Hammer problem: NPCs Created 19 years ago2005-11-27 08:46:28 UTC by Kasperg

I ran the SDK with the " -beta sdk " parameter to see the new features. The only thing I like about it is the model browser.
But everything else is messed up...
If I try to insert an NPC in my map, Hammer automatically crashes when I press "Enter" to create the entity.
This has happened with ncp_breen, ncp_antlionguard and others. Npc_pigeon for example worked fine.
I think it has something to do with this update because it shows models in all 4 Hammer views. While browsing through the model viewer, some models (like Alyx, Breen etc) seem to be corrupted.
Has anyone had a similar problem? I cant revert back to the previous version of the editor, which is a shame.
Any suggestions?

Click

I think you can take back the old one. Destroy the parameter. Then go to SDK then: Refresh SDK content.

Worked for me.

I'll give it a try, thanks.
This Hammer beta version does more bad than good... :

Edit: Great! Problem solved

Hm thanks for that, I haven't had any problems with the beta but in case I do, thanks.

i refreshed the source SDK content and before i did, the beta crashed when i tried to load non-deathmatch maps and when i tried to create an NPC. now i cant even create a new map without crashing

Yeah... there's a reason why it's labelled "beta"...

And now half the people mapping for the Source compo are screwed! Awesome, this should make things easier for me

Wrong way to think habboi...

Habboi: In fact, you "broke" my SDK by giving me that odd command!
If I can't finnish my entity in time, the bet is off!

WHY CANT I REVERT BACK TO OLD SDK?! :'(

Have you tried what Zeg said?

Yes, try it. It worked for me.

Yeah I suggested this thread to them both and it seems I wrecked their SDK's
Sorry if this is being mean or rude but yay!

i did exactly that and now it doesnt do anything

The steps I did were:

1) Close Steam
2)Remove the "-beta sdk" parameter from the shortcut
3)Open Steam
4)Launch Source SDK. A progress bar should appear.
5)Once its done, select "Refresh SDK content" from the SDK menu.
6)Launch Hammer, and problems should be gone.

I talked to my neighbor, who works for Activision. He said that Hammer is one of the most stable level editor in the industry. It's very robust, and it's very well supported.

I am extremely thankful that Valve puts it out for free with the game. None of us would be here right now if Hammer is buggy or difficult to use.

It's definitely an easy-to-learn editor while I still find it efficient. It's much better than modelling your levels in 3DS Max, for example...

They've improved the stability in this recent release, at least they have for me. Autosave helps.

VALVe is also adding in some cool new features. Talia, whom some of you may know from the #valveerc channel, and myself are testing one function using different version maps that puts identical map pieces into a visgroup and leaves the new additions there for a contract project. Very useful for multiperson map projects.

Which is also an advantage I have in the architecture world. Most of my classmates (and teachers too) use AutoCAD and in some cases 3ds Max. I find Hammer to be much faster to build things, with the added bonus that you can actually walk around your creation in real time. It's priceless.

Indeed.

Right now, I'm onto a mapping project using 3ds Max. I've just started using the program and so far some things are fairly simple to get into, but not everything is as straighforward as Hammer. Do you have experience with 3ds Max as well, Kasperg?

Well not really. The only programs they taught us at uni were PhotoShop AutoCAD (besides the usual Office software). This year some teachers asked us to make some renders which could not be done in AutoCAD and told us to use 3dsMAX. But before trying to learn how to use it, I found that everything he was asking for could be done in Bryce with very little effort.
People in my uni work with AutoCAD, Photoshop and 3dMAX while I only use Hammer, Bryce and CorelXara.
The logical explanation is that I've been using these last three (in some cases demos) programs for about 5 years and I find it easier and faster. In schoolwork, every good thing you can do in half the normal time becomes twice as good