Powered by Invision Power Board [ Resend Validation Email ]
Welcome Guest [ Log In · Register ]
Forum Rules HelpSearchMembersCalendar


Pages: 12  [ Go to first unread post ]
Closed TopicStart new topicStart Poll
[ Track this topic · Email this topic · Print this topic ]
> Immoral's Mapping guide and FAQ, Read this before asking questions!
Immoral Sniper
Posted: December 20, 2004 02:40 pm
Quote Post


The force is strong in me
Group Icon

Group: BB Betatesters
Posts: 1177

Joined: December 10, 2004



I. Starting to Map
First, before you go tearing off to start on your BB map, you need a few things.

1. Valve's Hammer Editor v3.4 or v3.5 beta (v3.5 beta requires v3.4 to be installed first)
Note: You can not use the Hammer Editor (v 4.0 I believe) that is packaged with STEAM
2. The brainbread .FGD file
3. It is the recommendation of this mapper to use Zoner's Half Life Tools (ZHLT)

Once you have all of that, it is time to start up Hammer! But you can't map yet, we have to configure Hammer's and BB's settings.

Here is a link to an already written tutorial for that matter. Just replace the mod directory with BB's.

Once you have all that set up, you are ready to map, there are hundreds if not thousands of tutorials and hints, google is a valuable asset in finding them.

Also MAKE SURE to READ the "BRAINBREAD FGD AND HOW TO CREATE MAPS TUTORIAL" for specific information on some of BB's entities.

II. Important Sizes

Ground Obstacle Height
This is the maximum height, in units, an object can be while still allowing the player to walk over it.

crouched: 18
standing: 18

Overhead Obstacle Height
This is the minimum distance, in units, that can be between the ground and an object while still allowing the player to pass underneath.

crouched: 37
standing: 73

Minimum Path Width
This is the minimum width, in units, that can be between two objects while still allowing the player to pass between them.

width: 33

Jump Height
This is the maximum height, in units, an object can be while still allowing the player to jump on top of it.

crouched: 44
walking: 44
running crouch-jump: 62

Thanks to reinhardt for providing this list.

III. Mapping FAQ

As I get more questions I will add to this list!

Q: What is an .FGD file
A: It is a file (readible in notepad) that contains all the information about the entities BB uses.

Q: What is a .WAD file
A: It is a file that contains textures for use in your maps, I recommend a program called Wally if you want to make/alter .WAD files.
- Link to Wally

Q: Why is my map dark?
A: You need "light" entities in order for there to be light on your level

Q: What are light_environments then?
A: They are a special type of light that causes sky brushes (brushes with the sky texture on all sides) to emit light.

Q: But I have light_environments!
A: Unless you are using ZHLT, you need light_enviroments whereever you need light emmited from the sky, however with ZHLT, you need only 1 light_environment.

Q: ZHLT?
A: Zoner's Half Life Tools

Q: How do I get models to show in game
A: Use an entity called "cycler" there is a keyvalue, or field, that lets you select the necessary model.

Q: My multisource entity didn't work!
A: The BB team has yet to fix the multisource entity, make do until they do.

Q: How do I make a .bsp file?
A: You compile your map (which is an .rmf file) There is a button on Hammer's toolbar and F9 is the shortcut key

Q: My zombies don't spawn!
A: Make sure:
- Monster to Spawn is "monster_zombie"
- Number of Monsters is "-1" (if infinite) or greater than 0 (if finite)
- Min and Max respawn times are not obscenely high
- Max live children is greater than 0

Q: Why don't I spawn?
A: Make sure you have bb_spawn_player entities included in your level

Q: Why do my textures have that ugly blue/black on them, I want to see through them!
A: To Fix:
1. Turn them into
- a. func_illusionary (you want people to walk and shots to pass through them)
- b. func_wall (you want to block the player and shots)
- c. func_illusionary with a clip box covering it (block players, but able to shoot through)
2. Set "Render Mode" to "Texture"
3. Set "FX Amount" to "255"
4. Set "FX Color" to
- a. "0 0 255" for textures with blue
- b. "0 0 0" for textures with black

Q: Why are my map models not solid? I can walk right through them!
A: Map models are not solid, you have to clip them with a brush textured with "clip" in order to prevent player movement.

Q: What is a "clip box"?
A: A clip box is a brush covered entirely in the texture "clip" availble in zhlt.wad. It is invisible in game but block players from entering it, but you can still shoot through it.

Q: What is the revolver's weapon name? It isn't listed with the rest of the weapons!
A: weapon_44sw

Q: How do I set the light and make it darker/brighter for my map?
A: Go into the light's properties, (Alt + Enter is the shortcut in Hammer)
- Click on "Brightness"
- You will see 4 numbers, the last of the four is the brightness value
- The first three are the light's color in RGB Value (Red Green Blue)

Q: How do I make ladders?
A: Put the ladder you want the player to see in, then add another brush (textured with aaatrigger for claritity usually) and turn it into a "func_ladder"
- Note that zombies can not use ladders when placing them in your level and as such, should be avoided when possible, unless you want an area COMPLETELY safe from zombies (of course, you can always put zombies on the top end of the ladder, but they tend to teleport on the player and that's never fun...)

IV: Compile Errors
Chances are that why and/or how to fix your error are listed on this site.

V: Immoral's Simple, Personal Tips for Building a Better Map
- Don't use the hollow tool... just don't
- Use the 'null' texture (from the zhlt.wad that comes with ZHLT) on faces that players will never see
- Only use carve when absolutely required
- Keep in mind the skill level of an average player when placing weapons / health / zombies



--------------------
BB Maps I've made...
bb_stronghold {Beta 9}
bb_shootingrange {Beta 1}

Threads you should read before posting...
Immoral's List of Things Not to Suggest
Immoral's Mapping Guide

Forum Spammers
Name (Number of spamming citations issued)

Nikku (3), -KRUX- (2), Mitchell (2), hunter (2), Gneralas (2), CHAY (2), vyvu (2), Rustie1821 (1), w00t (1), dagny (1), Nandu666 (1), The.Raver(1), moecomputer (1), -=Jouni=- (1), santa_kills (1), DarknessGlams (1)
PMEmail PosterUsers WebsiteAOL
Top
bloodangel
Posted: December 22, 2004 09:42 pm
Quote Post


Rotten Meat


Group: Members
Posts: 5

Joined: December 22, 2004



I added and did every thing it says to and when i go to load my map i get an error that says The system cannot fing the file specified.
How can i fix this


--------------------
And when the world finaly comes to and end. He'll simply laugh and smile. For he would take such comfort in knowing. That there would be no tomorrow
PMEmail PosterAOL
Top
Immoral Sniper
Posted: December 22, 2004 10:16 pm
Quote Post


The force is strong in me
Group Icon

Group: BB Betatesters
Posts: 1177

Joined: December 10, 2004



Check the "Don't run the game" box on the compile options menu

Chances are there was an error in compiling the .bsp file, so the .bsp file was never created (which is why bb can't find it). Also check your <mapname>.log file, the error should be listed in there.

If this isn't the problem, then I don't know what is because I don't have enough information, does it just say "The system cannot fing the file specified" or does it also give the filename, which, if so, what is the filename?


--------------------
BB Maps I've made...
bb_stronghold {Beta 9}
bb_shootingrange {Beta 1}

Threads you should read before posting...
Immoral's List of Things Not to Suggest
Immoral's Mapping Guide

Forum Spammers
Name (Number of spamming citations issued)

Nikku (3), -KRUX- (2), Mitchell (2), hunter (2), Gneralas (2), CHAY (2), vyvu (2), Rustie1821 (1), w00t (1), dagny (1), Nandu666 (1), The.Raver(1), moecomputer (1), -=Jouni=- (1), santa_kills (1), DarknessGlams (1)
PMEmail PosterUsers WebsiteAOL
Top
reinhardt
Posted: December 23, 2004 08:19 am
Quote Post


Zombie Hunter
***

Group: Members
Posts: 130

Joined: December 04, 2004



The VERC
VERC
This is worth referencing the most. Plus the VERC HL1 Mapping Forum.

QUOTE (bloodangel @ Dec 22 2004, 09:42 PM)
I added and did every thing it says to and when i go to load my map i get an error that says  The system cannot fing the file specified.
How can i fix this

Run Bug?
I'm not 100% sure about this. It could just be my setup. But when i first setup Hammer i had alot of problems and in the end i fixed one of THE most annoying things like this:

This screenshot is of my Run dialog. Notice the selected line and the line below (Make sure you have "Advanced" and not "Normal" selected to get this screen from the run dialog):
user posted image

Your Run dialog by default will have these 2 lines like this:
Copy File $path/$file.bsp $bspdir/$file.bsp
Copy File $path/$file.pts $bspdir/$file.pts

The 2 lines i want you to look at are these:
Copy File $path/$file.bsp $path/$file.bsp
Copy File $path/$file.pts $path/$file.pts

I know it looks weird and in theory the default should work logically. But for some reason because the build files are not together the compile proccess could never compile another bsp straight into ..brainbread/maps/ dir.
Anyway this solved it.

NOTE: Also worth a mention is when you do a final compile use the command parameters -full and -extra for vis and rad like this:
$vis_exe $path\file -full
$light_exe $path\file -extra

This will create extra bsp vis leaves and divide them up more efficiently.

Official BrainBread .wad
Another thing i though worth the mention is the Download available of the official Brainbread wad file.
Beware when you download this that you download this to your
.../brainbread/
dir, and not to another dir only. Because otherwise you may get error messages from BB when it loads. Easily solved by moving the file to .../brainbread/ dir or copying the file there creating 2 instances of it.

Useful tib-bits
Creating custom sound files to play in your maps. Make sure they adhere to the following requirments:
All wav files to be used as ambient_generics in HL must be in the following format: <= 22050 Hz, mono-unsigned.

The Revolver bb_equipment entity name to use is:
weapon_44sw


Thats all for now ill post anything else i see fit here as i remember them smile.gif hope this helps.



--------------------
user posted image

Projects

bb_nighthouse (beta)
lms_nighthouse (alpha)
PMEmail Poster
Top
Immoral Sniper
Posted: December 23, 2004 04:50 pm
Quote Post


The force is strong in me
Group Icon

Group: BB Betatesters
Posts: 1177

Joined: December 10, 2004



I didn't even think of sending him to the Advance compile setup (forgot that some don't use it...)

Anyways, you can have the .wad files where ever you want them IF you use the -nowadtextures command, it saves you from having to put all your custom textures into a seperate .wad and including it.

Make sure you check the "Use Long filenames" box for all of them... I had a problem with that for a whiles...

As for sounds, with STEAM, I am pretty sure you can also play MP3 files. Have to confirm this though.

Regardless of the above, I think you got his problem fixed.


--------------------
BB Maps I've made...
bb_stronghold {Beta 9}
bb_shootingrange {Beta 1}

Threads you should read before posting...
Immoral's List of Things Not to Suggest
Immoral's Mapping Guide

Forum Spammers
Name (Number of spamming citations issued)

Nikku (3), -KRUX- (2), Mitchell (2), hunter (2), Gneralas (2), CHAY (2), vyvu (2), Rustie1821 (1), w00t (1), dagny (1), Nandu666 (1), The.Raver(1), moecomputer (1), -=Jouni=- (1), santa_kills (1), DarknessGlams (1)
PMEmail PosterUsers WebsiteAOL
Top
moecomputer
Posted: December 23, 2004 06:02 pm
Quote Post


Zombie Hunter
***

Group: Members
Posts: 120

Joined: December 23, 2004



It wont let me download the .FGD file!!! This what it says.

Access forbidden!
You don't have permission to access the requested object. It is either read-protected or not readable by the server.

If you think this is a server error, please contact the webmaster.

Error 403




--------------------
BB screen name: KillerMoe35
PMEmail Poster
Top
Immoral Sniper
Posted: December 23, 2004 06:10 pm
Quote Post


The force is strong in me
Group Icon

Group: BB Betatesters
Posts: 1177

Joined: December 10, 2004



That means the server is temporally down, try again in an hour or so.

That happened to the forums a day or two ago.


--------------------
BB Maps I've made...
bb_stronghold {Beta 9}
bb_shootingrange {Beta 1}

Threads you should read before posting...
Immoral's List of Things Not to Suggest
Immoral's Mapping Guide

Forum Spammers
Name (Number of spamming citations issued)

Nikku (3), -KRUX- (2), Mitchell (2), hunter (2), Gneralas (2), CHAY (2), vyvu (2), Rustie1821 (1), w00t (1), dagny (1), Nandu666 (1), The.Raver(1), moecomputer (1), -=Jouni=- (1), santa_kills (1), DarknessGlams (1)
PMEmail PosterUsers WebsiteAOL
Top
moecomputer
Posted: December 23, 2004 10:40 pm
Quote Post


Zombie Hunter
***

Group: Members
Posts: 120

Joined: December 23, 2004



It still doesn't work!!!


--------------------
BB screen name: KillerMoe35
PMEmail Poster
Top
Zuwahmbi
Posted: December 24, 2004 12:46 am
Quote Post


Experienced Killer
**

Group: Members
Posts: 60

Joined: December 01, 2004



I just had one little question... When I'm setting up the directories, I can only get the game to run if I set the directories to the Half-Life installation folder "C:/SIERRA/Half-Life". This also goes for sound files (I can only get them to play if they're in the "Valve/sounds" directory.) Is there some way to set up the compile so that I can use sounds/textures/maps from the BrainBread directory instead of the Valve directory? Also, is there a special way to test the maps in BrainBread directly instead of through Half-Life?
PMEmail Poster
Top
Shotgun
Posted: December 28, 2004 07:51 am
Quote Post


Zombie Hunter
***

Group: Members
Posts: 196

Joined: December 09, 2004



Don't use the standard compiler in VHE it sucks SO much! Use a batch compiler, its MUCH faster and it does so much more.

For example:
user posted image


--------------------
user posted image
PM
Top
reinhardt
Posted: December 29, 2004 02:18 pm
Quote Post


Zombie Hunter
***

Group: Members
Posts: 130

Joined: December 04, 2004



QUOTE (Shotgun @ Dec 28 2004, 07:51 AM)
Don't use the standard compiler in VHE it sucks SO much! Use a batch compiler, its MUCH faster and it does so much more.

Actually they are the same speed and u can customize the VHE dialog to do almost anything. The only advantage gained with Nem's is a nicer interface, i do recommend it though because it is easier to setup.



--------------------
user posted image

Projects

bb_nighthouse (beta)
lms_nighthouse (alpha)
PMEmail Poster
Top
Shotgun
Posted: December 30, 2004 07:15 am
Quote Post


Zombie Hunter
***

Group: Members
Posts: 196

Joined: December 09, 2004



They are NOT the same speed! Here's a quote from Tracer Bullet over at the snark pit:

"So if they all do the same thing why is one way better than another? The answer is resources and neatness. In order to run Hammer/HLCC/ZHLT-GUI, your computer has to allocate memory for the interface that could be better spent speeding up the compile. Compiling in Hammer is particularly bad because it not only uses up a lot of RAM, it also locks up the editor. Compiling from a DOS window is very resource efficient."

Link to article

Also the only advantage gained with Nem's is not just because it has a nicer interface blink.gif It allows you to fix a lot of problems with standard compiling with HLfix, you can change entities only without having to ENTIRELY recompile your map, you can run BSP just enough to only find leaks, you can change max node size to make a faster and more accurate VIS, you can change the maximum visable distance size which helps A LOT if you make large open maps, you can change the size of texture and lighting data if you use a lot of high def textures and lights, you can manually set input files to use so you can specify where your files are, it will auto backup your maps, you can specify wadincludes much easier so you don't have to include wads with your distribution, and that's only SOME of the reasons why you should use the batch compiler.


--------------------
user posted image
PM
Top
reinhardt
Posted: December 30, 2004 07:46 pm
Quote Post


Zombie Hunter
***

Group: Members
Posts: 130

Joined: December 04, 2004



Yes, Nem's uses 1 less process, it doesnt have to run VHE, but the speed of the compiler is the same, that was my point before (They both use the same tools to compile by).


QUOTE (Shotgun @ Dec 30 2004, 07:15 AM)
It allows you to fix a lot of problems with standard compiling with HLfix, you can change entities only without having to ENTIRELY recompile your map, you can run BSP just enough to only find leaks, you can change max node size to make a faster and more accurate VIS, you can change the maximum visable distance size which helps A LOT if you make large open maps, you can change the size of texture and lighting data if you use a lot of high def textures and lights, you can manually set input files to use so you can specify where your files are, it will auto backup your maps, you can specify wadincludes much easier so you don't have to include wads with your distribution, and that's only SOME of the reasons why you should use the batch compiler.

My point before was VHE compiler can do all these things, what you gain with the Nems batch compiler is an interface to help you set these things up.


--------------------
user posted image

Projects

bb_nighthouse (beta)
lms_nighthouse (alpha)
PMEmail Poster
Top
Shotgun
Posted: December 30, 2004 11:28 pm
Quote Post


Zombie Hunter
***

Group: Members
Posts: 196

Joined: December 09, 2004



All the things I posted CANNOT be done with the VHE compiler, they are not coded in. Nem's tools has new code, it is not simply a gui, they are tools you can use to manipulate how your map is compiled. For instance, tell me how you can use HLfix in VHE? Don't say to add the parameter -hlfix because it can not be called by hlbsp.exe, hlcsg.exe, hlvis.exe, or hlrad.exe They also do not use the same tools to compile by, it has additional tools and it uses zoner's half life tools modified by Merl with new coding.



--------------------
user posted image
PM
Top
reinhardt
Posted: December 31, 2004 01:54 am
Quote Post


Zombie Hunter
***

Group: Members
Posts: 130

Joined: December 04, 2004



QUOTE (Shotgun @ Dec 30 2004, 11:28 PM)
All the things I posted CANNOT be done with the VHE compiler, they are not coded in.

Everything to compile a map can be done with the VHE, most ppl write it off without looking into this. The extra programs you talk about do not add anything to a map from what i know. They are just used to debug a map.


--------------------
user posted image

Projects

bb_nighthouse (beta)
lms_nighthouse (alpha)
PMEmail Poster
Top
Pages: 12
Topic Options Closed TopicStart new topicStart Poll