View source for Valve Hammer Editor

{{LanguageBar|title=Valve Hammer Editor (Source)}}{{Source topicon}}
{{TabsBar|main=gs2|base=Valve Hammer Editor}}
{{SoftwareBox
<!-- Basic info -->
| title     = Hammer 4.x
| image      = Hammer_splash.png
| imagetooltip = The Hammer Editor splash screen, which appears when being launched (version 4.x, {{src|1}}).
| image2      = Hammer_screen.jpg
| imagetooltip2 = Screenshot of Hammer 4.x, with {{code|d1_trainstation_01}} map loaded.

<!-- Details -->
| developer = Valve Corporation
| initial_release = November 05, 2004<br><font style="font-size:10px;">(4.0)</font>
| stable_release = Actively updated <font style="font-size:10px;">(4.1)</font> <!-- VHE on Source continues to receive updates on most Source games. -->
| written_in = 
| type = Map Editor
| distribution = [[Source SDK]]
| website = 
| download = 
| version = 

<!-- Operating system(s)-->
| windows = 
| android = 
| macos = 
| linux = 

<!-- Target engine(s) - hidden -->
| gldsrc = 
| source = 
| source2 = 

}}

{{Todo|Rewrite the translated version of this article}}

<span style="font-weight:bold; color:white">Hammer</span> (version <span style="font-weight:bold; color:white">4.x</span>), sometimes informally called '''Hammer 4''', is [[Valve]]'s in-house level editor for {{src|1}} titles, included in the [[Source SDK]]. It is a further evolution of [[Valve Hammer Editor_(GoldSrc)|Hammer 3.x]] from the [[GoldSrc]] engine. Many of its core concepts, features, and UI elements still match those of 3.x, as does the underlying mapping theory: building [[Leak|sealed]] levels with [[Brush|brushes]] and compiling them into [[BSP]] maps. 

While in many ways improved, its core is still tied to ancient software architecture, and, being a product of its time, it often struggles under the load of designing modern, highly detailed looking levels. 

Despite that, {{hl2|1.bold}} and every other Source title was built with it. Its relative ease of entry and gradual learning curve attract modders to this day. This version of Hammer also continued to receive updates to this day.
 
{{ModernImportant|There are several community-made updates to Hammer (unfortunately, none are open-source, as the source code for Hammer has never been officially released, only either leaked, or available to licensees who kept it closed).<br>They are not essential for creating Source levels, but include bugfixes, QoL and extended features. '''They are [[#Extensions|listed further below ↓]]'''.}}

== Installing and launching ==
Older versions of Hammer (for {{src09|1}} and earlier) are shipped in their respective [[Source SDK]] packages, and are intended to be launched via the deprecated Source SDK Launcher.

Since the [[SteamPipe]] update and the release of {{src13|1}}, Hammer are often preinstalled automatically with the games, and is available in the {{path|<nowiki>/bin/</nowiki>}} folder of a particular game ({{path|<nowiki>Half-Life 2/bin</nowiki>}}, {{path|<nowiki>Portal/bin</nowiki>}}, etc). However, in some cases, such as games starting with {{l4d|1.bold}}, {{p2|1.bold}}, etc., or some third-party Source games, their '''Authoring Tools''' need to be installed and launched to access '''Hammer'''.

Some of these sub-versions are interchangeable, such as between HL2, [[Episode 1|both]] of its [[Episode 2|Episodes]], Portal, {{css|1.bold}} and {{src13|1.bold}}. Others, such as Portal 2's and {{csgo|1.bold}}, have certain exclusive features ({{w|icon=0|Maya}} integration for P2, [[Sprinkle]] Tool for CS:GO) and may not be fully compatible with other titles. Additionally, VMF files created on newer branches of Hammer (such as {{as|1}}) may crashes on Hammer made for older branches (like {{src13|1}}) when loaded, unless it was converted or by using [[#Community fixes|community-made version]] of Hammer.

For further information on setting up Hammer for Source, see [[Your First Map]], [[Getting Started]] and its following articles. 

See also [[:Category:Hammer]] for more links to Hammer documentation.

== Features and tools ==
{{stub}}
Compared to Hammer 3.x, the most notable new features include [[Displacements]], [[I/O]] system, and using Source's own materialsystem for rendering textures and models. Later versions expanded on the user interface, adding the particle browser (since ASW), improved Model Browser, [[Instance|instances]] and other extra tools.

{{seealso|[[:Category:Hammer Toolbars]]}}

== Extensions ==
* {{hammer++|2}} updates Hammer with additional tools and modernized workflow, realtime in-editor lighting preview, in-editor physics and more.
* {{TeamSpen's Hammer Addons|2}} is a set of [[FGD]] enhancements, editor assets and scripts for working with Hammer, which don't directly modify the editor.
* {{slamminsrc|2}} addresses performance and bug issues, adds convenience options and features, and comes with extended compilers: '''[[Slammin' Source Map Tools|Slammin' Compile Tools]]''';

== Developer resources ==
* [[Level Design Video Tutorials]] - a large collection of videos on mapping techniques and tricks across multiple Source titles.
* [[Mapping Sites]] and [[General Sites]] - listing of forums and resources in various languages.
* [[Map Archive Sites]] - for downloading existing maps (primarily for '''Half-Life 2''').
* See [[:Category:Level Design]] for all documentation on the subject.

== Common issues ==
{{seealso|[[Compile Errors]]}}
=== No grid (black viewports) ===
First, check that the grid is on. The hotkey {{Key|Shift|R}} controls, so give it a try.

If that didn't help, check the formatting of your mod's {{path|gameinfo|txt}}. 

It needs to include a key called {{code|SteamAppId}}, and the number after it needs to match the [[Steam Application ID]] of the base game you will be using to launch your mod.

This issue may also be caused by using a different Hammer version than the one intended for the game. To stay on the safe side, be sure to be launching {{path|hammer|exe}} from the {{path|<nowiki>/bin/</nowiki>}} folder of the base game of your mod, or using Authoring Tools to launch it, if you're modding '''Portal 2''', '''Left 4 Dead''' or '''Left 4 Dead 2''' or '''Counter-Strike: Global Offensive'''.

=== Poor performance ===
The fault is due to Hammer's legacy and unmaintained code. It will struggle to display too many detailed objects and draw levels across vast distances; this is even apparent with '''Half-Life 2''''s own stock levels. To make matters worse, having a large number of visible objects - ''regardless'' of what they are or how low-poly they are - will degrade both performance and input times, and make everything like selecting, editing settings, or moving objects take longer. '''Hammer++''' and '''Slammin' Hammer''' fix some of these performance pitfalls.

{{bug|Some AMD cards have a long standing bug with the selection tool in Hammer, which causes selections to have a severe performance penalty and even take several seconds. This is mostly mitigated in '''Hammer++'''.}}

To workaround this, keep the Model and Detail render distance in the 3D View tab of the Settings, on the lower side.
{{Tip|Hotkeys {{Key|1}} and {{Key|2}} move the 3D view clipping plane back and forth - you can use it to quickly adjust it and thus lessen the rendering load on the editor.}}

Make sure you didn't accidentally turn on '''Radius Culling''' by pressing {{Key|C}}. This easy to press hotkey can cause huge performance loss and, to add insult to injury, make your level ''not compile'' until it is turned off.

The '''Radius Culling''' status is indicated by a circled red "R" on the [[Hammer Map Operations Toolbar|Map Operations]] toolbar. '''Make sure it is de-pressed''', unless you actually intend to use it.
{{Note|Depending on the Hammer version, the button and the feature itself may not be present altogether. Older - pre-[[Steampipe]] - Hammer didn't have it, while '''Slammin' Hammer''' and '''Hammer++''' remove it.}}

=== Freezing during compiling ===
Prior to Hammer in {{l4dbranch|1}} and later which opens up a separate CMD window, Hammer has it's own compiler window, which can freeze the entire program during compiling.

To workaround this and see the compiling progress, users can use {{npp|1}}, open the log file (example: {{code|d1_trainstation_01.log}}), and go to View > Monitoring (tail -f) (this will prevent Notepad++ from editing the file until "Monitoring" is turned off). Alternatively, users can use '''Hammer++''' which also opens up seperate CMD window when compiling maps.

== Version History ==
<!--  Hammer Editor build number is the number of days since October 24, 1996, according to hammer/buildnum.cpp. -->
<!--  In HL2 case with Nov 17, 2023 update, the actual tools itself (HLMV, Faceposer and Hammer) reports as Nov 17, 2022 and build 9520 instead. However TF2 tools reports the date correctly. -->
{| class="standard-table mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|- style="position:sticky; top:0; z-index:10"
! style="background:#666666; text-align:center; width:5em" | Version
! style="background:#666666; text-align:center; width:15em" | Game/Branch
! style="background:#666666; text-align:center; width:10em" | Release date
! style="background:#666666; text-align:center" | Features
|-
| 4.0 (build 2934){{confirm}}
| All {{src04|1.bold}} games
| November 05, 2004
| Initial release of Hammer in the Source SDK.

'''Updates:'''
* '''Source Engine materials system'''. Materials created with the Source Engine's advanced shader-based texturing system are properly rendered inside the Hammer Editor. 
* '''Displacement surfaces'''. A new class of mesh geometry that can be sculpted into different shapes and connected to one another to create terrain and other complex surfaces.
* '''Input and Outputs entity system'''. Entities use a new method to trigger and connect to one another, offering a higher level of flexibility and control than ever before. 
* '''Hierarchical VisGroups'''. Objects can now be in multiple VisGroups, and Visgroups can be organized in a hierarchical manner for easier selection and organization.
* '''Entity Helpers'''. New user interface controls that make editing parameters on entities such as spotlights and doors easier and clearer.
* '''Per-face Lightmap controls'''. Lightmap density can be controlled on a per-face basis for more control over the balance of visual quality and rendering performance. 
* '''Sound Browser'''. Built-in browser to hear a preview of sounds available to level designers.
* '''Non-modal Entity Report and Check for Problems dialogs'''. Dialogs are now non-modal, allowing for changes in the level and camera controls while using the information in the dialog boxes.
* '''Smoothing Groups'''. Per-face control of lighting-based smoothing. 
* '''Find and Replace'''. Functions to both search and replace for text in any entity name, parameter, input, or output.
* '''Selection Mode toolbar'''. A new toolbar to control the impact of groups and entities upon the selection tools. 
* '''Overlays'''. A new type of texture entity, similar to decals, but with far greater control over how it is applied to surfaces.
|-
| 4.0 (build 2959)
| {{Src04|1.bold}}
| November 22-30, 2004{{confirm}}
| [https://github.com/Source-SDK-Archives/source-sdk-2004 Updated version] of Source SDK 2004.
|-
|4.1 (build 3316)
| {{hl2lc|1.bold}}, All {{src06|1.bold}} games and newer<!-- HDR was first introduced in HL2 Lost Coast, which was probably run on special build of Source 2004 or a beta 2006 build when it came out in 2005.-->
|November 22, 2005
|
'''Updates:'''
* '''HDR tools support'''. High Dynamic Range levels can be compiled and run from Hammer.
* '''VGUI Model Browser'''. All new model browser with a full tree control and real-time 3D previewing of model geometry, rendered with the Source material system.
* '''Enhanced 2D and 3D Views'''. 2D and 3D views are now rendered with a unified Source materials system, allowing for real-time feedback of transformations in all viewports simultaneously, and much faster rendering of the viewports. 
* '''2D model and displacement Rendering'''. Prop models and displacement geometry rendering in 2D viewports.
* '''Enhanced Auto Visgroups'''. A larger number of Visgroup categories, as well as an improved interface makes Visgroups more powerful.
* '''Autosave feature'''. Creates automatic, numbered backups of maps, with options for when and where backups are created.
* '''Paste Special enhancements'''. Provides options for renaming objects when pasted to avoid name collisions with automatic entity I/O fixup.
|-
|4.1 (build 4037)
| {{src06|bold}}
| November 13, 2007
| Last Old Engine version of Hammer.
{{Todo|Changes?}}
|-
|4.1 (build 4038-404x){{confirm}}
| {{src07|1.bold}}
| November 14, 2007{{confirm}}
|
'''Updates:'''
* '''Inspecting Leaves in Hammer'''. You can now see [[visleaves]] using the Load Portal File option in Hammer, instead of using the {{code|glview}} application.
{{Todo|Add more updates and changes in Source 2007 Hammer.}}
* '''Resizable Object Properties window'''. The Object Properties window can now be resized, and by default, it is larger and wider.
'''Fixes:'''
* '''Cubemaps can now be built for maps running in the Orange Box engine.'''
* Added Hammer models and materials that were missing in the 11/07 release.'''
|-
|4.1 (build 4627){{confirm}}
| {{l4d|1.bold}}
| June 25, 2009
| Initial release of {{l4dtools|1.bold}}'s Hammer.
'''Updates:'''
* '''CMD compiling progress window'''. When compiling maps, Hammer will instead opens up separate CMD window instead of via Hammer itself, preventing it from freezing the entire program.
|-
|4.1 (unknown build)
| {{l4d2|1.bold}}
| Between November 17, 2009 and December 26, 2009
| Initial release of {{l4d2tools|1.bold}}'s Hammer.<br>{{Question|When L4D2 tools was actually released?}}
|-
|4.1 (build 4715)
| {{src07|bold}}
| September 21, 2009
| Last version of Hammer for Source 2007.
{{Todo|Changes?}}
|-
|4.1 (unknown launch build)<!-- Only fill the build from the very first version of SDK. -->
| {{as|1.bold}}
|July 19, 2010
| [[Valve Map Format]] (.vmf) that are created using this version are incompatible<br> with previous version of Hammer without some modification and workarounds (such as using '''Left 4 Dead Authoring Tools'''/'''[[L4D2 Authoring Tools|Left 4 Dead 2 Authoring Tools]]''' or editing VMF files).
'''Updates:'''
* Added a way to export the selected brushes to Maya. 
|-
|4.1 (build 5307){{confirm}}
| {{p2|1.bold}}
|May 6, 2011
| Initial release of {{p2tools|1.bold}}'s Hammer.{{confirm}}
|-
|4.1 (build 5313){{confirm}}
| '''Portal 2'''
|May 12, 2011
| 
'''Fixes:'''
* Fixed certain keystrokes being ignored by Hammer when browsing models
|-
|4.1 (build 5318)
| '''Portal 2'''
|May 17, 2011
| 
'''Fixes:'''
* Fixed crash that could occur when malformed brushes were saved in a map and then re-opened in Hammer.
* Hammer will now properly save maps after detecting and fixing malformed brushes. Fixes “Permission Denied” error some users were experiencing.
* Removed “Lighting Preview” option as this is not currently supported.
|-
|4.1 (build 5321)
| '''Portal 2'''
|May 20, 2011
| 
'''Fixes:'''
* Fixed Hammer becoming unresponsive after launching map
|-
|4.1 (build 5327 to 5688)
| '''Portal 2'''
|May 26, 2011 to May 21, 2012
| Unknown
|-
|4.1 (build 5439)
| {{src09|bold}} ({{hl2|1}}, {{portal|1}})
| September 15, 2011
| Last version of Hammer for Source 2009.
{{Todo|Changes?}}
|-
|4.1 (build 5476)
| {{p3|1.bold}}
| October 22, 2011 (build date)<br>December 13, 2013 (leak)
| Leaked Postal III SDK.
{{Todo|Changes?}}
|-
|4.1 (BETA, unknown build)
| {{csgo|1.bold}}
|May 5, 2012 (or earlier){{confirm}}
| Initial release of {{csgotools|1.bold}}'s Hammer.
|-
|4.1 (unknown launch build)
| {{csgo|bold}}
|August 21, 2012
| Launch version of {{csgotools|1.bold}}'s Hammer.
|-
|4.1 (build 5845)
| {{srcmp|bold}} ({{css|1}}, {{tf2|1}}, etc.)
| October 25, 2012
| Last version of Hammer for Source MP.
{{Todo|Changes?}}
|-
|4.1 (build 8678)
| '''Alien Swarm'''
|September 24, 2020
| Latest version for '''Alien Swarm'''.
|-
|4.1 (build 9008)
| {{src13|1.bold}}
| July 2, 2021
| Latest version for {{Css|1.bold}}, {{dods|1.bold}}, {{hl2dm|1.bold}} and {{src13mp|1.bold|nt=0}}
|-
|4.1 (build 9092)
| {{tf2|1.bold}}
| September 16, 2021
| Unknown
|-
|4.1 (build 9109)
| '''Team Fortress 2'''
| October 5, 2021
| Unknown
|-
|4.1 (build 9122)
| {{csgo|1.bold}}
| October 29, 2023{{confirm}}<!-- dates based off this "https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ldzhd6vxd-03le5ymesUeG-hLWmxLpH79ajayeYDUNs/edit" spreadsheet, needs confirm through -->
| Latest{{confirm}} version for {{csgo|3.1}}.
|-
|4.1 (build 9464)
| '''Team Fortress 2'''
| September 26, 2022
| Unknown
|-
|4.1 (build 9520)
| {{hl2|1.bold}}
| November 17, 2023 (release)
| Last version prior to 20th Anniversary update. {{hl2|only}}
|-
|4.1 (build 9540)
| '''Team Fortress 2'''
| December 8, 2022
| Unknown
|-
|4.1 (build 9958)
| '''Left 4 Dead 2'''
| June 4, 2024
| Latest version for '''L4D2'''.
|-
|4.1 (build 10038)
| '''Team Fortress 2'''
| April 18, 2024
| '''Updates:''' 
* '''Added a dedicated 64-bit version'''. This will allow Hammer to access more than 4 GB of RAM, and slightly better performance.
|-
|4.1 (build 10042)
| '''Team Fortress 2'''
| April 22, 2024
| Latest version for {{tf2|4}}.
|-
|4.1 (build 10247)
| '''Half-Life 2'''
| November 16, 2024
| Half-Life 2 20th anniversary update.
'''Updates:'''
* '''Show detail sprite preview''' on non-displacement surfaces.
* '''Increased many limits for BSP data.''' Models 1024 -> 2048, Brushes 8192 -> 16384, TexInfo 12288 -> 16384, TexData 2048 -> 8096, DispInfo 2048 -> 8096.
'''Fixes:'''
* Fixed bug where orphaned entities added additional data on each map load.
* Fixed the ability to render cubemaps.
|}
{{todo|Additional updates, like instances in '''Left 4 Dead''' and model spray patterns in {{csgo|1.bold}}?. Also '''Portal 2''' Hammer have an option to enable "DotA Camera".}}

==== {{src}} FGDs ====
<!--alphabetical order-->
{{note|Most games come with their proper FGD.}}
* {{hls|1.bold}} ([[Half-Life_Source.fgd|FGD]])
* {{hl2|1.bold}} ([[Half_Life_2.fgd|FGD]])
* {{Css|1.bold}} ([[Counter-Strike: Source (fixed).fgd|FGD]], with fixed code for [[func_buyzone]] and [[func_bomb_target]])
* {{csgo|1.bold}} ([[Counter_Strike_Global_Offensive.fgd|FGD]])

{{cls}}

== See also ==
* [[Hammer Feature Requests]]{{deprecated}}
* [[Brush]]
* [[Entity]]
* [[FGD]]
* [[RMF]], [[VMF]], and [[MAP]]

== External links ==
* [https://valvedev.info/archives/theforge/ Offical website (archived)]
* [https://gamebanana.com/tools/5026 Download Hammer 3.4 from Gamebanana] 

{{leveleditors}}
{{sdktools}}

[[Category:Glossary]]	
[[Category:Valve tools]]	
[[Category:Official Tools]]	
[[Category:Official Source Tools]]
[[Category:Hammer]]	
[[Category:Level Design]]	
[[Category:Tools]]