Some Basic Stuff

(xwin) #1

I’m new to mapping, and just have a few questions.

First, I read that all brushes have to be contained in something to prevent leaks. I’m trying to make a map primarily outdoors, so how do I create objects “outside” a room? Which leads to my second question.

I want to create outdoor terrain. Do I just use brushes for that and connect all the terrain? I’ve done the room tutorials on a few different sites and am able to add objects, but I just don’t understand how to create an “outdoor” map with somewhat “random” ground, and sky.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
xwin

(GRouZER) #2

wel 1st you can make a terrain with easygen, you can download it here
Documentation will be installed.

Also you can dowload easygen video tutorials on the site.

When you have made a terrain, you can export the terrain as a map file, then you can load the terrain into radiant.
To make the map “sealed”, you can make a brush that has the same size as the terrain.
Then make the brush hollow, so you have a sky brush, 4 “walls”, and 1 “floor”, by going to the menu; selection->CSG-> make hollow.

Then give the walls and the sky a sky texture, the sky textures that i know that works is sd_batterysky.

You have to make sure that there are no gaps between the brushes of the “box” or your map wil leak.

If you want to load the map in the game, you have to put a few entities in it:

  • Info_playerdeathmath
  • team_redspawn (axis)
  • team_bluespawn (allies)

Brush faces in the map that are not viewable by players must have a caulk texture, for better performance.

Hope this helps :wink:

(Drakir) #3

First, yes your map must be inside a container, that is usally just a box that surrounds the whole map.

Youre also right about the terrain, its made out of brushes. But there are several programs that can do this for ya to make it alot easier. EasyGen is one of the best.

About the sky, there are several of them already in the mapping editor.

I really think u should look in the Sticky topics for tutorials on the issues u are aiming to learn more about. Start looking in this topic http://www.splashdamage.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1710

(xwin) #4

Thanks. EasyGen looks awesome.

I also read that I need something called Q3MAP. Do I need this/What is this?

(Theisy) #5

On the subject of making sky, if I have the sky box that easygen makes for me and I texture it, won’t half the textured surface be hidden by terrain. Does this matter or not?

(GRouZER) #6

Q3map is automaticly installed when you install Radiant.
Q3map is the map compiler.
To compile a map you can go to the bsp menu in Radiant and choose a compile option.

(eRRoLfLyNN) #7

Hi,

Just on the subject of terrain, would there be any sense / benefit in making the bottom brush of your map out of a number of different brushes, and manipulating them seperately with the Easygen plugin in Radiant? I am new to mapping and the whole idea of terrain scares the pOOp out of me :eek2:

My thinking is that it might be easier to control the effect i’m having on these smaller brushes, and make them fit better with buildings etc, than if i try and make a terrain externally in EasyGen and then import it into Radiant?

Would this have an adverse effect on fps etc when the map is compiled? Is it even possible?! Or am I just thinking about things arse about face, so to speak? :smiley:

(badong) #8

ok to all the people new to mapping WELCOME!!
Now as far as all the questions about terrain go let me just say that you CAN do pretty much anything you want. You can make your terrain in easygen and then export it in radiant and then modify it in radiant and then import it again in easygen and then modify it again in easygen and then export it again and so on… Don’t be afraid to try things out…it’s the best way to learn.
Terrain used to be a bitch to make, but with easygen and other similar tools it’s much much easier these days.
If you’re not sure about something just go ahead and try it and see if it works. Don’t worry too much about FPS if you’re just starting out. First try to get a hang on the basics of brush work and such because you won’t understand the “efficient” ways of doing things anyway until you have a solid understanding of modeling.

Anyway…yes split your terrain a million ways if you want, half the sky texture will be covered by terrain and this doesn’t matter(remember you don’t have to textrue the bottom brush since it’s not visible, also remember to texture any other brush faces that are not visible with caulk) and always remember this link:
http://www.splashdamage.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1710

(eRRoLfLyNN) #9

Thanks for answering my question badong. It’s good to know there are people about here that will help you out if you’re stuck. :drink:

I’m glad to hear that you can keep messing about with the terrain after you’ve made it, and that you can have multiple cut down parts of terrain. Of course I have just started mapping and already I want to make Goldrush! Hehe. I suppose I should learn the tools and concepts first before I do that. The map I am making at the minute is just a load of buildings and a dynamitable wall. I am just trying everything out in it. But the main problem I am having is terrain - because I am just plain scared of it. I’ll experiment a bit with it and see how it goes.

Thanks again for your help! :clap: