Newbie Opinion on Mapping

deadman_walking · Post by **deadman_walking** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 12:16 am

Was wondering............

Do any of you experienced mappers have any completed maps that you could write step by step instructions for? Personally, I think I would learn faster that way rather than trial and error, start, stop, delete, restart, read tuts, ask help, ect. ect, ect.

Yarik · Post by **Yarik** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 12:56 am

Well making a tut step y step will take someone probably as long as to write a novel (non fiction). But if there is a problem you dont understand we are glad to help you thats why were all here. Any specific questions?

deadman_walking · Post by **deadman_walking** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 1:11 am

No specific questions, I just wish I could be a fly on the wall from start to finish to see how an experienced mapper starts, builds, finishes. Going step by step would be like a full immersion tutorial. Wouldn't have to be a big map, just a small one that would include the basic room, door, window, sky, ground, and texturing. Would be nice to see an experienced mappers approach.

Post by **Bjarne BZR** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 2:59 am

Well, I have something close to that on my site: a simple tutorial made up out of constructing a saw mill from the base up...
Hope it helps

Butch · Post by **Butch** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 8:19 am

bjarne, I downloaded your prefab, it was excellent, but I think you have used blank_lightmap caulk instead of caulk caulk in which case you will get caulk lines (as gen.cobra did)

mohaa_rox · Post by **mohaa_rox** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 10:06 am

That would be applying too much presser on us.

Post by **Bjarne BZR** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 11:20 am

Well Butch, you are probably right... that saw-mill was my first ever work in radiant

mapy I should clarify that in the tutorial...

Nah... I'm bored. maby I'll just reload them, go down memory lane and fix the buggers

Ohh, and thanx 8)

Ace of Spades · Post by **Ace of Spades** » Sun Feb 23, 2003 7:52 am

Hey Guys!

Well, I have felt the same way you have deadman_walking about a tut on building a map from scratch with all of the stuff that goes into building one but find that I learned more by trial and error and by asking stupid questions here in the forum. I have to say, i've been on other forums and you can't beat this one. You can ask the stupid questions

and nobody looks at you as the idiot, just the inexperienced mapper (which I am) and gladly gives you a few things or many to help you out. I'm dreading the day when I have to start scripting 'cuz i'm not a programmer and I just don't get it but I'm sure I will have to learn it someday.

It just looks like a bunch of mumbo jumbo to me. And as far as I can see, there will not be a tut on all our scripting needs 'cuz there is just too much to learn about it. Yes, mapping is like a novel and I've only read the table of contents. Can't wait to get to the first chapter. Maybe by then, I can get some cool reviews on some of the many maps that I've started and fouled up on one way or the other. Either way, I'm learning to be patient and ask dumb questions, and to read, read, read, and read some more. You're in the right place, man. Keep up with the questions and the answers will come faster than you can hit the 'submit' button.

Ace

8)

mohaa_rox · Post by **mohaa_rox** » Sun Feb 23, 2003 9:23 am

I talked to Surg about that. The step by step map tutorial.

deadman_walking · Post by **deadman_walking** » Sun Feb 23, 2003 4:59 pm

I am reading a lot, and learning sowly. However, I still think a step by step tutorial for a small map would be incredibly helpful. For me, seeing the sequence of events that an experianced mapper uses would be great. Do they start off with rooms, then add terain, then sky? When and how do they add windows, doors, trees, furniture? At what point do they incorporate underground or upper levels into their maps? Being able to go step by step would give the newbie such a better feel of whats involved, not to mention a sense of accomplishment as the map comes to life. I know a small map couldn't possibly cover everything, but I think it would provide a solid foundation for learning.

Post by **Surgeon** » Sun Feb 23, 2003 6:46 pm

The problem is everyone goes about it in different ways so its not as easy as just sticking it down in a tut.....

Reas the following articles:

http://www.3dgate.com/techniques/2001/0 ... an_02.html

http://www.3dgate.com/techniques/2001/0 ... an_04.html

SOme mappers plan first, others just dive right in - there is no right or wrong way,,,just what feels comfortable..