How to start
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Re: How to start
Posted by coldbeer on Thu Nov 11th at 3:18am 2004


Hi,
I am a noob. I have never made a map but have great interest in making one. Besides the tutorials here is there any other useful info that is good for a beginner?
Thanks




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Re: How to start
Posted by Jinx on Thu Nov 11th at 4:44am 2004


Lots of patience

No. Seriously. Learning curve is very steep at first, you gotta stick with it.





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Re: How to start
Posted by Cassius on Thu Nov 11th at 5:19am 2004


Wait until you feel that your map can rank up with the general standard of what a good map is before you release. This is invaluable. [addsig]



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Re: How to start
Posted by Tracer Bullet on Thu Nov 11th at 6:27am 2004


I agree with Cass. Sweating through the tutorials on your own for a while teaches you far more than posting a question in the editing forum every time you hit a snag. We are here to help, but we aren't going to hold your hand. I assume you are going for HL2 right off the bat? I don't know how many n00b tuts there are out there for it, but rest assured that much of what is already available for HL1 is still valid for HL2. [addsig]



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Re: How to start
Posted by KungFuSquirrel on Thu Nov 11th at 6:37am 2004


Never be afraid to toss out everything you've done on a map and start over. Obviously you need to also know when to say enough is enough and finish it, but especially as you're learning, you'll be able to do things much better the second, third, fourth time around.

Also, note things you like about other maps for any game. Think about ways you can incorporate similar ideas into your own work. This will really expand your horizons. [addsig]




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Re: How to start
Posted by Jinx on Thu Nov 11th at 6:41am 2004


? quoting Cassius
Wait until you feel that your map can rank up with the general standard of what a good map is before you release. This is invaluable.

In line with this, I usually recommend you keep your first map fairly small and simple, something you can accomplish with only the most basic mapping skills. That way you get the satisfaction of finishing something a little earlier on. Regardless, your first map(s) will probably suck, assuming you actually finish them, since you will make a ton of mistakes while learning. And don't expect to have anything remotely playable for at least a couple months.

Luckily when you start off just making a box with a light in it is quite a thrill





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Re: How to start
Posted by fraggard on Thu Nov 11th at 6:44am 2004


Learn to take criticism. 90% of the time, when you're new, the most common feedback you'll recieve on various forums is "this map sucks". 90% of the time, when you're new, it's true. Luckily over here, you also get some suggestions and tips on how to improve your levels. Listen well and learn well:)





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Re: How to start
Posted by $loth on Thu Nov 11th at 8:34am 2004


Just 1 point, make sure that if you feel that an area in the map is not great then take your time to see what could make a difference, like they said, go through the tuts and use them to the full extent which they could in your map.

Oh and welcome, have a beer.

[addsig]




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Re: How to start
Posted by omegaslayer on Thu Nov 11th at 9:06pm 2004


Has anyone noticed there are a rash breakout of noobs to mapping since CSS was released?

/my 2 cents

[addsig]




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Re: How to start
Posted by Leperous on Thu Nov 11th at 9:21pm 2004


Well, seeing as map making is now much harder than it used to be, it's going to be fun (and good for this site's traffic! Huzzah!)



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Re: How to start
Posted by Yak_Fighter on Thu Nov 11th at 9:35pm 2004


sweet, i can't wait for the site to go down more often!



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Re: How to start
Posted by Leperous on Thu Nov 11th at 9:39pm 2004


Hush young Yak, I have triple the bandwidth now than I did a few months ago. And as I keep saying, it's those damn competitions you make me have that kills it



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Re: How to start
Posted by $loth on Thu Nov 11th at 9:40pm 2004


? quoting Leperous
Hush young Yak, I have triple the bandwidth now than I did a few months ago. And as I keep saying, it's those damn competitions you make me have that kills it

Triple the noobs

[addsig]




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Re: How to start
Posted by Campaignjunkie on Thu Nov 11th at 9:48pm 2004


Don't start too many projects, or you won't get anything done. Once you feel you're ready and have some nice looking maps, consider joining a mod that has mappers at a skill level equal to or higher than yourself - you'll improve a lot faster, have a lot of fun, and probably make some friends in the process as well. Most of all, remember that this is just a hobby.
[addsig]




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Re: How to start
Posted by $loth on Thu Nov 11th at 10:20pm 2004


? quoting Campaignjunkie
remember that this is just a hobby.

Unless your KFS.

[addsig]




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Re: How to start
Posted by G.Ballblue on Thu Nov 11th at 11:22pm 2004


Do lots of mapping, even if 90% of them stink or look bad -- mine did. Practice makes perfect. [addsig]



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Re: How to start
Posted by Crono on Fri Nov 12th at 12:07am 2004


No, perfect practice makes perfect. Normal practice makes you mediocre. This goes for just about anything. [addsig]



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Re: How to start
Posted by ReNo on Fri Nov 12th at 12:34am 2004


You'd argue absolutely anything
[addsig]




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Re: How to start
Posted by Crono on Fri Nov 12th at 1:31am 2004


That isn't true [addsig]



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Re: How to start
Posted by G.Ballblue on Fri Nov 12th at 3:03am 2004


@#$% [addsig]




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