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[[Category:Level Design]][[Category:Tutorials]]
{{LanguageBar}}
We'll start off by showing you how to create the most basic geometry — the brush object. Brushes are the basic building block for all levels built in the Source Engine.


=Basic Construction and Navigation=
{{first room menu}}


To build your first level geometry, select the Block Tool, from the list of icons on the left side of the Hammer window. The tools are selected by single-left-clicking on the icon.
Simple 3D solids (cubes, cylinders, etc.) are referred to as [[brush]]es inside the Hammer editor. These objects are the basic building blocks for all maps built for Source.
Select the Block Tool by left-clicking on it.


[[Image:hammer_blocktool.jpg | Now you're ready to create your first brush geometry.]]
Floors, walls and ceilings—in short all geometry other than [[model]]s—consist of brushes.


In the Top 2D View (the upper-right window pane), click and drag to create a box, as shown in this image.
== Creating brushes ==
#Select the {{hammer block}}.
#Specify the size of your brush by clicking and dragging your mouse in the Top 2D View (the upper-right window pane by default) to create a box, as shown in Figure 2.
#Create the object by pressing {{key|Enter}}. Alternatively, right-click inside the brush and choose '''Create Object'''.


[[Image:hammer_top2dview1.jpg | Clicking and dragging to create a brush.]]
{{tip|If your object does not appear textured already, click on the Camera view and go to '''View''' > '''3D Textured Polygons''' to view a textured version of your object.}}


Now that you've set the shape of the brush, we're now ready to create it.
{|
| [[File:Hammer blocktool.png|thumb|left|300px| '''Fig. 1''' The Block Tool.]]
| [[File:Hammer top2dview1.png|thumb|left|380px| '''Fig. 2''' Clicking and dragging to create a brush.]]
|}


Right-mouse click in the center of the brush to get the Create Object menu, then left-click the menu to create the brush.
== Selecting brushes ==
[[File:hammer_selectiontool.png|thumb|left|300px|link=Hammer Selection Tool|The Selection Tool.]]


[[Image:hammer_createobject.jpg | Creating the brush object.]]
Click on the {{hammer select}}. It is used to isolate an object or group of objects you wish to manipulate. With the '''Selection Tool''' active, highlight your brush by clicking on it in one of the windows. (In a 2D window click on the edges or center of the brush. In the Camera view, click anywhere on the object.)


Click the Selection Tool. The Selection Tool is used to select different objects in the map, as well as move and resize them.
You will notice that the selected brush will be highlighted with red and will get eight little white square handles in the 2D views. These handles allow you to rotate and transform the selection ([[#Resize,_Rotate,_& Skew|see below]]).


[[Image:hammer_selectiontool.jpg | Switch to the Selection Tool to select objects.]]
Note that the brush looks like a 3D wireframe box. Flatten the box so that it looks like a thin slab and move it so that the camera is above it. Think of the brush as a 3D chunk of ceiling or floor or wall, not a room all by itself. It takes 6 brushes to make a room.


Now we'll increase the height of the brush we've made.
{{tip|Hold {{key|Ctrl}} to select multiple objects.}}


Click and drag the square edge handle in the Side 2D View (the lower-right window pane).
{{clr}}


The cursor should change to the move handle cursor when you have the correct handle.
== The Grid ==
A grid is displayed in all the 2D views.  By default, all objects snap to the grid.  Although you can turn this off by pressing {{key|Shift|W}}, it is considered good practice to leave it on because it prevents [[leak]]s and other errors in your map.


Drag the height so that it is 128, as shown in this image. If you make a mistake, simply grab the handle and try again.
The default grid size is 64 units, which means that each line is 64 units apart. You can change the grid size by:


[[Image:hammer_brushheightediting.jpg | Changing the height of the brush.]]
* Pressing {{key|[}} or {{key|Alt|A}} or clicking the '''Smaller Grid''' icon [[File:hammer_SmallerGrid.png|link=]]. This will make the grid half as small as before, allowing finer adjustments.
* Pressing {{key|]}} or {{key|Alt|S}} or clicking the '''Larger Grid''' icon [[File:hammer_LargerGrid.png|link=]]. This will make the grid twice as big, for larger adjustments.


=Creating a Camera=
To help determine the appropriate scales needed for a playable map, please see the article on [[Dimensions]].
Next we'll create a Camera, which will help us navigate in the 3D View to see what we've created. Select the Camera Tool from the left side of the Hammer window.


[[Image:hammer_camera.jpg | Select the Camera Tool]]
== Resize, Rotate, & Skew ==
{{important|All three of the following operations ''can'' cause vertices to land '''off grid''' which normally is to be avoided, especially for [[world brush]]es. Resizing and skewing single axis-aligned cuboids for example is never problematic whereas rotating any brush by any angle other than 0, 90, 180, ... degrees always results in vertices off grid. Sometimes the {{hammer vertex}} is what you are actually looking for.}}
==== Resize ====
:Scales the selection. Select a brush using the {{hammer select}} and mouse over one of its eight white handles. The cursor should change to arrows, indicating along which axis you can move that handle. To resize, simply click and drag one of these handles.
:{|
| [[File:Hammer resize1.png|frame|none|White squares on each corner mean the brush can be resized.]]
| [[File:Hammer resize2.png|frame|none|Click and drag the edge up or down in any 2D view to resize.]]
|}
==== Rotate ====
:Spins the selection. Select the object you wish to rotate using the {{hammer select}}, then click on the object once again. You should see the squares surrounding the object at the corners turn into circles.
:{|
| [[File:Hammer rotate1.png|frame|none|Circles on each corner mean the brush can be rotated.]]
| [[File:Hammer rotate2.png|frame|none|Click and drag in a circle in any 2D view to rotate.]]
|}
==== Skew ====
:Distorts the selection along an axis. Select the object you wish to skew using the {{hammer select}}, then click twice on the object. You should see small white squares at the center of each edge of the object.
:{|
| [[File:Hammer skew1.png|frame|none|White squares at the center of each edge mean the brush can be skewed.]]
| [[File:Hammer skew2.png|frame|none|Click & drag a white square in any 2D view to skew.]]
|}


Now you're ready to create the Camera.
{{Navbar|View Navigation|Your First Map|Creating a Room}}
 
[[Category:Level Design]]
In the Top 2D View, click and drag to create the Camera, as shown in this image.
[[Category:Tutorials]]
 
[[Image:Hammer_top2dview2.jpg | Create a camera by dragging its position.]]
 
 
You can use the Magnify Tool to change the zoom level in the 2D viewports. First select the Magnify Tool from the icon bar. Now left-click in a 2D viewport to increase the magnification, and right-click to zoom back out.
 
When you're done with the Magnify Tool, switch back to the Selection Tool.
 
[[Image:hammer_magnifytool.jpg]]
 
Hint: The wheel on the mouse can also be used to change the zoom level in all of the viewports.

Latest revision as of 05:06, 12 July 2024

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  1. Getting Started
  2. View Navigation
  3. Basic Construction
  4. Creating a Room
  5. Applying Textures
  6. Adding Point Entities
  7. Creating Brush Entities
  8. Adding Light
  9. Adding Prop Models
  10. Saving and Compiling

Simple 3D solids (cubes, cylinders, etc.) are referred to as brushes inside the Hammer editor. These objects are the basic building blocks for all maps built for Source.

Floors, walls and ceilings—in short all geometry other than models—consist of brushes.

Creating brushes

  1. Select the Block tool Hammer block.png.
  2. Specify the size of your brush by clicking and dragging your mouse in the Top 2D View (the upper-right window pane by default) to create a box, as shown in Figure 2.
  3. Create the object by pressing ↵ Enter. Alternatively, right-click inside the brush and choose Create Object.
Tip.pngTip:If your object does not appear textured already, click on the Camera view and go to View > 3D Textured Polygons to view a textured version of your object.
Fig. 1 The Block Tool.
Fig. 2 Clicking and dragging to create a brush.

Selecting brushes

The Selection Tool.

Click on the Selection tool Hammer select.png. It is used to isolate an object or group of objects you wish to manipulate. With the Selection Tool active, highlight your brush by clicking on it in one of the windows. (In a 2D window click on the edges or center of the brush. In the Camera view, click anywhere on the object.)

You will notice that the selected brush will be highlighted with red and will get eight little white square handles in the 2D views. These handles allow you to rotate and transform the selection (see below).

Note that the brush looks like a 3D wireframe box. Flatten the box so that it looks like a thin slab and move it so that the camera is above it. Think of the brush as a 3D chunk of ceiling or floor or wall, not a room all by itself. It takes 6 brushes to make a room.

Tip.pngTip:Hold Ctrl to select multiple objects.

The Grid

A grid is displayed in all the 2D views. By default, all objects snap to the grid. Although you can turn this off by pressing ⇧ Shift+W, it is considered good practice to leave it on because it prevents leaks and other errors in your map.

The default grid size is 64 units, which means that each line is 64 units apart. You can change the grid size by:

  • Pressing [ or Alt+A or clicking the Smaller Grid icon Hammer SmallerGrid.png. This will make the grid half as small as before, allowing finer adjustments.
  • Pressing ] or Alt+S or clicking the Larger Grid icon Hammer LargerGrid.png. This will make the grid twice as big, for larger adjustments.

To help determine the appropriate scales needed for a playable map, please see the article on Dimensions.

Resize, Rotate, & Skew

Icon-Important.pngImportant:All three of the following operations can cause vertices to land off grid which normally is to be avoided, especially for world brushes. Resizing and skewing single axis-aligned cuboids for example is never problematic whereas rotating any brush by any angle other than 0, 90, 180, ... degrees always results in vertices off grid. Sometimes the Vertex tool Mt-vertex.png is what you are actually looking for.

Resize

Scales the selection. Select a brush using the Selection tool Hammer select.png and mouse over one of its eight white handles. The cursor should change to arrows, indicating along which axis you can move that handle. To resize, simply click and drag one of these handles.
White squares on each corner mean the brush can be resized.
Click and drag the edge up or down in any 2D view to resize.

Rotate

Spins the selection. Select the object you wish to rotate using the Selection tool Hammer select.png, then click on the object once again. You should see the squares surrounding the object at the corners turn into circles.
Circles on each corner mean the brush can be rotated.
Click and drag in a circle in any 2D view to rotate.

Skew

Distorts the selection along an axis. Select the object you wish to skew using the Selection tool Hammer select.png, then click twice on the object. You should see small white squares at the center of each edge of the object.
White squares at the center of each edge mean the brush can be skewed.
Click & drag a white square in any 2D view to skew.
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