preparing maps

what do you do to prepare a map???

been done to death :sad:

Well I usually make a quick concept on the layout and then start mapping from there. I add detail to the concept as I go on with the mapping.

A combination of all.

I do a bit of drawing, look at some pics [i.e. for my hogwarts map] and some from the head.

Usually a picture or another game will inspire me and i'll just sit down and map - and hope the results don't turn out s**t.

They usually turn out s**t. :wink:

anythign that i see/do is usefull for my maps, so i do it all out of my head.

I walk around the room talking to myself until i decide what to make :razz: .

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Adam Hawkins</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>Usually a picture or another game will inspire me and i'll just sit down and map - and hope the results don't turn out s**t.

They usually turn out s**t. :wink:

</DIV></DIV>
:eek: But what about pulse and sorrow, they look great!

I ruminate about a general concept (i.e. the setting, the time of the
day) before embarking. Then, I rely on a series of sketches
(mostly done at work, while waiting for patients to show up). I
edit all the sketches, throwing out the ones that won't fit into the
overall theme, and I begin.

But usually I get the best ideas after I started the map. I
compile a rough structure, and I walk around in it. Then I quit
mapping for a bit to allow inspiration to hit me. And it almost
always happen unexpectedly--when I am eating an orange, when I scratch
my back. A random image would pop into my head and a whole new
section of the map would apparate out of nothing, complete with
lighting and sound effect. It's really strange (and I don't smoke
anything, by the way), but I am actually very mentally sound.

Sometimes a map idea would come in a dream. I would wake up at 4 am and implement the image.

I know, I am a freak. But who isn't at the SnarkPit? :wink:

I listen to Video Game Muszak. If it's a good peice of music, I'll see a scene for one of my levels in my head! :smile:

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting satchmo</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>Sometimes a map idea would come in a dream. I would wake up at 4 am and implement the image.
</DIV></DIV>
And you map for 10 hours straight :biggrin: It's a great feeling.

Mine is generally a mix of the first two. I'll come up with an idea for a map, and then make a quick sketch of the layout just to get a feel for scaling, and to find better ways to add new sections/make improvements on timings/weapon layouts etc.

I've never been artistically inclined, but I can always manage to produce a well playing map, I believe. It's a bit of a shame that I am unable to put both aspects of mapping together, but at least I get something right, I suppose.

Map from the head, but when I have an idea whilst not sitting at the computer, I usually draw it.

Where's the "smoke some crack" option?

All of my maps have originated with a single piece of architecture and grown from there. Pre-planned layouts are for sissies.

There is cannabis growing through the cracks in the asphalt in front of my house.

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Andrei</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>There is cannabis growing through the cracks in the asphalt in front of my house. </DIV></DIV>
I wish I lived in romania, I had a friend who went there to do some producing stuff.

I "design" my maps in Duke3d (remember, 8 years ago or whatever, Duke3d?) 'cause you can make say a huge city with all the details in less than a hour. It's also real easy to correct mistakes. AND it allows precise measurements to be made, which makes it even easier to convert to HL.

I make it up as a go along, realise it's a load of garbage, make huge changes, have lunch, come back, make more huge changes, repeat until done. (!)

At the first I'm making a plans (top view + starts areas + eventualy some entites). Next sometimes I'm drawing a pictures of map. Then I'm making a map and adding what is in my head. Thats is all.