WiP in WiP, post your screenshots!

[Jusa]

Wanted to try what would come of sketching a layout in sideview rather than the usual topdown layouting.

Bonus pic of intelroom:

 

[Moonfixer]

Map layout sketch

I suppose this counts as a work in progress. So I was sketching a map layout while I get my computer fixed. This is what I came up with. (this sketch is half of the map.)

Thoughts on the planned layout are welcome. Sorry its so sketchy.

 

[RaVaGe]

Planned layouts never work, do your shit on hammer and iterate.

 

[fubarFX]

Planned layouts never work, do your shit on hammer and iterate.

preach

 

[JMaxchill]

Planned layouts never work, do your shit on hammer and iterate.

Eh, I find planning does help, but generally what I do is start in Hammer, then when I can't think what goes next (generally around a point or something) I switch to paper to try and work out what to do

 

[RaVaGe]

Eh, I find planning does help, but generally what I do is start in Hammer, then when I can't think what goes next (generally around a point or something) I switch to paper to try and work out what to do

Sure it help, but a planned layout have few chance to survive the first tests from my experience, so it's not really the thing you should focus on.

Of course some experienced level designer are able to create a great level on the first version, but it's rare and takes a lot of experience to achieve this.

Some great counter examples :

http://www.kimd.se/pl_vanishingpoint.html
http://www.kimd.se/files/Kim.Dahlgren.Design.Document.PL-VaninishingPoint.pdf

http://www.nodraw.net/2010/01/interview-iikka/

So take my advice with a pinch of salt, take the time to make plans, but don't stick to them too much except if you know what you do really well.

 

[JMaxchill]

Take the time to make plans, but don't stick to them too much except if you know what you do really well.

Generally I only plan the immediate areas around control points in as little detail as possible, since every time I make a massively detailed plan then try to put it into Hammer I can't make it fit at all. This probably means that the areas between the points are sketchy as hell, but so are the plans

 

[Moonfixer]

This was just a loose plan I had in my head and sketched on paper. I thought it'd be alright to post it here. I'm aware that it's most likely better to block it out in hammer. However like I said I'm currently getting my computer fixed.

 

[Vincent]

Posting idea's in here is totally fine. I've just noticed with myself, as Ravidge said, that the layouts I generally pencil out are disregarded almost immediately once I actually get into hammer.

Now I just tell myself the basic idea's I want to employ, the rough idea of where I want things and what theme transitions I want to try.

 

[Moonfixer]

Oh, Ok then.

 

[tyler]

The only thing I do on paper is basic layout flow. Nothing more complex than circles and lines between them for rough routes; I don't draw anything that will become a brush. Anything else gets thrown out. Designing a 3D environment on a 2D surface is just too challenging.

 

[Vincent]

I also like to draw from a perspective of what something could look like in hammer. A specific area or building, basic architecture and landscaping. I don't factor any of it into a layout, just to get idea's going.

 

[Uncuepa]

Did an update video talking about my current maps and some of the thought that has gone into the changes. If you have a few minutes I suggest a watch!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PnRE6LN0Ws

 

[Crash]

I personally like to draw top down views for basic rough ideas, but once I get into hammer they tend to deviate drastically. Still not a bad way to get the general concept down though, in my experience.

 

[Idolon]

Ravidge

lol

Pencil & paper pretty much the most efficient way that exists to create a graphical representation of an idea, and having a representation of your idea in any form is great for analysis (both by yourself and other people). Getting your ideas out of your head and into something tangible is super useful. I recommend messing around with different ways of sketching ideas to figure out what's most effective for yourself.

That said, if an idea works on paper and not in Hammer, it doesn't work. I imagine that if you do enough layouts on paper, you'll learn what works and what doesn't. Practice makes perfect!

 

[Berry]

Everyone here is talking about how they bring about their maps from pen and paper, but mine are all purely from the mind. Being able to put concepts from your mind on to paper to refine them before properly building them is nothing but a skill or a gift if you ask me; one that I don't hone. Plus it's a lot more fun (and less time-taking, which really shows in regards map-making) to go straight off the bat and see where things end.

I must admit it'd be nice to plan ahead some neat structures though.

 

[Muddy]

I really absolutely cannot make things up as I go along. I always need at least a basic plan. (I do tend to deviate really far from the original plan when I'm in Hammer though.)

 

[Uncuepa]

Everyone here is talking about how they bring about their maps from pen and paper, but mine are all purely from the mind. Being able to put concepts from your mind on to paper to refine them before properly building them is nothing but a skill or a gift if you ask me; one that I don't hone. Plus it's a lot more fun (and less time-taking, which really shows in regards map-making) to go straight off the bat and see where things end.

I must admit it'd be nice to plan ahead some neat structures though.

I make 9/10 of all my designs in hammer, no paper involved. the only time I draw is for 72 hour concepts and if I am away from my pc.

 

[Freyja]

Most of my maps are made purely in hammer off no plan at all as well. That said, I usually plan for the 72h contest (to save time) and they generally seem to work out more successfully for me, so...

 

[Moonfixer]

Well this was fun.