulfill before you can upload a map to this site. :p

PS. I know the community isn't stagnating. My distopian imagination took be to world where every mapper worked alone, and slightest copyright violation meant death.
 

samn

L4: Comfortable Member
Mar 28, 2008
158
47
A good way to learn is to just do a little room or building... use techniques and details you've seen in other maps and combine them to make something interesting. Play around with it and possibly include it in your real map.

Maybe there should be a thread where we can post little buildings and areas we've made? Sort of like the mini-mapping contests, except you can post anything (doesnt have to be spawnroom or intellroom) and nobody wins anything.
 

StoneFrog

L6: Sharp Member
May 28, 2008
395
81
I think it's alright to decompile maps just for learning purposes - to see how certain things are done or to get a better idea of how some details were made to the map. I mean, we do that to Valve's maps, and since they're the creators of the game, it's the ultimate level of decompiling. :p
 

A Boojum Snark

Toraipoddodezain Mazahabado
aa
Nov 2, 2007
4,775
7,669
I think first and foremost the most respectful way to learn how a map did something is to ask the author. You might just end up learning more or understanding better that way.
 

samn

L4: Comfortable Member
Mar 28, 2008
158
47
How is that more respectful than decompiling the map.
If you're not going to directly steal something from their then I don't see the problem.