making hl2 single player maps

how do you make a level for hl2? do you just run your level in hl2 from the console? i cant even get hammer to see a hl2 game type, just mymod hl2dm and cs source. i really want to make a level with a crowbar, headcrabs, and stuff like that in it. could someone just give me a quick outline of how to make this happen? even a link that is relavent. if you know anything at all, plz share.

I'm not sure how much help you really need so I'll just put all that I know.

To conifigure, use the Halflife2.fgd provided, halflife2 materials, half-life2 maptype etc

game executable should be ...\steamapps\<username>\half-life 2

game directory should be ...\steamapps\<username>\half-life 2\hl2

maps directory should be ...\steamapps\<username>\half-life 2\hl2\maps

for the build programs just use the appropriate ones in the bin folder in sourcesdk

In order to play a map you've created in HL2 just go to compile, check/select the box that says 'dont start game after compile' and then compile it. You can then go start HL2 open the console (to enable console go to advanced keyboard options) and type 'map <mapname>' (obviously don't put the <> beside your mapname)

The only elements, to the best of my knowledge that you need that may differ are the info_player_start

Er ... okay.

Anyway, If you goto Steam -> Source SDK, there should be a drop box at the bottom of the SDK window that says, "Current Game", select "Half-Life 2". If that option isn't available, perhaps you haven't restarted steam in awhile or there is some other issue or bug. But, that's where the option should be.

The reason why it's like this is because Hammer will load the GCF information from the game you select (Textures, models, blah blah, from inside the GCF file for whatever source game you choose).

I think this is a simple case of "how do I make my first level?".

Its simple have a box room made by solids (brushes) and place an
info_playerstart. Then add a light so you get realistic lighing in you
"box" and add anything else, such as weapon_crowbar then
add an npc_headcrab, and hit run. You will need to find out where
hammer saved the bsp and copy it to your
\steamapps\<username>\half-life 2\hl2\maps folder. Then run the
game and bring down the console and type "map <mapname>" without
the quotes.

ah, i know how to make levels, as ive made several for cssource, but wanst sure as to if they worked in hl2 or not. ive been to lazy making them to bother trying them in hl2, as it takes so friggin long to load.

in the source sdk main window thing, i dont have hl2 single player as an option. only mymod, cssource and hl2dm. i want the stuff from hl2, (crowbar, headcrab etc.) but i cant find anything like that. i cant even find npc_citizen. what do i do??