HL2/CS:S prefab mapping project

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » February 9th, 2005, 11:30

**EDIT** This idea mostly scrapped now.

my thoughts are to basically aim to build a lot of the common sights in the UK - not as maps as such, but as prefab buildings to save people effort when mapping.

the idea is to go for crummy old high rise council flats, warehouses, old factory style buildings, terrace houses, council estate style houses (concrete prefab things, all the same) nasty new houses. also shops (both corner and high-street) and suchlike.

all of the things you see day to day going through life in the UK, right now.

none of the futuristic crap, just as we see, day in, day out.

now the difference with this lot is that the buildings etc would need to be workable, so rather than a building being scenery, each and every last part of the building should be accessable, lighting should be appropriate, doors working, etc. etc. *but* stuff like spawn points etc would not need to go in, the aim is to make a large amount of content that can be copied and pasted into maps later on.

though, there *may* be some issues, i'm unsure how much the source engine can sustain like this.

Either way, if anyone fancies trying this. woo!

mapping skill/experience isn't needed, if you want to learn, this could work out a good fun project.

possibly if it goes well, we could work on a mod of sorts later on.

any thoughts?

Jinxx · Post by **Jinxx** » February 9th, 2005, 11:35

I'm also going to join in with this project, being at the end of an architectural course and all.

Hammer is fairly straightforward and anyone with the half a brain could use it.

Should I set up a repository on the geekfreely domain for it?

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » February 9th, 2005, 11:40

ooh, we're an announcement now! :D

don't worry about the space thing yet, i reckon once i'm home tomorrow, we sit down and work out some guidelines and stuff for the sizes of doors and whatever so we get an underlying feel to the buildings.

Woo Elephant Yeah · Post by **Woo Elephant Yeah** » February 9th, 2005, 11:41

I will definitely get involved with this once I get HL2

Quite fancy getting involved with map making, but apparently COD's map maker is an absolute bitch to use, so this should be a good way of learning the tricks of the trade

Could you provide us plebs with any useful guides/instructions/download locations

*orders HL2 at long last*

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » February 9th, 2005, 11:43

huzzah!

when first looking at hammer, it's very overwhelming, but once you've got the basics down, it's pretty bloody easy to do most things.

Woo Elephant Yeah · Post by **Woo Elephant Yeah** » February 9th, 2005, 11:44

I'm going to make a chip shop

You will have to crouch in order to walk under that movable flap thing they all have

Jinxx · Post by **Jinxx** » February 9th, 2005, 11:52

Woo Elephant Yeah wrote:You will have to crouch in order to walk under that movable flap thing they all have

You could just make it movable.

FLAPS!
/Vince

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » February 9th, 2005, 11:54

yay!

make it so the glass bit is hot too!

bastard, you've made me want chips now

Jinxx · Post by **Jinxx** » February 9th, 2005, 12:00

Dr. Kitteny Berk wrote:bastard, you've made me want chips now

Me too...

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » February 9th, 2005, 12:01

Woo Elephant Yeah wrote:
Could you provide us plebs with any useful guides/instructions/download locations

i'll get onto sorting a list of linkies, a few home made guides and a few basic demo maps tomorrow

i found http://www.hl2world.com/wiki/index.php/First_CSS_Room to be quite good (hard to decipher in places, but it's what i started with)

along with most of http://www.hl2world.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
http://collective.valve-erc.com/ also helpful

mrbobbins · Post by **mrbobbins** » February 9th, 2005, 12:29

I'm still getting to grips with hammer but it really is fairly simple to use. This sounds like a great idea and will definately get involved, i'll have a think about what to do, or Berk could hand out building assignments :!:

Jinxx · Post by **Jinxx** » February 9th, 2005, 12:46

I guess i should write out a list of useful terminology and stuff to do with architecture to make writing about this crap easier. Especially if we're going to be doing real buildings.

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » February 9th, 2005, 12:47

woo!

i've not really thought about this too much yet, but i think the best way to do it will be to work out what needs making, with basic specs for sizes, perhaps sketches of styles, then provide a list for people to pick and choose from (so we get a good range of buildings without having far too many of one thingand none of another)

though, when it comes down to it, it'll be the mapper's choice of how to make something, how to decorate it (if at all)

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » February 9th, 2005, 12:49

Jinxx wrote:I guess i should write out a list of useful terminology and stuff to do with architecture to make writing about this crap easier. Especially if we're going to be doing real buildings.

yes, and doodles (or map parts/screenshots) to demonstrate.

Jinxx · Post by **Jinxx** » February 9th, 2005, 12:50

Dr. Kitteny Berk wrote:yes, and doodles (or map parts/screenshots) to demonstrate.

Yeah okay, I'll start on that tonight.

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » February 9th, 2005, 12:51

now all we need is someone who can use softimage

Stoat · Post by **Stoat** » February 9th, 2005, 13:23

Don't ever say SoftImage in my presence.
That program is some kind of Devil offspring.

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » February 9th, 2005, 13:49

Arf!

so true.

Jinxx · Post by **Jinxx** » February 9th, 2005, 15:02

I've started writing a guide to architecture from the point of view of a Hammer user... hopefully this should allow a good sense of realism in what we produce.

Post by **Joose** » February 9th, 2005, 15:49

this sounds like fun, so ive downloaded hammer and will have a go a little later.

I always thought parts of my Uni (Leicester) would make a good map, so I may do something based on that. Then I could introduce you all to the joys of the Paternoster.

Just a thought though, how big a building can source take? I know it could handle 3 or 4 story buildings, but what about 15? 20? 100? When will it start to spack?