i am beginner. i read a lot of articles, downloaded samples but couldn't see a light! compiler gives no errors. but can't see darkness everywhere is daylight! what is the problem?

First off, do away with the tools you have. All the Q(tools).exe files and get Zoner's tools instead. Much better. Find them in the downloads section of this site.

Second, get HLCC to compile your maps. Orpheus made a great tutorial on how to use it.

Finally check you map for any holes that lead to the void. If you have a hole, the compiling process will go very quickly as lighting and shadows are not calculated. This is why the level appears full-bright.

In half-life, type in pointfile 1 into the console and follow the dots, it will take you to your leak.

? quoting G.Ballblue

I still recomened, that if you are very new to mapping, don't use the Zoner's Tools. They do slow, heavey duty compiles, and I would only recomened them to someone who is willing to sit through a 2 hour compile time. Q tools can compile in a couple of minutes

Ballblue, I agree that for a brand new mapper, compiling their 1st rooms/maps in hammer, and with the stock q-tools is perfectly acceptable. HlCC, batch compiles, and various tool versions will only add to the confusion.

But but I wont post bollocks statements like 'zoners tools take 60 times longer to run than q-tools' to try and make my point. Good grief, do you have any idea how ridiculous that is?