Elevator (Portal 2)

Elevators are used in Portal 2 to transition the player from level to level. They are not to be confused with the Disassembler, which takes players from level to level in coop. The elevators are present in the Overgrown, Reconstructing, Clean, and Wheatley themes.

Adding Elevators to a Map

Note:This tutorial will create an elevator spawn in your level. To prevent the potato gun from spawning, see potato removal simple tutorial 1 below.

Entrance Elevator

1. Select the entity tool, create a func_instance, and give it the fixup name "Arrival_Elevator" and the VMF file name instances/turbine_elevator/arrival_elevator_a4_base.vmf

Note:If the elevator does not load, save hammer and re-open it. You may also assure that the map you are editing is in the Portal 2/sdk_content/maps folder.

Both instances just after copying

2. To make things simpler, and to not have to create two func_instances and find the second one through all this mess, simply duplicate the "Arrival_Elevator" instance and place the copy exactly back on top of the original.

Note:If you look at the tall blue tools/toolsskip-textured column, you can easily align the two items. Simply ensure that the columns line up in all three 2d windows. Also make sure the bottom of the columns are aligned. If you need to select one of the two parts, such as the elevator or the logic, you can click one of the cubes attached to the column.

3. Double-click either one and change the name to "Arrival_Logic" with the VMF file name instances/turbine_elevator/arrival_elevator_a4_logic.vmf

Note: You don't have to use a4_logic if you don't want. arrival_elevator_logic works just as well, except the elevator comes down from above rather than up from below.

You can use one of the other elevators to use a different theme, as long as you have both the elevator and the logic instances.

Transition Manager

Transition manager is the little boxes behind the elevator

4. Create one more func_instance entity anywhere; a convenient place is right behind the elevator model (but not inside the arrival elevator !). Name this one "Arrival_Departure_Trans" with the VMF file name instances/transitions/arrival_departure_transition_ents.vmf". This instance covers the transition for both the Arrival AND Departure elevators, but it does not cover the .vmfs for the departure elevator (read below).

You were able to set the videos on the elevators by setting the variables in this instance before the DLC2 - update (Puzzlemaker) broke it. This is still possible. By replacing (remember to keep a backup of the original script)

<Your Steam Folder>/steamapps/common/Portal 2/portal2_dlc2/scripts/vscripts/videos/video_splitter.nut

with

<Your Steam Folder>/steamapps/common/Portal 2/portal2/scripts/vscripts/videos/video_splitter.nut

you'll be able to set arrival- and departure- videos, instead of a random one being chosen on upload; e.g. try setting $arrival_video to media/animalking.bik. For a complete list of available videos, see this page.

Warning:Replacing the script for yourself only, won't affect other players playing the map, if they don't have the same script. Creating a custom instance and a custom .nut script should work however and packing it.

Todo: Is it possible to change the script in the instance's script Entity?

Exit elevator

5. To create the exit elevator, simply repeat steps 1-3 but instead of "arrival_elevator" you will choose instances/turbine_elevator/departure_elevator_a4_logic.vmf and instances/turbine_elevator/departure_elevator_a4_base.vmf both of which are located in the same folder. Name these "Departure_Elevator" and "Departure_Logic" respectively.

Connection to the map

Elevator connected to a room

6. You will notice that sticking out of the middle of the elevators on one side is an extension that looks like a hallway. You must connect this passage to your map. A door would look good here.

Note:The map will leak at the passageway exit if it isn't sealed off with your own construction. You do not have to box the entire elevator, just take care of the exit.

Note:You do not need a spawn point or a portal gun entity, as the instances cover this.

Now your elevator is complete, congratulations!

Spawning Without a Potato (Advanced)

Todo: Why is this method better?

1. Repeat steps 1 and 2 above.

2. At step 3, replace the instance instances/turbine_elevator/arrival_elevator_a4_base.vmf with instances/turbine_elevator/arrival_elevator_base.vmf.

3. Double click on the instance and click on Edit Instance. Immediately save it under a new name (my_arrival_elevator_base.vmf, for example), because we'll be doing some changes in it. Also, don't forget to modify the VMF filename of the instance in the main map.

4. Double click on the trigger_once named "elevator_1_interior_start_trigger" that covers the elevator model.

5. Go to the Outputs and copy the line with:

	My Output >	Target Entity	Target Input	Parameter	Delay	Only Once
	OnStartTouch	elevator_1	MoveToPathNode	@elevator_1_bottom_path_1	0.10	No

6. Delete that output line, and place a func_instance_io_proxy entity named "proxy" near the elevator model.

7. Go to the Outputs, and Paste the line copied before.

8. Change the "OnStartTouch" output to "OnProxyRelay". Save your instance.

9. Go back to your main map and create a info_player_start and a weapon_portalgun in the elevator (make sure that the player is not stuck in the elevator).

10. Create a trigger_once entity that covers the whole elevator model and info_player_start.

11. Add this output:

	My Output >	Target Entity	Target Input	Parameter	Delay	Only Once
	OnStartTouch	Arrival_logic	instance:elevator_1;MoveToPathNode	0	0.10	No

12. Finally, save your map and compile it.

Spawning Without a Potato (simple)

1. Create a logic_playerproxy named "player_settings".

2. Place a logic_auto somewhere in your map (preferably next to the logic_playerproxy so you can easily find them both).

3. On the Output tab of the logic_auto, add this output:

	My Output >	Target Entity	Target Input	Parameter	Delay	Only Once
	OnMapSpawn	player_settings	RemovePotatosFromPortalgun		1.00	No

4. Finally, save your map and compile it.

Spawning Without a Potato (simple #2)

1. Create a trigger_weapon_strip at the bottom of the arrival elevator.

2. Place a portal gun above the trigger.

3. In the settings of the portal gun, adjust it to your preference (such as no potatoes or single portal only).

Creating an Underground Elevator

See also:  Underground Elevator

1. Follow instructions above, but use instances/underground/test_dome_entrance_lift_01.vmf for the Arrival_Elevator and don't make Arrival_Logic.

2. In your elevator, make an info_player_start. If it doesn't work in the 3D view, make it in the 2D view and move it down so it touches the floor of the elevator. (NOT the shaft, the actual elevator itself.)

3. Create a logic_auto (if one already exists outside of an instance, use it instead). On the outputs tab, put the following output:

	My Output >	Target Entity	Target Input	Parameter	Delay	Only Once
	OnMapSpawn	Arrival_Elevator-entrance_lift_train	StartForward		0.00	No

This will show up as invalid, but it will still work. The "simple" instructions for changing the Portal Gun apply here. I'm not sure the "advanced" instructions do.

Creating an Underground Elevator (simple)

Go and open the VMF file maps/instances/underground/test_dome_entrance_lift_01.vmf. Go and find the point_teleport entity called "@test_dome_lift_entry_teleport", change its name to "@arrival_teleport", then save.

Custom Entrance and Exit

If you wish for the player to spawn at a specific point, create a point_teleport and name it "@arrival_teleport", then set the Entity to Teleport to "!player".

For a custom exit, add the following output to the trigger or other entity that ends your level.

	My Output >	Target Entity	Target Input	Parameter	Delay	Only Once
	"insert output"	@exit_teleport	teleport		0.00	No

If it says that the output is invalid, ignore it.

See also

• Underground Elevator
• Instance

External links

• Portal 2 Elevator Guide - A Steam Community Guide