NEW TOOLS

Greetings,

It took me some time to figure out how to even start a new map with the new CounterStrike 2 level making tools. They are quite different to what we have been used to for so long.

I have started to watch Youtube Videos to figure it out, so I can utilize them. This would be a great time for those of you who know these tools better to help share some advice and tips with the rest of us. Give the Snark Pit new life with tutorials and such.

Hey G4MER! Long time no see! Feels like it's been ages, good to see you're still coming back to visit this place

I'm afraid I won't be of much help. I would be interested in learning about the new tools, but at the same time I don't see myself making an entire map as I only play on the official servers.

If, in the future, I do get myself to work with the new tools, I'll definitely share my knowledge here!

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Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nibgames

Long time fellas!

I've just visited the site reflexively after seeing the commotion on Steam about Half-Life's 25th birthday, the special deals and the documentary! Looks like it hasn't brought too many people back here to discuss.

In response to CS2, it seems to be using tools very similar to Alyx, though somewhat more complete than what was given to us for Alyx. I spent some, oh let's say 600 hours, the majority of which was probably rendering times, in the editor. I created my old home in Europe, and got a decent amount of work done. Unfortunately, a stupid mistake led me to lose about 10-20h of work when my SSD got wiped on the laptop, and it kind of brought my motivation down. Here's a few images, a mix of in-game and in-editor screenshots. As for how I learned to do it.. I'd say a combination of multiple things:

• The Developer Community page on Valve's page
• Tutorial maps within the Alyx folder
• A little bit of flying around the official Alyx maps to see how they did things
• YouTube: a few cool intro videos by "Hosomi", and then later, much more in depth tutorials by "Eagle One Development Team", who are now releasing tutorials for CS2 as well. Huge shoutout to that channel, as it helped me get over a lot of my initial questions like "wth am I even doing here, is this completely wrong?"

If I ever get motivation back, I'd like to pretend to make some stuff for CS2 as well.

Happy Half-Life-ing!

Welcome back Dedi!

Thanks for posting your first CS2 map; it's looking extremely detailed! I'm not sure what part of that is the plethora of content available in the tools, or the ease at which the tools make it to place models and content and run them quickly.

Based on your insight, I'd say learning to map for Source 2 isn't all that different than when learning to map for Source 1 except now, it's far far easier for people to post text-searchable video tutorials which I imagine, like most complex software tools will be a quick advantage helping new users to pick it up quickly. That and of course, AI answers to quick obscure questions.

I'm loving your use of curtains in that living room shot, and the attic reminds of something from cs_militia's attic area. But what impresses me the most is the superb lighting! The beauty of the new engine is surely how well it can dress up an area with the right skill.

I'd say like most homes, your house might make for a fantastic CS2 level! I'd be interested in checking out your progress as you move along. Thus is the season for all things half-life, now that the holidays are upon us.

It'd be fun to hear about your experience learning the new tools too! After over a decade, you might even get me back into mapping. I've been getting inspired watching that new Half-Life documentary.

Rooting for yours and anyone else's mapping progress!

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Blog: www.playingarchitecture.net
LinkedIn: Eric Lancon
Twitter:@Riven202

MY Gawd man ( Dedi ) that is wonderful, I have been a bit afraid of the new tools to be honest. But one of these days I have to just soldier up and try them out. But I have to say seeing these images of yours, I am inspired to give them a try.