How Long did it take you to become a Pro Mapper

[takabuschik]

I'd say that you can get to the stage of understanding the very basic stuff in a week (interface, basic creation, brushes)
Next step, that I will estimate to take between half a year to 2 years (for me, but for other people it may take less) Around that time you should reach a pretty good understanding of how hammer works. (entities, most of the logic, etc.) Clearly not a pro, but a fairly decent mapper (?)

But the biggest challenge is not the software, but the brain- it takes lots of time to start thinking right about mapping and layouts- CP placements, routes, sightlines etc. I work on tf2 maps from around winter 2013, and in the layout and mapping theory I'm still a complete noob.

The best way to learn fast is to keep making maps, even if they are not that good, then keep reading the feedback you get and thinking about it, and even if you don't agree, think why people wrote that- that's the best way to get better.

 

[MaccyF]

I've been mapping in source on and off for nearly 4 years now, so I'm pretty good at the technical/ tools side of things. I've only done TF2 map work for about six months though, so I'm still a noob at layout and balance

 

[tyler]

Many people in this thread are saying they are well versed in the technical side of Source and Hammer, yet most maps put out are terribly optimized and few people actually offer in depth help on the forums. What does it mean???

 

[Idolon]

it means we need to delete this garbage website

 

[Kube]

Many people in this thread are saying they are well versed in the technical side of Source and Hammer, yet most maps put out are terribly optimized and few people actually offer in depth help on the forums. What does it mean???

I think that Hammer, Source, and even level design in general are so multi-faceted and dense that many people (myself included) get so caught up on getting better at layouts that they forget to learn more about the technicalities of everything.

Or they work a lot with the technicalities of Hammer and never release anything

 

[Grizzly Berry]

I posted my first map here in September 2011 and have been mapping off and on since then. I haven't even completed a map yet, so I would still consider myself an amateur. You have to be actively mapping to get better. I haven't done a very good job of doing that.

 

[seth]

I first learned PC modding in general even existed about 2 years ago. Been playing around in Hammer ever since and still haven't made anything.

I'd like to say I'm "well-versed" on the technical side of Hammer at this point as I've watched/read countless tutorials and messed around a lot, but without real practice with a real map, no one can really make that assertion.

 

[Vincent]

Many people in this thread are saying they are well versed in the technical side of Source and Hammer, yet most maps put out are terribly optimized and few people actually offer in depth help on the forums. What does it mean???

It means a lot of us are still young and working to improve.

 

[Kube]

I first learned PC modding in general even existed about 2 years ago. Been playing around in Hammer ever since and still haven't made anything.

I'd like to say I'm "well-versed" on the technical side of Hammer at this point as I've watched/read countless tutorials and messed around a lot, but without real practice with a real map, no one can really make that assertion.

Heh, I used to just think that all video game designers sat around coding into a screen, and when the code was done, the game would pop out. It's odd to think that that's how it used to be.

 

[tyler]

I think that Hammer, Source, and even level design in general are so multi-faceted and dense that many people (myself included) get so caught up on getting better at layouts that they forget to learn more about the technicalities of everything.

Or they work a lot with the technicalities of Hammer and never release anything

If you don't understand the technical side of stuff like optimization, your layouts probably aren't good as a result. Hope this helps everyone itt.

 

[seth]

Heh, I used to just think that all video game designers sat around coding into a screen, and when the code was done, the game would pop out. It's odd to think that that's how it used to be.

I assumed everything was done with proprietary tools that no one but the developers had access to. I didn't think about it much until I discovered GameBanana and "skins".

 

[Snowbat]

Took me about 8 years or so to become fairly ok. But I still don't consider myself a pro mapper at all. If I were, I'd be making money with it.
And I'm not.

 

[RaVaGe]

I started to be interested in mapping in 2005-2006, so yeah 10 years and i'm still terrible :<.

 

[Muddy]

I'm no pro, but I like I think I've come a long way since Sally Valley.