Get Learned! AppendixSUGGESTIONS & WARNINGS
Read the Help inside Hammer! It's surprisingly helpful. Don't forget to use the Index and Search tabs.
Using search engines like Google and Yahoo is a good idea, too, especially if you know basically what you are looking for. If you want to know how to make a sky in your map, try searching for "worldcraft half-life sky" (remember that Hammer is aka Worldcraft).
Finally, here is a list of miscellaneous things I think you should know.
- Remember to save your map as a .map file in your compile folder before compiling each time.
- Periodically save backups of your map in case you mess it up. You'll be glad you did.
- In Hammer, press the [ and ] keys to change the fineness of the 2d grid. Use a big grid size to make walls and floors etc.. Use a fine grid to make detailed objects.
- ALWAYS USE THE BIGGEST REASONABLE GRID SIZE for what you are building. This has many advantages:
- Less likely to get leaks.
- Map stays clean and easy to edit.
- Faster compile times.
- Don't use flashing lights much ever. They are very annoying even if you think they're cool when you first try them.
- Lights in the real world are almost always white/offwhite/a little yellowy. Use colored lights carefully and only where they make sense. Newbies use too many colored lights.
- Sunlight is ALWAYS white. Solid bright white light. The only exception is when sunlight enters the atmosphere at such a low angle that there is some slight pink or orange distortion.
- Moonlight is NOT blue. Ever. It is low intensity white light.
- Learn about the ZHLT compilers. They have lots of sweet options.
- And learn to use texture lights instead of light entities!
Thanks for playing and good luck!
Update!
Learn how to make ladders and more here!
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