Edges of my map

Scruga

L1: Registered
Dec 8, 2008
39
0
I'm building a hydro-style pl map and I can't make the sides of my map look good. I tried the red rock cliffs but they all look dull and the same :(
 

Ida

deer
aa
Jan 6, 2008
2,289
1,372
Rock cliffs are good in some places, but the key is to vary it. Try some buildings, or some fences with scenery behind them. The latter really helps to make the world feel more open and larger than it really is.

Anything can block off your map, as long as it feels natural (in other words, players won't think they can get past it).
 

Ninjilla

L420: High Member
Sep 13, 2008
445
116
It is. Oddly, I just watched the Hydro commentary again today. What a cool chain of events.
 

Scruga

L1: Registered
Dec 8, 2008
39
0
It's a pity hydro's so unpopulat :( I love the map design and they put a lot of work in it.
 

Scruga

L1: Registered
Dec 8, 2008
39
0
I've got a question which continues on this. How does a 3d skybox exactly work and how can I place hydro's skybox in my custom map?
 

Ninjilla

L420: High Member
Sep 13, 2008
445
116
Ah yes, Hydro is a beaut. Pity no one has tried the whole Dam theme, it worked so well. Valve only does hardcore desert and alpine now >_<. And I GUESS pipeline :p

A 3D skybox is like a projection outside of your map, basically in another box you put what you want to show outside your regular skybox, but at a 1/16 scale, and when you play it is amplified, thinks like large mountains are built small and seen as huge. I think its always rendered, but Im not expert on the subject so dont quote me.

As for Hydros skybox, you can get all the tf2 skyboxes here;

http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Sky_List

Just go to Map > Map Properties > "skybox name" in the space for... well the skybox name :p
 

Scruga

L1: Registered
Dec 8, 2008
39
0
I don't think that'll work because that will only give a 2d skybox, right? I opened up the original hydro map and saw that the 3d skybox was built in an other window but i have no idea how to implement it into my map.
 

Scruga

L1: Registered
Dec 8, 2008
39
0
I don't think using an official map's skybox is stealing. You guys all use the 2d skyboxes too ;P

Why don't you make your own custom 2d skybox? THIEVES! XD
 

Ida

deer
aa
Jan 6, 2008
2,289
1,372
I don't think using an official map's skybox is stealing. You guys all use the 2d skyboxes too ;P

Why don't you make your own custom 2d skybox? THIEVES! XD

Because Valve supply us with the textures and openly invite us to use them. >_>

Seriously though, copied skyboxes from Valve maps can be decent placeholders until you start detailing your map. And creating one isn't hard either, that tutorial is pretty good help.
 

TMP

Ancient Pyro Main
aa
Aug 11, 2008
947
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Plenty of us actually do use custom 2d skyboxes :p.

A big problem with directly implementing hydro's 3d skybox is the fact that hydro's skybox is very.. VERY intertwined with the map itself. The props in it are very close to the normal level's, so using them can be really hard.

Of course, you can delete most of the props from it, but either way, you're going to have to do work.
 

Scruga

L1: Registered
Dec 8, 2008
39
0
Plenty of us actually do use custom 2d skyboxes :p.

More people don't than the people who do :p

About all other things. I think I'm just going to "steal" it and alter it. I just want to spend time on my map rather than the (mostly ignored) background.

Because Valve supply us with the textures and openly invite us to use them. >_>

I've had these discussions before but they also invited us to use and alter their maps. If I can touch their maps I think it's allowed to use their skybox because I lack time for making my own.
 
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Sgt Frag

L14: Epic Member
May 20, 2008
1,443
710
I don't think it's all that bad to use their skybox. The issue I have is when people take someone elses map, do a few tweaks and release it.

The skybox is scenery and doesn't effect gameplay at all and is not the same map.

However as stated above they are usually built around your map so making it fit and look good would probably be as tough as making your own.
 

Nineaxis

Quack Doctor
aa
May 19, 2008
1,767
2,820
It is very, very, very easy to spot a stolen skybox, and ruins my opinion of the map instantly. A good skybox flows into the real world, you can't just juxtapose some other map's skybox with your map and expect it to look good. It's not that hard to make your own, and will look a ton better.
 

Ninjilla

L420: High Member
Sep 13, 2008
445
116
Yeah, another reason not to use Hydros skybox is because hydros layout is so different from other maps, you would need to copy, paste, cut, and edit a lot to make it fit.