i wasn't aware that this particular topic had a wrong opinion. we are just bantering idea comparisons about HL1 and HL2.

its very rare that i am wrong about things, care to enlighten me?

scratches a certain Missouri resident off of "to visit" list

i may be mistaken sometimes, but rarely outright wrong.

? quoting parakeet

i find it funny that i can map fine with the hl2 hammer , yet i cant even run reflections in hl2 . Water looks a lot like milk

MILK! mine too! WTF is up with that?

Yus true Renomonkee...

Have a cookie

Obviously, the new tools, fancy effects, higher poly counts..etc, are great. I LOVE being able to really embellish my map with the more subtle details that HL2 allows. I understand why people are reacting to props the way they do (the negative reactions)... they are already being whored out. Look at the steampowered forums, and you will see tons of "NEW MAP!!" threads that showcase such abominations. Now, everyone starts somewhere; god knows my first map was a scary thing to behold....so I'm not really trying to knock the new mappers here. The problem with props, is that it makes it that much harder for new mappers to really expand their creative eye and think about the more subtle, yet important aspects of design; form, efficiency, flow, composition.

Now, I am mainly talking about the visual aspects of mapping here. Working with the somewhat limited abilities of the HL1 engine forced us to pay close attention to the most basic problems: trying to escape 'boxism' and 'doom' texture tiling.

Now, with all the spinkey graphics to throw around, these nuances of design are masked behind accessible, 'precooked' models and effects.. That's where we come in 'us the children of HL1 mapping', and spread these bits of wisdom around. We need to drill into their heads the importance of simple yet bold architecture, solid flowing layouts, dramatic lighting....etc. If these lessons are learned, the detailed props, and fancy water will fall into the right places, instead of becoming the centerpeice for bad maps.

LOL.. i just got it.. i had to go back to my previous reply though.

this is just another one of those "come full circle" topics.

ever once in a while we seem obligated to post our views on what separates the "men from the boys" in mapping quality.

finger nails it again, but his reply is going to be so since anyone whom knows the difference between their ass and a hole in the ground would.

what i find refreshing however, is the fact that it really is still the best advice.

/me once again bows to the masters and their craft.

*whispers*

you are making Missouri look bad, thats at least 3 avatars you have gotten a woody over.

/runs