Basic Construction: Difference between revisions

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(Added pictures, reworded for consistency, added rotate & skew options...stopped spamming update list. (sorry))
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== Creating brushes ==
== Creating brushes ==
#Select the [[Hammer Block Tool|Block Tool]] [[Image:hammer_block.png|28px]]. [[Image:hammer_blocktool.jpg |thumb|180px| '''Fig. 1''' The Block Tool.]] [[Image:hammer_top2dview1.jpg |thumb|right|320px| '''Fig. 2''' Clicking and dragging to create a brush.]]
[[Image:hammer_blocktool.jpg |thumb|180px| '''Fig. 1''' The Block Tool.]]
#Select the [[Hammer Block Tool|Block Tool]] [[Image:hammer_block.png|28px]]. 
#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.
#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 the ENTER key. Alternatively, right-click inside the brush and choose '''Create Object'''.
#Create the object by pressing the ENTER key. Alternatively, right-click inside the brush and choose '''Create Object'''.


'''Note:''' 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.
'''Note:''' 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.
 
[[Image:hammer_top2dview1.jpg |thumb|left|320px| '''Fig. 2''' Clicking and dragging to create a brush.]]
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[[Image:hammer_selectiontool.jpg |thumb|left|180px|The Selection Tool.]]
[[Image:hammer_selectiontool.jpg |thumb|left|180px|The Selection Tool.]]


Select the red arrow on top of the list of icons. This is the [[Hammer Selection Tool|Selection Tool]]. It is used to select different objects in the map. With the '''Selection Tool''' selected, select your brush by clicking on it in one of the windows. (In the 2D windows you will need to click on the edges or center of the brush. It is easier to select a brush on the 3D window.)
Click on the [[Hammer Selection Tool|Selection Tool]] [[Image:hammer_select.png|28px]]. 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 marked red, and get eight little white square handles in the 2D views. These handles allow you to rotate and transform the selection (see '''Resizing brushes''', below).<br style="clear:both">
You will notice that the selected brush will be highlighted with red, and get eight little white square handles in the 2D views. These handles allow you to rotate and transform the selection (see '''Resize, Rotate , & Skew''', below).
 
Note that the brush looks like a 3D wireframe box. You may be tempted to make it big enough for the camera to be 'inside' the box. Don't do this; flatten the box so that it looks like a thin slab and move it so that the camera is outside of 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.


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.
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== The grid ==
== The grid ==
The “grid” is displayed in all the 2D views, and you might have noted that the size of your brush “snapped” to the lines of the grid when you created it. This is a good thing, as it helps prevent leaks and other errors—so keep the grid turned on and rarely turn it off.
A grid is displayed in all the 2D views.  By default, all objects snap to the grid.  Although you can turn this off, it is considered good practice to leave it on because it prevents leaks and other errors in your map.


This doesn’t mean that you cannot create detailed objects. Currently, as you can see at the bottom right, your grid size is 64, which is the default size that you start out with. This means that the grid lines are 64 units apart. You can make the grid smaller or larger by clicking on the size icons in the grid panel up to the left, or by pressing the <code>[</code> and <code>]</code> keys.
The default grid size is 64 units, which means that each lin is 64 units apart. You can change the grid size by pressing the <code>[</code> and <code>]</code> keys.


* Clicking the grid icon with the minus sign will make the grid half as big, for finer adjustments.
* Clicking the '''Smaller Grid''' icon [[Image:hammer_SmallerGrid.png]] will make the grid half as big, for finer adjustments.
* Clicking the grid icon with the plus sign will make the grid twice as big, for larger adjustments.
* Clicking the '''Larger Grid''' icon [[Image:hammer_LargerGrid.png]]] 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 [[Dimensions]]
To help determine the appropriate scales needed for a playable map, please see the article on [[Dimensions]].


== Resize, Rotate, & Skew ==
== Resize, Rotate, & Skew ==
[[Image:hammer_brushheightediting.jpg|thumb|320px| Changing the height of the brush.]]
[[Image:hammer_brushheightediting.jpg|thumb|320px| Changing the height of the brush.]]
'''Resize'''
Select a brush using the [[Hammer Selection Tool|Selection Tool]] [[Image:hammer_select.png|28px]] 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.<br style="clear:both">
'''Rotate'''
Select the object you wish to rotate using the [[Hammer Selection Tool|Selection Tool]] [[Image:hammer_select.png|28px]], then click once on the object.  You should see the object surrounded at the corners with circles.
[[Image:hammer_rotate1.png|thumb|200px|left|Circles at corners indicate that the object is ready to be rotated.]]
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Mouse over a circle in any 2D view, then click and drag to rotate the object.
[[Image:hammer_rotate2.png|thumb|200px|left|Click & drag a circle in any 2D view to rotate the object.]]
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'''Skew'''
Select the object you wish to skew using the [[Hammer Selection Tool|Selection Tool]] [[Image:hammer_select.png|28px]], then click twice on the object. You should see small white squares at the center of each edge of the object.
[[Image:hammer_skew1.png|thumb|200px|left|White squares at the center of each edge of an object indicate that it is ready to be skewed.]]
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Mouse over a white square in any 2D view, then click and drag to skew the object along that axis.
[[Image:hammer_skew2.png|thumb|200px|left|Click & drag a white square in any 2D view to skew the object.]]
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To change the size of one of your brushes, select a brush and put your mouse pointer 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.<br style="clear:both">


{{NavBar|View Navigation|Your First Map|Creating a Room}}
{{NavBar|View Navigation|Your First Map|Creating a Room}}


[[Category:Level Design Tutorials]]
[[Category:Level Design Tutorials]]

Revision as of 15:14, 1 April 2008

  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

Brushes

Brushes are the basic building block for all maps built in the Source engine. Floors, walls, ceilings, and all geometry other than models, consist of brushes.

Creating brushes

Fig. 1 The Block Tool.
  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 the ENTER key. Alternatively, right-click inside the brush and choose Create Object.

Note: 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. 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 get eight little white square handles in the 2D views. These handles allow you to rotate and transform the selection (see Resize, Rotate , & Skew, 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.

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, 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 lin is 64 units apart. You can change the grid size by pressing the [ and ] keys.

  • Clicking the Smaller Grid icon Hammer SmallerGrid.png will make the grid half as big, for finer adjustments.
  • Clicking the Larger Grid icon Hammer LargerGrid.png] 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

Changing the height of the brush.

Resize

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.

Rotate

Select the object you wish to rotate using the Selection Tool Hammer select.png, then click once on the object. You should see the object surrounded at the corners with circles.

Circles at corners indicate that the object is ready to be rotated.


Mouse over a circle in any 2D view, then click and drag to rotate the object.

Click & drag a circle in any 2D view to rotate the object.


Skew

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 of an object indicate that it is ready to be skewed.


Mouse over a white square in any 2D view, then click and drag to skew the object along that axis.

Click & drag a white square in any 2D view to skew the object.



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