Swarm Mapping Compile Settings

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January 2024

If you load Hammer from the Alien Swarm SDK tools, there are some things you'll need to do to successfully compile an Alien Swarm map.

First of all, to bring up the Hammer compiler, press F9. This will display the "Normal" (or Simple) compiler mode. In this mode, the compiler settings can not be changed and are not currently set up to compile Alien Swarm maps properly. If you attempt to compile an Alien Swarm map (that uses the "structure_seal" method) with the Normal compile mode, your map will leak.

To successfully compile Alien Swarm maps, you'll need to press the button labeled "Expert...", which brings up the Advanced compile settings. In this mode, there is one command in particular that has been added that will allow AS maps to compile called -alldetail. -alldetail turns all world brushes into func_detail except for any func_brush entities that have "structure_seal" as their name.

More info to come...

If you need them, here are the default parameters for compiling a finished map in Alien Swarm:

Compile Settings

• vbsp.exe:
  • -alldetail -game $gamedir $path\$file (note: "-alldetail" turns all world brushes into func_detail except for func_brush entities that have "structure_seal" as their name.)
• vvis.exe:
  • -radius_override 5000 -game $gamedir $path\$file
• vrad.exe:
  • -textureshadows -hdr -StaticPropLighting -StaticPropPolys -game $gamedir $path\$file