Hammer What's New

Major new features of the Valve Hammer Editor 4.0

• 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.