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Captain Terror
may-b try turning down the brightness of the light enviroment? what is the brightness set to now?
I reluctantly agree with you Yodalman, but it's not a very useful suggestion...
I just thought of a possible stab-in-the-dark solution to your problem, when i was experiencing unexplainable fps lag in hammer. I had just added a second HDD and started experiencing lag in the 3d window, that would get progressively worse with time, no matter if i was looking at a complex map or not.
It turned out to be directly related to adding the second HDD, and i found the answer by a suggesion from someone on another forum. If you've recently installed or have a second HDD, try this quick fix:
in vista:
1. go to control panel/power options, and click on the "change when the computer sleeps" link.
2.click on the "advanced power settings" link.
3. expand hardisk/turn harddrive off after, and select "never" for all harddrives.
I know this problem has probably nothing to do with your HDDs and more to do with your gfx card, but it's worth a try...
I just thought of a possible stab-in-the-dark solution to your problem, when i was experiencing unexplainable fps lag in hammer. I had just added a second HDD and started experiencing lag in the 3d window, that would get progressively worse with time, no matter if i was looking at a complex map or not.
It turned out to be directly related to adding the second HDD, and i found the answer by a suggesion from someone on another forum. If you've recently installed or have a second HDD, try this quick fix:
in vista:
1. go to control panel/power options, and click on the "change when the computer sleeps" link.
2.click on the "advanced power settings" link.
3. expand hardisk/turn harddrive off after, and select "never" for all harddrives.
I know this problem has probably nothing to do with your HDDs and more to do with your gfx card, but it's worth a try...
You might be running dangerously low on certain resources... To see what you might be running low on, recompile with the -chart command parameter, and it will show you in percentages, how much mapping resources you've used like leafs, patches, etc...
To use the -chart command using the Compilator, move to the "shared" options tab, and check the "chart" checkbox.
To use the -chart command using the Compilator, move to the "shared" options tab, and check the "chart" checkbox.
friggin awesome Rim i'll have to DEF check this out..
P
Is the conveyor set as texture-emitting in the lights.rad(if so remove it). Also maybe, use a light_spot with "is sky" checked to yes, and also possibly just turn the light_environment way down...
edit: you might also have an error causing the pillar to show fullbright? You might also fiddle with the ZHLT lightflags, but as you already know, they are quite buggy...
edit: you might also have an error causing the pillar to show fullbright? You might also fiddle with the ZHLT lightflags, but as you already know, they are quite buggy...
Yes all said is true, plus a tip for very small brushes: for very tiny brushes, you must "zoom out" even moar to be able to select them.
Once you get the touch for the selection method Tetsu0 mentioned, you can become quite accurate at it. You can also CTRL+select brushes/vertices(in-case you didn't know) which is also extremely useful.
Once you get the touch for the selection method Tetsu0 mentioned, you can become quite accurate at it. You can also CTRL+select brushes/vertices(in-case you didn't know) which is also extremely useful.
Darkie: no
I think mine should be considered a WIP until I find out how to use sound effects for ambience.Your paths may be messed up. try making an ambient generic and using this path structure:
ambience/yoursoundhere.wav
Also keep in mind, if there are no cues in the sound file, it will only play once and never repeat. Most HL sounds but not all have cue points. If you're making your own wavs, they have must be pcm unsigned 8-bit mono, and you MUST add cue points (at the beginning and end of the wavfile) if you need it to repeat. I use goldwave to edit my wavfiles.
Yeah TJB is right, i used it as a marker to make sure a compile completed, but then i just left it there and waited for someone to notice it! (i should have added a gametext declaring you a winnar if you noticed it, lol)
Tetsu0: I hope you do! you had a really great start with that thing, shame to see it unfinished..
raver: LOL
All: btw, has anyone tried the splash, and if so, did it work for you?
YAY POTATIS! If ur guna remake that locker room there better be some cool changes! Custom textures would be very refreshing for that particular map remake too...
In any event, glad to have you aboard!
Dauby
Atom
Urby(i don't care if your machine doesn't run hammer MAKE IT WORK)
Cstriker
ATDestroy
Hotdog (2nd map)
Tetsu0 (Pirate ship)
anyone else??...
In any event, glad to have you aboard!
)
In other news, i haven't worked on the intro map in a LONG time, but i'll try to get back to it soon (work has been crazy, so i haven't had time!). Anyone else out there still with WIPs in the wings like:Dauby
Atom
Urby(i don't care if your machine doesn't run hammer MAKE IT WORK)
Cstriker
ATDestroy
Hotdog (2nd map)
Tetsu0 (Pirate ship)
anyone else??...
You did the right thing Satch. Good on you.
Stab her in the faceWould have worked equally well imo.
)
I cared! = )
Herrrooow! is there anybody still out there! = )
Well i was stranded for almost a week without internets(offline mode worked THANK GOD), so i updated my rooms:S map:
(sorry if this screenie sucks, i'm in a sun-drenched and can't see dick)
Downloadie
Would greatly appreciate any comments/feedback! This is my second Source map ever, so be gentle, but firm.. = )
Inside the map, you'll see what is supposed to be a remake of the Silent Scope video game. It's working the way i want to for the most part, but i need some help/suggestions to make it better. among them:
1. how do i make the zombies respawn?
2. Each time you shoot a zombie, i want it to tick a counter that ticks a display to give you a "score" that shows up on the video game screen. Is this possible without using gametexts? (again, i'd like to rig up a visible counter for score inside the game if possible.
3.Other improvements like maybe a loading screen(trigger camera? toggle texture, other?) I'm sure there are a million ways to do this in source, but what do you think would be the best way?
4.Other stuff like maybe a small-radius ambient playing the Silent Scope them when you start playin the game.
Greatly appreciate any comments and suggestions for improving the video game, and any of the other noobish elements of the map! Thanks in advance.
Well i was stranded for almost a week without internets(offline mode worked THANK GOD), so i updated my rooms:S map:
Downloadie
Would greatly appreciate any comments/feedback! This is my second Source map ever, so be gentle, but firm.. = )
Inside the map, you'll see what is supposed to be a remake of the Silent Scope video game. It's working the way i want to for the most part, but i need some help/suggestions to make it better. among them:
1. how do i make the zombies respawn?
2. Each time you shoot a zombie, i want it to tick a counter that ticks a display to give you a "score" that shows up on the video game screen. Is this possible without using gametexts? (again, i'd like to rig up a visible counter for score inside the game if possible.
3.Other improvements like maybe a loading screen(trigger camera? toggle texture, other?) I'm sure there are a million ways to do this in source, but what do you think would be the best way?
4.Other stuff like maybe a small-radius ambient playing the Silent Scope them when you start playin the game.
Greatly appreciate any comments and suggestions for improving the video game, and any of the other noobish elements of the map! Thanks in advance.
)
P.S. - Who else still has WIPs or plans to participate in this project?Crap stains1 I only tested it in steam, although i thought i made it WON-compatible too. shite. Anyone else try the splash screen to see if it works?
btw zeeba, here is an updated version of your map i worked on last night. I put a side-by-side comparison pic of radcore, and the edited rooms version, and you're right, yours is darker. what compile settings did you use? And your right the original looks much much better than the rooms edit, but like i said, i did what i had to to get it to compile. We/you/i could also try scaling some of the textures back down, and using a higher chop value. Here are the settings i used to compile your map:
hlfix.exe "D:\D2\vhe\maps\rooms7.rmf" -w "D:\D2\vhe\tools\wad.txt"
hlcsg.exe "D:\D2\vhe\maps\rooms7.map" -cliptype Simple -texdata 8192 -low -chart -estimate
hlbsp.exe "D:\D2\vhe\maps\rooms7.map" -texdata 8192 -low -chart -estimate
hlvis.exe "D:\D2\vhe\maps\rooms7.map" -full -texdata 8192 -low -chart -estimate
hlrad.exe "D:\D2\vhe\maps\rooms7.map" -extra -sparse -bounce 1 -chop 72 -smooth 50 -texchop 32 -texdata 8192 -low -chart -estimate
btw zeeba, here is an updated version of your map i worked on last night. I put a side-by-side comparison pic of radcore, and the edited rooms version, and you're right, yours is darker. what compile settings did you use? And your right the original looks much much better than the rooms edit, but like i said, i did what i had to to get it to compile. We/you/i could also try scaling some of the textures back down, and using a higher chop value. Here are the settings i used to compile your map:
hlfix.exe "D:\D2\vhe\maps\rooms7.rmf" -w "D:\D2\vhe\tools\wad.txt"
hlcsg.exe "D:\D2\vhe\maps\rooms7.map" -cliptype Simple -texdata 8192 -low -chart -estimate
hlbsp.exe "D:\D2\vhe\maps\rooms7.map" -texdata 8192 -low -chart -estimate
hlvis.exe "D:\D2\vhe\maps\rooms7.map" -full -texdata 8192 -low -chart -estimate
hlrad.exe "D:\D2\vhe\maps\rooms7.map" -extra -sparse -bounce 1 -chop 72 -smooth 50 -texchop 32 -texdata 8192 -low -chart -estimate
Running with VIS -FULL might eliminate those "leaf saw" errors listed in your compile log. These are the root of your problem i think.
To run with "full" vis, go to the VIS tab in compilator, and check the "FUll VIS" checkbox.
If that doesn't work, you'll have to remake the architecture listed at or near the coordinates it gives you for the leaf-saw errors.
Making your complicated architecture in Hammer is easier if your objects are comprised of 4-sided triangles only. For example if you cut up a cube into 4-sided triangles, you will have 6 seperate polygons making up that cube. You can get away with only using 4 polygons if you want to have that cube somewhat hollow.
For an example of what i'm talking about, check out this example map
Leaf-saw errors can be a major pain. The best way to fight them--before you gain the real experience to avoid building them--, is to compile/backup your maps often. This allows you to catch/fix them before you get a map that is horribly tedious to debug, and gives you the opportunity to "go back" to an older version, in the case you can't fix them.
I backup my maps about every hour of editing time, or more frequently if i'm about to make a major change. I can't stress enough how important this is to saving you time!
To run with "full" vis, go to the VIS tab in compilator, and check the "FUll VIS" checkbox.
If that doesn't work, you'll have to remake the architecture listed at or near the coordinates it gives you for the leaf-saw errors.
Making your complicated architecture in Hammer is easier if your objects are comprised of 4-sided triangles only. For example if you cut up a cube into 4-sided triangles, you will have 6 seperate polygons making up that cube. You can get away with only using 4 polygons if you want to have that cube somewhat hollow.
For an example of what i'm talking about, check out this example map
Leaf-saw errors can be a major pain. The best way to fight them--before you gain the real experience to avoid building them--, is to compile/backup your maps often. This allows you to catch/fix them before you get a map that is horribly tedious to debug, and gives you the opportunity to "go back" to an older version, in the case you can't fix them.
I backup my maps about every hour of editing time, or more frequently if i'm about to make a major change. I can't stress enough how important this is to saving you time!
)
[/leaf-saw error cessation tutorial]yes and yes go darkie IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!!1
)
It has come to my attention that, some have lately called me a collaborator, as if, such a term were shameful.
Star Wars:Knights Of the Old Republic?
Yes i did zeeba--I've been away since last wednesday, stranded without internets! ='<
I'll look into your query as soon as i can. = )
BTW, has anyone tested and/or have comments on the preliminary Splash screen?
Download
I'll look into your query as soon as i can. = )
BTW, has anyone tested and/or have comments on the preliminary Splash screen?
Download
Nice Seventh, i'm installing Ubuntu on my lappy soon too(As soon as i can find a wireless lan driver for my rig that will work)
Ha that looks pretty cool Tetsu0, is that your own design? And yeah, i think that would be cool if we put them all in the same map too.
I hope everyone includes their .rmfs so i can have fun dissecting all the delicious fancy brushwork... yum yum!
I hope everyone includes their .rmfs so i can have fun dissecting all the delicious fancy brushwork... yum yum!
)
In case you didn't already know:
load the point file in hammer(under the map menu in hammer), but don't load the .pts but the .lin file. You'll have a zigzagging line throughout your map; where the line turns from from blue to red should be close to or exactly where your leak is. If you have multiple leaks, you'll have to to do this for each leak, as it only shows you one at a time.
Use "big block" method to isolate where the leak is if you're having problems with the first method. This consists of using big world blocks to "block off" big sections of your map, to help isolate what location the leak is coming from.
Remember any entities touching the outside world will instantly cause leaks!
load the point file in hammer(under the map menu in hammer), but don't load the .pts but the .lin file. You'll have a zigzagging line throughout your map; where the line turns from from blue to red should be close to or exactly where your leak is. If you have multiple leaks, you'll have to to do this for each leak, as it only shows you one at a time.
Use "big block" method to isolate where the leak is if you're having problems with the first method. This consists of using big world blocks to "block off" big sections of your map, to help isolate what location the leak is coming from.
Remember any entities touching the outside world will instantly cause leaks!
Yeah i was guna say, you'll always be able to download the current updates and patches, they just won't be offering any new ones after the 14th, right? (except to "Extended Hotfix Support" contract holders)
I dunno try a newer fgd maybe?(i'm using this one) What version of hammer are you using? (i'm using 3.5 beta)
What do you think about changing the way stickies look to make them stand out or otherwise be seperate from normal posts. This is an fast and dirty example of what i mean:
PB said you can use Twister to switch .vmf to .rmf (i think?) TRY IT
But why on earth would you want to? In terms of brushwork, the nasty off-grid glitch and some other bugs really turn me off to hammer 4. Oh wait, are you trying to do this because hammer 3.x is incompatible with your computer?
But why on earth would you want to? In terms of brushwork, the nasty off-grid glitch and some other bugs really turn me off to hammer 4. Oh wait, are you trying to do this because hammer 3.x is incompatible with your computer?
Alt-P while in hammer, click on the one or many "texture axis perpindicular to face" errors, and click the "fix all of type" button, and the error should disappear from your compile log. = )
After seeing other people do it, i stated using BEVEL on not-meant-to-be-seen textures, but i don't really understand the distinction between that and NULL, even after reading the description at ZHLT.info. (I have found tho, beveling outside world faces, can sometimes cause an unexplainable leak--happened at least once for me. Switching the face where the blue-red line passed through to NULL fixed it)
I've found the biggest impact personally for freeing up patches is upping the texture scale, but after reading this thread, i will TOTALLY use the other features mentioned in this thread the next time i have to edit one of zeeba-G's maps!
I've found the biggest impact personally for freeing up patches is upping the texture scale, but after reading this thread, i will TOTALLY use the other features mentioned in this thread the next time i have to edit one of zeeba-G's maps!
) = ) = )
Maybe after a retexture (someday). Regrettably, my most fun projects like this one are low on the priority list due to other obligations, but i really enjoy little projects like this...
)
Looks pretty sweet man, can't wait to see the finished product! = )
My latest version
I would like to do SO MUCH more for this, but i simply don't have the time. Since it will be a very long time befor i'll be able to work on this again, i'll says this is my final entry.
I would like to do SO MUCH more for this, but i simply don't have the time. Since it will be a very long time befor i'll be able to work on this again, i'll says this is my final entry.
Nice! as soon as i finish up my current goldsource projects i'll DEF check those out (added to HL2 bookmarks)
LOL i didn't even know minimum light level worked in HL! AWESOME
)
I'll try, send me somethin. = )
I'm willing to help with some detailing and world props if you want, maybe fold might be willing to contribute some static props with his new-found milkshape skills too(you probably need skilled animators i know, but).
I'm sure many others would help to if you enticed them with caek.
I'm sure many others would help to if you enticed them with caek.
There may have been women to visit this site, but 100% of them were existing members pretending to be women.
hi hi hi there!
)
A. you could make it a train, and have it teleport from a seperate box with lights on it(how half-life properly lighted the train at the beginning of Half-Life)
B. (what i would probably do) Make the textures of the box "impregnated" inside the world brush, into texlights. To easliy do so:
1. make a info_player_start entity
2. Simply rename the entity(class box under object properties) to "info_texlights"
3. click "add" button.
4. Under "key" type the texture name, under "value" type the color and brightness, i.e. 255 255 255 50.
If your object is made of multiple textures, you will need to maek textlight values for each one. (you can put them all in one info_texlights entity)
Experiment with brightnesses to see what looks best; I would start really low--like a brightness value of 5, and brighten as needed--, and use just enough brightness to make it show up normally.
B. (what i would probably do) Make the textures of the box "impregnated" inside the world brush, into texlights. To easliy do so:
1. make a info_player_start entity
2. Simply rename the entity(class box under object properties) to "info_texlights"
3. click "add" button.
4. Under "key" type the texture name, under "value" type the color and brightness, i.e. 255 255 255 50.
If your object is made of multiple textures, you will need to maek textlight values for each one. (you can put them all in one info_texlights entity)
Experiment with brightnesses to see what looks best; I would start really low--like a brightness value of 5, and brighten as needed--, and use just enough brightness to make it show up normally.
Results for ZHLT 3.4 x64 Final vs. 3.4 x64 SSE2, on an intel-based x64 system:
On a medium map, vis took 30 seconds longer and RAD was 30 seconds shorter... so, no real increase or impediment from what i can see. Cool friggin update anyway, and very exciting to see an update on the tools regardless!
On a medium map, vis took 30 seconds longer and RAD was 30 seconds shorter... so, no real increase or impediment from what i can see. Cool friggin update anyway, and very exciting to see an update on the tools regardless!
Sadly unhappy -I dunno what you mean, you've made our lives so much easier by maintaining and updating the tools...WE LUV U!
)
Announcement - FileFront has been acquired by the original founders of the site and will NOT be suspended as previously announced. This is NOT an April Fool's Joke. Read more..TEH YAY! = )
I could never get transparency to work for Half-life models, but if urby and co. says it's possible, it's definitely worth a try!
Great information on the match patches error! (i wish i had this last week when i was editing zeeba-g's rooms map!)
)
+1 rep to WC and Fonzie for providing info about the patches error i never heard of b4!GAH I was on POWER SAVING! = (
(that's why my compiles were taking 4 times as long(i was so scared!)
The power went out the other night, and i switched to power saving mode. Stupidly, I thought the Windows automatically would switch back to "high performance" when it started to recieve AC power againe....
So anyway, i'll do sum moar compile testing under "high performance" and post my actual results! SORRY!
(that's why my compiles were taking 4 times as long(i was so scared!)
The power went out the other night, and i switched to power saving mode. Stupidly, I thought the Windows automatically would switch back to "high performance" when it started to recieve AC power againe....
So anyway, i'll do sum moar compile testing under "high performance" and post my actual results! SORRY!
Oh because of that female pop singer avatar! = )
For what it's worth, I like MuzzleFlash better too.
For what it's worth, I like MuzzleFlash better too.
I found when trying to reproduce my original compile times from old maps on my current system configuration, I wasn't able to(I recently fresh installed vista 64 on my machine, and fsr compiles are taking 4 times as long as my previous, stock installed os...troubleshooting now)
So in other words, it looks like i'm getting similar or identical performance between the 3.4 x64 FINAL tools, and the SSE2 upgraded ones.
Sorry 'bout the misinformation! I'll test more and report back if i find any more interesting info.. = )
So in other words, it looks like i'm getting similar or identical performance between the 3.4 x64 FINAL tools, and the SSE2 upgraded ones.
Sorry 'bout the misinformation! I'll test more and report back if i find any more interesting info.. = )
Yeah i didn't realize you'd been here that long, and i thought you were a recent spam account, with an intentionally offensive name like ni**er, or the multiple "penis-spam" usernames.... You've been "Darkie" you're whole time here at TWHL?
Censored for your convenience. -mod
Censored for your convenience. -mod
AWW i was so excited! = (
Is this the real AMCKERN?! HOLY CRAP thanks for you work on the ZHLT tools over the years WE WORSHIP YOU HERE!
Is this the real AMCKERN?! HOLY CRAP thanks for you work on the ZHLT tools over the years WE WORSHIP YOU HERE!
)
How cool! I'll do test out the new 64-bit tools and report back results on my machine. THANKS
VIS takes 4 times lonter and RAD time was doubled... I'll try restarting my comp, doing it again, and try some other tests tho... Is there something else i have to do?
)
edit: Cpuz says my cpu has SSE2 instruction sets, and i'm running x64, but my results are dismal using these upgraded tools compared to the latest regular ZHLT 3.4 x64 final...VIS takes 4 times lonter and RAD time was doubled... I'll try restarting my comp, doing it again, and try some other tests tho... Is there something else i have to do?
You know how when you search some other forums, and click a result, it doesn't just bring you to the thread, but to the page where the match occured?
Can our forum do that?
Also on an unrelated note, I've been running at a pretty high resolution so i started to use the "CTRL +" thingie in FireFox to make webpages text bigger(I DIDN'T KNOW THE IMAGES SCALED TOO!), and i've noticed TWHL "scales" much better than some other sites i go to! KUDOS
Can our forum do that?
Also on an unrelated note, I've been running at a pretty high resolution so i started to use the "CTRL +" thingie in FireFox to make webpages text bigger(I DIDN'T KNOW THE IMAGES SCALED TOO!), and i've noticed TWHL "scales" much better than some other sites i go to! KUDOS
)
Zeeba I'm using filefactory since FF went down. I also signed up for X10hosting, and i'm currently searching for others, but nothing i fear will be as easy/convenient as FileFront.
I have to say, i'm almost about to give up and start paying for hosting! =)
Did anyone try the splash screen yet?
Oh and about the Archive.Org thingie, i uploaded it. Also, if anyone cares to test, I just added a new one:
Rooms fileplanet mirror
I have to say, i'm almost about to give up and start paying for hosting! =)
Did anyone try the splash screen yet?
Oh and about the Archive.Org thingie, i uploaded it. Also, if anyone cares to test, I just added a new one:
Rooms fileplanet mirror
SUPER BUMP.
I figured out your problem. First let me say despite all the EXCELLENT tips in this thread--not being sarcastic--, i don't think one person who responded actually looked at the actual map closely (myself included).
The problem is with the spherical "heads" of your xenish creatures. Somehow, you carved a single brush into an 18-sided polygon !!!!! I can't even really guess how you did this in the first place...Clipping? CTRL-F(adding vertex)?...Brushwork generator?..Dark Magic???! :crazy:
Anyway: YOU CAN'T DO THIS IN HAMMER. There are multiple methods for making perfectly fine spheres in Hammer, but this, this is NOT one!
Among the many methods, in general, you make the complex shape from many individual brushes, the safest way being, to make the entire thing from 4-sided polygons only. (using this method, you can make any shape imaginable, error-free in Hammer.)
SORRY I TOOK SO LONG TO ANSWER! I was cleaning out my "maps to play" folder and found this thing lurking in the shadows...
I figured out your problem. First let me say despite all the EXCELLENT tips in this thread--not being sarcastic--, i don't think one person who responded actually looked at the actual map closely (myself included).
The problem is with the spherical "heads" of your xenish creatures. Somehow, you carved a single brush into an 18-sided polygon !!!!! I can't even really guess how you did this in the first place...Clipping? CTRL-F(adding vertex)?...Brushwork generator?..Dark Magic???! :crazy:
Anyway: YOU CAN'T DO THIS IN HAMMER. There are multiple methods for making perfectly fine spheres in Hammer, but this, this is NOT one!
Among the many methods, in general, you make the complex shape from many individual brushes, the safest way being, to make the entire thing from 4-sided polygons only. (using this method, you can make any shape imaginable, error-free in Hammer.)
SORRY I TOOK SO LONG TO ANSWER! I was cleaning out my "maps to play" folder and found this thing lurking in the shadows...