Pointfile won't load up Created 20 years ago2004-10-22 03:49:35 UTC by [VDC] Rad Brad

When I type pointfile into console, it says (in console) it couldn't load pointfile for maps/mymap.pts. The pointfile is in Valve's map folder. I have added a "-particles 60000" to the advanced command line in STEAM. I seem to have alot of leaks by the look of the pointfile in Hammer, but it's easier to me to find them in the game. BTW, one time I had a "too many visible entities" error scrolling in my console, but I chalked it up to starting over and over.

Any ideas on why this won't load?

Compile tools issue maybe?

Maybe the pointfile isn't in the Valve folder. Check.

Here's a trick that I use that seems pretty efficient:

Set your 3d view to Flatshaded, and load your pointfile in Hammer. Get into the playable area of the map, and 'walk' around. If you see the pointfile inside this playable area, follow it to where it hits a wall or floor or whatnot, and look for black space, since this'll be where a leak is. Repeat until all leaks are found and eliminated.

Hammer 3.5 has the option to view the pointfile line in eh camera screen, so you need that to follow Rab Himself's advice.

I prefer the Big Block method by far.

Look at RUST (gamedesign.net) for an excellent tutorial on leakfinding/prevention.

The pointfile is in Valve's map folder.

I will try the flat shading in Hammer. I prefer to do it in-game, but you can't have everything. This post is more about getting the pointfile to work than about leak prevention. I haven't changed anything, so I'm not sure what is wrong. The compiler shows that it is writing a .pts file and it's located in both places... Hammer/maps and Valve/maps. The .pts file is 1,164Kb... that seems large to me. Is it possible it's too large to process in HL? The map runs (in full-bright, obviously), but there's just a single line in console that it can't load "mymap.pts". Nothing else is obvious.

Seventh, I'm on my way there to check it out.

Thanks, user, for the link. I've read that before, though, and it doesn't cover my problem. I think I need to head to VERC, probably, because I'm getting the feeling it's a Valve-related issue. Valve (or STEAM) doesn't recognize the .pts file. It's where it's supposed to be. All my other maps' .pts files have loaded up just fine, in the past. When I type "pointfile" in console, it's not the standard "not enough particles" error... it says "Can't load mymap.pts". And that's it. Nothing in any log, no explanations, no nothing.

Finding and fixing leaks I don't have a problem with. This is all about loading the .pts file.

-dev?

Try a previously known-to-work pointfile?

-dev or developer 1 in console doesn't seem to matter...

Previous pointfile - don't have any. I clean up after myself too well. I will probably have to make one, but you're right. That's the only path left to me.

Yeah, even if it doesn't have a leak I get "0 points loaded".

I used to have the "0 points loaded" when I had a leak. Then hazardous! told me of XP-Cagey's compile tools, and now it works fine.

It's not that... I always type "pointfile 20000" and it will say either 0 points loaded or 1 point loaded. If it says 0, then I type "pointfile 50000" and that is usually enough particles to find one leak.

Haven't had time to work on it, and the contest I was gonna enter it in is over, anyway.

Still would like to finish this damn map.

You should run Half-Life with -particles 20000 or so. That might solve the problem, since you shouldn't put your particles after teh pointfile command (afaik, anyways.)

It's always worked in the past. For craps and laughs I set the particles to 60000 in the commandline options, just to see, regardless. Really, it's not a particle problem. There's nothing I've said above that would indicate it. Console returns "Could not load maps/tournament.pts" when I type "pointfile". That is the entire problem and error message. The pointfile function doesn't appear to start because it has no pointfile to work with.

If my pointfile is "too large for notepad to open", is it too large for Halflife to open? I'm going to try to divide the pointfile into two files and see if one that's half the size will work...

I appreciate all the help and I know I sound bitchy, but I'm not trying to be. But the solutions presented don't follow the problem. It's like me asking why my ice cube is melting and everyone saying it's because it's made of water... when it's really melting because it's too warm to stay solid. That's the frustration I'm feeling with this.

I tried to cut the pointfile down from 1,167kb to 13 kb and it still didn't load...

Nah, HL should be able to load it even if it's a huge file. Notepad just can't handle large files. Wordpad, however, can.

Tbh, I have no idea why this could be happening. It seems like everything is setup correctly.

I made a test map and that failed also. Here's a screenshot of the error in console:This map has a leak.

Not sure if the image tags will work....

I uploaded this map and all pertaining files to the problem section of the vault so you all can try it if you'd like. It's a large download, though, because I didn't strip out the files I'm not using... to be honest, I can't remember which ones are used and which ones aren't. I've been working this map for forever. Don't worry about fixing my leaks... just get the pointfile to load and I'll be happy.

Thanks!

Like 7th suggested, try a new way of leak finding, finish teh map then worry about why it wasn't loading, I never use teh pointfile to find a leak anyway, much easier to use the Block or to fly around the outside in hammer and look for leaks.

Leak Marker.... good stuff!

Still not happy my Halflife doesn't work correctly....

Did you ever get the answer to this?
I checked your posts over at Steam, and the staff there were blindingly quick to answer (not!)
I noticed that you were going to check Tommy's...but I couldn't find anything there. Nothing new at Countermap... so

Does anyone else know why this error occurs when entering 'pointfile' in the console running through Steam.

"Can't load mymap.pts".

Given that all the switches are correct and there is a .pts file in the right folder?

Was the map actually called mymap or does Steam always try and load mymap.pts due to some oversight at VALVe? Try 'pointfile <x>.pts'.

No, I am guessing that 'mymap' was a way of saying 'pointfile<x>.pts'

Reason I am interested is that in a recent DoD map, I tried all the old methods and still couldn't find the leak, so thought I would just run up the -particles and have a look. I got the same error, 'Cannot load dod1.pts' even though the .pts was in the right folder.
I read somewhere that the .lin may need to be there also, but that made no difference.
So it can only be the way steam acceses the pointfile, or that they have changed the structure for Hammer 4, and the old one isn't recognised.
Thought I would bump this since the 'waste of space' that is commonly known as Steam Forums doesn't have an answer.

Oh, I found the leak in the end, so the answer is academic, however the old pointfile in game method is quick in complex maps, so it would be nice to know if it still works.

I find that the pointfile is the best way to locate leaks. Better yet, building your map properly also helps.
I can't even remember the last time I had an actual leak (i.e. not caused by an entity sitting in the void). Just be careful when you map.

Yep.. Agree totally,
However when you do get one and revert to the best method of finding them you will find yourself with the same problem.
I guess it is a transition to steam problem, Can you still use the pointfile method in game in HL2?

Yeah, it does.