TF2 Mapping-Link Resources

[DJive]

added another 10 links.

post your good finds guys, help everyone out =)

 

[R3dRuM]

Pakrat: Used to embed textures in the bsp file and more stuff on the website:
http://www.geocities.com/cofrdrbob/pakrat.html

7-zip: Used to compress your .bsp's into .bsp.bz2's
http://www.7-zip.org/

Nems Tools: Lots of various tools useful in the development of maps and hl2 mod making
http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/

 

[phatal]

Did you add THE LINK Youme posted recently?

What about Youme's guide to displacement cliffs?

 

[Pseudo]

Here are some links that I've found useful.

Pages on the Valve Developer Community wiki:

• Level Design
  - Organized list of mapping resources on the wiki
  
• Team Fortress 2 Level Creation
  - A list of some useful TF2-specific pages in the wiki
  
• Team Fortress 2 Mapper's Reference
  - References such as player sizes, jump distances, 2fort's room dimensions
  
• Lighting
  - Links to lighting guides and explanations of the lighting entities
  
• Sky list for TF2
  - The skies available and suggested lighting settings
  
• XSI Mod Tool
  - Three tutorials on modeling with XSI and many links

Tools:

• GCFScape
  - Explore GCF directories and extract files.
• VMEX
  - Decompile BSP maps into VMF files.

Other:

• Team Fortress 2 Wiki
  - Information such as class move speeds, weapon damage amounts, control point timings for the default maps, and other gameplay mechanics.
  
• Round and Smooth corners with Displacements tutorial - fpsbanana
  - How to make rounded corners
  
• TF2Mappers Chat Log
  - In the the TF2maps Steam chat many questions are asked and answered. Once Google indexes the site's new domain you should be able to use a site search to find stuff. Here's the old URL which is currently searchable.

 

[DJive]

Bumping for the update with more links. If you guys have some really good links or feel there is a guide that is not on this list that should be post it.

Also I'm going to be reworking the list at a post to be a little more organized.

 

[DJive]

close to about 3 months since last post. New links, keep it coming guys.

 

[nman]

You can use Google Pages to host images with no limits besides a maximum of 100 MB of total images.

 

[DJive]

You can use Google Pages to host images with no limits besides a maximum of 100 MB of total images.

They currently do not offer the service anymore =(

^ Updated the threads with a few small links and also a shameless bump to those who have not seen or can add some more links to this section!

I'll love ya for it! :thumbup::thumbup::O:O

 

[Vander]

Best thread on the site.

 

[bobby1211]

1. Intro to brushes, making a room
2. Simple Skybox
3. Respawn Room
4. resupply locker, health and ammo packs
5. intel briefcase and cap
6. doors
7. Stairs
8. refresher course

The above links is an 8 video series (YouTube) on making your first map in hammer. Very basic and very useful. Teaches the basics with a visual you can follow along with. The only thing I disagree with in these videos is the use of carve to make the room instead of hollowing it. Same result, hollowing being faster.

-Bobby

 

[Ida]

I kinda wonder why I haven't bookmarked this yet. I've probably visited this thread, like, 20 times. I wish I could contribute with a link. >.>

 

[DJive]

Added a few links, updated with info posted around the forum. ctrl+f is now your best friend.


Keep them coming guys, help newer and veteran mappers alike.

 

[dane343]

Amazing collection...Possibly all i wanted to know about mapping since i am starting. If any one could help me i have a question about making a door destructible.

 

[A Boojum Snark]

*points to sig* Dunno where it would fall in... but might be useful to have in here.

 

[medd]

I stumbled upon this series of tutorials done by one guy. They aren't made with tf2 textures, but they are all very general and apply to all source mods. Each part of the series deals with a different tools brush. They are all very details with great screen shots. He hasn't finished a tutorials on every tool, but I sure hope he does...



General description of each tool

Skip and Hint

Block Light

Occluder

Area Portal

Skybox

 

[Rotab]

map editing optimization guide - excellent guide

404 :/

 

[RavenStryker]

General Level Editing Links
-General Help
--Map Files

Change
The original VALVe maps - Great Resource

from:
http://forums.tf2maps.net/showthread.php?t=16

to:
http://forums.tf2maps.net/showthread.php?t=5952

the other one is old and outdated
this other one is up to date with all the latest updates tot he maps.

Also, www.picoodle.com is a great site for hosting images

I would add, http://www.rarsoft.com/download.htm(WinRAR) to the 'Map Packing / Distributing'

 

[HeaH]

The map editing optimisation guide is broken

 

[GrimGriz]

I would add, http://www.rarsoft.com/download.htm(WinRAR) to the 'Map Packing / Distributing'

does winrar do bz2?

 

[RavenStryker]

yep it sure does =)