Warehouse

Looks better and better each day!

However, I do have a few suggestions:

1. The texture on the floor of the loading dock area looks
repetitive. Browse around to see whether you can find a better
tiling replacement.

2. The stairs, like Crono said, can be improved in the reception
area. In addtion, the stairs really don't lead anywhere except a
soda machine. In real life, people usually don't go through all
the trouble of building a staircase just so they can have a loft solely
for some refreshment. Perhaps you can make a door leading to a
meeting room or observation deck?

3. Did you build a 3D skybox? The area outside of the map looks
barren, as if nothing else exists outside the complex. Consider
adding some buildings to the 3D skybox, if you have one already.

4. The cars in the parking lot are all facing outward. This
usually isn't the case in the real world, as it's easier to drive into
a parking space rather than backing into one. I know there are
some people who prefer backing into their parking, but I believe they
are the minority.

5. How about some support inside the warehouse? Just a few here and there will do.

6. Perhaps you can disable texture lighting on some random lights
outside the warehouse to make the area dimmer? It fits into the
current global economy better (most companies are still struggling with
the recession, therefore suggesting a lack of maintenance).

Overall, your map is looking good.

The soda machines are up there because they're part of the union's exercise option ...

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Crono</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>The soda machines are up there because they're part of the union's exercise option ... </DIV></DIV>

Oi Cheeky! :razz:

In fact Satchmo hit the nail on the head, theres a meeting room behind the wall adjacent to the stairs, im planning on a huge table with lots of chairs, you know the kind! Trouble is I oversized it a little! although I need some more 'normal stairs' on the other side.

I plan on making some of the lights outside Flicker or spark or not work at all.

Ok some other great points too which ill take into account. I havent tried my hand at a 3D skybox yet but i might give it a shot!
oh yeah, I promise ill fix those stairs!! :biggrin:

It'd really blow ass to carry a table up those stairs. Is there going to be another way in to the conference room?

Yeah there will be a 'normal' staff type stairwell at the other end :biggrin:

Why do all these new HL2 maps still look like maps on the older engine? No offence to you but those textures look like crap. I don't even see any with bump mapping?

No offence taken, I find the texturing quite painful to be honest, having to split down brushes to get a decent amount of detail in What is bump mapping?

PS this is my first ever map so im still learning how things work.

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Ok ive done so work on the skybox -









And also reworked the stairs -

Wow! That 3d skybox has added so much depth to your map! I can't believe how much a simple background can make your map look so much better. It's really well done. I like those stairs better than the spiral ones aswell.

Excellent work, can't wait to see the final version :biggrin: How much would you say is complete by the way?

The actual structural work is about 90% complete, its mainly just a matter of detail now, which of course is even more time consuming!

Would still like someone to come take a look round with me to see what they think:D

OMG THAT SKYBOX LOOKS AMAZING!!!

How the heck did you get that level of details its fantastic!

the stairs look better too.

Congrats dude, it look brilliant so far.

If you look hard enough theres a whole host of Mini models to use in 3D skyboxes. So I didnt have to do much except choose some suitable ones:D

I like the stairs now, but...

The glass windows of the reception room are curved. Usually, the
junction of the curvature should have some sort of metal support (like
the thin black support going horizontally). Actual curved glasses
are expensive to make (not for the engine to render, but expensive in
the real world, thereby making them rare).

And I don't think the texture is bad at all. I think they're quite appropriate (and believable) for the setting.

The skybox does indeed look good, but when you walk around the buildings will move with you, which will be awkward considering their apparent short distance from the map itself.

It shouldn't do that cass, 3D skyboxes stay in fixed locations. They
take a small piece of brushwork and scale it up to create the illusion
of scale even though the area taken up in the level is actually very
small. If you look at maps like de_aztec, many of the upper floors of
the buildings are actually part of the 3D skybox and yet they remain in
position at all times.

Reno is right, the buildings stay fixed in place so when you move they scale to wherever you are. Unless like one attempt i put one too close to the skycam and it got bigger and bigger the closer I got to it but it was still outside the map...was freaky... like an invasion of balloon buildings!!

Satchmo im gonna slap you...grumble glass grumble.......

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Just for you Satchmo!





and heres my 3D skybox-

/me got slapped, leaving a red handprint across his cheek.

Ouch! But didn't you find the suggestion helpful? Don't the windows look much better and credible now?

Anyways, I like where your map is going. I just bought HL2
yesterday and I've started mapping already (I only finished about an
hour worth of the game so far). I made my first (obligatory) box
map in Source, just to get the kinks out of the compilation process.

hehe, good luck with the mapping I hope you stick with it as its very rewarding. Anything I can help with just ask! I cant wait to start picking on your maps :biggrin:

I just figured out something that I think you guys will love, if it works! Update in 25mins after the compile! :biggrin:

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Ok lets see what you think!







:biggrin:

The lighting is nice, though the big empty concrete pad of a loading area just feels too empty to me - Add some garbage scattered around, maybe a few skidmark/trash decals, etc. - Just make it have a bit more detailing.

Looking pretty good, though.

Yeah Monkey I plan on a little petrol pump hut, parking barriers and some decal bits and pieces.

Overlays - don't you touch that decal tool :razz: Map is looking pretty
good man, this is exceptional work for somebody of your experience
level!

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting ReNo</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>It shouldn't do that cass, 3D skyboxes stay in fixed locations.</DIV></DIV>
That's just the problem. I think it'd be equivalent to having things close to the camera in an HL1 map.

It works fine Cass, or as far as I can tell!:)

I need some major help to optimize the map. Portals, hintbrushes etc etc. If anybody can help gimme a shout.

How's the map progressing? You haven't updated the map for more
than two weeks? Is everything okay? Are you okay (or just
busy with the holiday stuff)?

williamnicholls@hotmail.com (msn name , well talk :biggrin: )

Hi guys, havent posted for a while due to the holidays and ive now also joined a mod team so this map has been put on the back burner for now! Check out our homepage http://www.city13mod.com/ gallery for my latest WIP pics and also here are some of my early stages http://photobucket.com/albums/v608/NightWolf70/. Photobucket locked my account cus it had so many outside viewings and used up too much bandwith! :biggrin: So all my latest pics are on the mod site.

If anyone is SERIOUSLY interested in finishing off the warehouse map then contact me on nightwolf70 at hotmail.com .