Mapping

[Rapishorrid]

Soo I want to start mapping for games and such...where should I start?

I don't really want to buy a game I don't have, but I it is the ideal engine to begin mapping on then I might. I have COD2, BF2, FEAR, basically any newish game except for HL2. Which from what I hear is where I should learn to map.

So if I don't have HL2, what game/program combo would you reccomend to start on? Possibly links to tutorials.. I was thinking COD2 but I don't know anything about mapping, which is why I am asking you guys. (who some might be mappers):D

[Defcon]

Unfortunatly the best engine to learn to map on is the HL2 Source engine. Pay the $35 for the game and get going. The map editor and software, textures, models and configuration come with it.

Other than that, I'd hit up google before coming to us. ;)

This is the clostest thing to a SDK (HL2 Source Developer Kit) as Infinity Ward will release:

http://www.cod2hq.com/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=getit&lid=68

From there on out, good luck.

cheers

[Sgt So and So]

Another pretty good mapping starter point is Unreal Tournament 2004. I got into it, and it has a fairly good tutorial, but you must be willing to sacrifice at least a half dozen hours playing around with the silly control scheme until you get it:D

[Hyperion2010]

I recomend learning something like 3dsmax in concert with whatever maping environment you choose to learn on. If you had source I would recomend that (its what I have been mapping for for 1.5 years). But if not I would work on learning UEd3 (the editor for UE2.5) so you can make a quick transistion to UEd4 for the UE3 engine.

Seriously though, learn max or your prefered modeling program too, it will be more useful in the long run if you are serious about mapping.

[FartCop]

Mapping is essentially 3d modeling. The difference being the low poly scale that you have to work with because of the limitations set forth by the engine and/or computer.

If you are so lucky to have the money to obtain 3d studio max go for it. It's popular and has more resources to use than a single forum could keep track off.

However, for those of us who cannot afford it, there are alternatives. Search for open source software, free software or shareware (often inexpensive to buy).

My suggestion would be to determine the engine you are going to build for and choose a modeling medium accordingly. For instance my personal favorite for half life and HL2 modeling (as well as quake 2, 3 and many other games) has always been QuArK (QuArK (http://quark.planetquake.gamespy.com/index.php)) I prefer this program for it's great features, easy to use interface and 3d modeling like environment as well as it's ability to give you full access to your scene hierarchy in a explorer style interface. Avoid Hammer unless you only want to build for Valve games.

A few other programs for 3d modeling would include Blender, Hexagon, Wings3D, Silo (I really like this one), Modo, Milkshake and more. I've used all those listed above and more. However, it all comes down to how much you can spend, what platform you are working on (not so much these days) and which engine you are working with.

The resources available to you for game content creation are not necessarily limited to a game engine either. Most 3d applications export to formats that can be directly input to a game engine or converted using included tools (with the engine sdk) or with free/shareware on the www.

Also, since games are the focus of your considerations look online for low poly tutorials. This will give you a wealth of information to keep you busy for months.

Hope this helps. If I get a chance I'll post links to software.

[hERd]

If you are so lucky to have the money to obtain 3d studio max go for it. It's popular and has more resources to use than a single forum could keep track off.
However, for those of us who cannot afford it, there are alternatives.

There is gmax, its basically the same 3dsmax but with less possibilities. It was designed for games, so you could model and perhaps animate there without any problems. And gmax is free.

[DavidUpton]

In my oppinion, you can't beat hammer (except when it f**ks up).

[lazlazlaz1]

gmax is no longer avaliable...annoyingly

[[EID]Sharp]

gmax is no longer avaliable...annoyingly


You sure?

http://www.turbosquid.com/gmax

[FartCop]

Gmax has limited support for games from what I remember.

Hammer is a valve editor ONLY. You can't build for HL2 and Doom3

[OliverMarshall]

Does anyone know a really good complete beginner tutorial for 3ds Max 7 along wiwht a really basic course on how to model/map/texture etc?

[[EID]Sharp]

Does anyone know a really good complete beginner tutorial for 3ds Max 7 along wiwht a really basic course on how to model/map/texture etc?

No, but a good site for mapping help is mapcore.net

This book looks pretty good (but it hasn't been released yet)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933097132/sr=8-1/qid=1141261337/ref=sr_1_1/103-8088272-3769408?%5Fencoding=UTF8

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/7485/hl2mapmod2nw.jpg


The author, Tim Holt, is a Half-Life 2 modding expert and research assistant at Oregon State University. He has been working with forestry researchers on a new visualization engine for forestry data utilizing Valve's Source Engine. Tim is also currently building mods for Texas A&M University Corpus Christi's Pulse! Project, which is developing a next-generation learning space in a game-styled environment for healthcare training and education.

Unreal development/level design:

http://www.planetunreal.com/architectonic/first_level.html
http://wiki.beyondunreal.com/wiki/

[FartCop]

http://www.evermotion.org/
http://www.cgarchitect.com/
http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorials/3DS-MAX/1
http://www.3dcafe.com/ (some decent stuff, but it's average)
http://www.threedy.com/site/forum/index.php
http://www.3dtotal.com/

plus some resources:
http://www.maxplugins.de/max7.php
http://www.scriptspot.com/start.htm

Great beginners tutorial. It's a staple to learn on and fairly easy (as well as involved) to do.
http://67.15.36.49/team/Tutorials/fiat500/fiat500.asp


If I have time I'll post more.

[OliverMarshall]

Ok since modeling looks to hard I think i'll give that a break, is mapping, texturing or animating any easier?

[hERd]

I really doubt one can be easier then another. It all depends what you like more. So if Iam interested in 3d, modeling is easy for me.

[FartCop]

Any of those are going to require a certain amount of dedication to learn. Texturing is easy if all you do is apply a standard shader from withing Max (for instance) and don't strive to create your own. Or to learn the more complex methods of generating more realistic and accurate shaders.

Checkout Povray (www.povray.org (http://www.povray.org)) to get a sense of what texture code looks like and get a modest understanding of it's structure.

If you want to jump in and just start building with 3d check this post on a program I just purchased.
http://www.1944game.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1575

It's a lot of fun to use and relatively easy to understand. I can't give you any advice on modeling cars or characters because I've only spent my years building architectural models. I hope this helps though and you don't give up on it. It's actually very rewarding and can be a great deal of fun.

[Hyperion2010]

Ok since modeling looks to hard I think i'll give that a break, is mapping, texturing or animating any easier?


ROFL! Animation is extremely hard, as is texturing (uv mapping). Mapping itself is the easiest, but in the future it will be nothing more than moving the pieces of content together and doing scripting etc. for optimization.

[Hells Angel]

Use the Unreal 2.0 engine and for a starting hand check out 3DBuzz's free tutorials for it and check the forums for any help and websites with information on mapping. i've been doing it for 3 yeasrs and it beats the HL 1+2 engine by miles, not by looks but by ease of use, compiling ease and fun!;)

[Rapishorrid]

Thanks for all the replies guys.:D

So I want to start mapping with Hammer and HL2. After getting the hang of that I will move on to programs like max and stuff (I am a 3d modeler and use max frequently but I've read some stuff about brushes vs. polygons etc. that makes me want to start with hammer).

Is there anyway to download Hammer or the Source SDK (for HL2) without using steam?? Since my computer that I do all my modeling, gaming and anything except browsing the net on, does not have the internet, I have my HL2 running completely steam free. So in this way I can't get the SDK (no steam to download it, no internet anyway). I've searched but the only hammer I can find is what was originally worldcraft for HL1.:confused:

[[EID]Sharp]

Yes, not sure if it's completely legal. Let me know when you've emptied your inbox, it's full :-) Or get me on AIM/MSN/Yahoo tonight.