Noob question Created 19 years ago2005-02-27 12:24:39 UTC by helchat

hello,

As seen in the subject I'm noob at level editing with hammer, I followed the tutorials for beginners but it only shows how to build rooms. My problem is that I want to build more complexes structures but I don't know how to begin or at least how to orient my learning.

I plan to make a outdoor huge level, an electrical power plant. I wonder how should I build the dam, with brushes in Hammer or another 3D software? I plan to walk into the dam and on the top of it too. Does it change anything?

See the image for example: http://semsci.u-strasbg.fr/images/barrage.jpg

Thanks in advance!

i'm not sure about the curved bits, but that should be possible to build in hammer. if you want to have the curved bits though, theres a free version of softimage XSI used for hl2 models.

Are you planning to make the dam a model?

Actually my question is, should I make the dam a model or build it with brushes?

It won't be the dam on the jpeg but there will be lots of curved bits in it. And curves seems difficult to model in Hammer, isn't it?

thanks again

I wouldnt start mapping with something as complex as that, I did and its total sh-t. Start with a room and the basics and then work you way through trust me starting with outdoor maps is not a good Idea.

Let him try it.

Not everyone is going to struggle like you.

I hurt

If you are interested in making a dam like setting, I recommend checking out Agent Smith's DM_Hydro. Wonderful map, and it seems to have some architecture you might want to examine.

That looks perfectly achievable in hammer, but I dunno about the water effects.

As Trapt said, the architecture is definately achievable in Hammer. It would require a fair bit of Vertex Manipulation, so make sure you're fairly competent in it before undertaking the task.
You could also use Displacements to get the curved effect behind the water rush. Check the SnarkPit for more info.

The hardest bit youl find is creating the water pouring into the river at the bottom. Creating moving water is hard in source, Its something I think they skimped on I mean with all there fancy new physics stuff they could of created physics related water?

Well, there will be no water effect as on the jpeg, in fact it will be a different dam and the one I plan to make is a lot larger than this one, and it leads me to another problem... as the dam is as high as a building of 40 levels and as I plan to walk on the top of it, I will have to mask the horizon with fog as seen in HL2 single player when we're under the bridge... well maybe i'm too ambitious for a first map hehe... Anyway I will have look to the map DM_Hydro.

i'll give you some newz

thanks a lot guys

I think a forty-storey building might be a little much for Source. Maybe with lots of level changes and superb 3D skybox arrangements.

Just fake the botom 30 floors.