***Mini Mapping Contest 04 VOTE Thread***

[Snipergen]

**This thread has been dugg! You can digg it here (http://digg.com/pc_games/Minimap_TF2_Mapping_Contest_AMAZING_MINI_MAPS) and help us get to the front page!**


Thanks for all your great entry's, I've seen ALOT just magnificent buildings and scenes, just amazing. So now it's voting time, and prepare for the next contest I will organize later.
Don't vote for yourself because this time votes are public >:)

Original thread:
http://forums.tf2maps.net/showthread.php?t=3150

http://tf2maps.net/misc/mapping_contest.jpg

VelvetFistIronGlove
http://www.flickr.com/photos/velvetfistironglove/2749764852/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/velvetfistironglove/2749764954/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/velvetfistironglove/2748929893/

Snipergen
http://dumpedimage.com/images/4thbggok93smza160mj.jpg
http://dumpedimage.com/images/otpdz58i84e0xc6dmwgu.jpg

TheDarkerSideofYourShadow
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/TheDarkestShadow_2006/TF2/Contests/Mini%20Mapping%204/contest_4_ds_entry_10000.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/TheDarkestShadow_2006/TF2/Contests/Mini%20Mapping%204/contest_4_ds_entry_10001.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/TheDarkestShadow_2006/TF2/Contests/Mini%20Mapping%204/contest_4_ds_entry_10002.jpg

Dox
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y111/ParadoxContemplation/blu_labs0001.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y111/ParadoxContemplation/blu_labs0002.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y111/ParadoxContemplation/blu_labs0005.jpg

Fearlezz
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s193/kimpan794/tf2mapsentryfearlezz0000.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s193/kimpan794/tf2mapsentryfearlezz0001.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s193/kimpan794/tf2mapsentryfearlezz0001.jpg

Youme
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28746141@N08/2828532771/sizes/o/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28746141@N08/2828532773/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28746141@N08/2828532775/

TheDarkerSideofYourShadow - 2nd entry
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/TheDarkestShadow_2006/TF2/Contests/Mini%20Mapping%204/contest_4_ds_entry_20000.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/TheDarkestShadow_2006/TF2/Contests/Mini%20Mapping%204/contest_4_ds_entry_20001.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/TheDarkestShadow_2006/TF2/Contests/Mini%20Mapping%204/contest_4_ds_entry_20002.jpg

Gygrazok
http://xs231.xs.to/xs231/08360/vxl10000936.jpg
http://xs231.xs.to/xs231/08360/vxl10001488.jpg
http://xs231.xs.to/xs231/08360/vxl10002506.jpg

Sgt Frag
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk59/Schwaa1147/blu_SgtFrag_01.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk59/Schwaa1147/blu_SgtFrag_02.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk59/Schwaa1147/blu_SgtFrag_03.jpg

Tigger
http://pics.livejournal.com/hmace/pic/0001bt4d
http://pics.livejournal.com/hmace/pic/0001f0sx
http://pics.livejournal.com/hmace/pic/0001f0sx

Banni
http://banni.f2s.com/tf2_mapping/contest4/compound_290008%20(7).jpg (http://banni.f2s.com/tf2_mapping/contest4/compound_290008%20%287%29.jpg)
http://banni.f2s.com/tf2_mapping/contest4/compound_290008%20(4).jpg (http://banni.f2s.com/tf2_mapping/contest4/compound_290008%20%284%29.jpg)
http://banni.f2s.com/tf2_mapping/contest4/compound_290008%20(4).jpg (http://banni.f2s.com/tf2_mapping/contest4/compound_290008%20%284%29.jpg)

Vander
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/2845004810_61180f1698_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/2845004758_7d257d4116_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/2845004686_fe58820bc1_b.jpg

elfworks
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn204/elfworks_photos/TF2_MiniMap_Contest/4e313269.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn204/elfworks_photos/TF2_MiniMap_Contest/3b60d668.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn204/elfworks_photos/TF2_MiniMap_Contest/6a8dd31f.jpg

MangyCarface
http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/360/entryb0003ou8.jpg
http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/490/entryb0002uh0.jpg
http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/6263/entryb0001mr0.jpg

[Snipergen]

Youme, TheDarkerSideofYourShadow, Sgt Frag (although less good lighting but still pretty good), Banni (also quite good but a bit small and blocky), and elfworks are the winners for me, and I think' i'm going to vote for youme. Elfworks was extremely close and I'm sure you'll get votes from other people too, but my vote this time goes to Youme.

Again, you all did great work and I bet you learned alot from it!

I made an ugly mistake that I wanted to try but it didn't turn out like I hoped: the roofs are models :(

[Dox]

I wish I could change my vote...

[Solynth]

Youme, you are insane... in the membrane. :P

[Snipergen]

I wish I could change my vote...

I hope you clicked wrong because... well voting for yourself in a contest... :sleep:

[YM]

Cast my vote, A tough decision as there are some very good works here.
One consistent thing I noticed thoughtout most entries was the lack of the proper static prop lighting, since this competition was all about the details I ruled out some of the entries due to some lighting issues.
Make sure that when detail counts you use the best settings at your disposal - makes lightmaps far better as well as lighting static props properly if they are half in shadow and half in light (http://forums.tf2maps.net/showthread.php?t=2994)

[Sgt Frag]

Well, I gotta say I liked them all so it was a hard choice.

But I voted for Gygrazok, I liked his scene and the water wheel.

I can't say I studied the lighting to much on any of the pics or even my own entry (it came down to just finishing). But it was fun and along with the Alpine theme has inspired me to start on another project.

Thanks for that lighting link Youme, I haven't seen that yet.

[MangyCarface]

My entry seems a little underrepresented in the picture department, I did post 3 or 4 pictures of it...

[Vander]

If someone could critique my entry I would be most grateful. I know that it's a bit dark, but what can be done to improve the lighting, etc...?

Really looking forward to seeing what I can do better the next time.

[Snipergen]

My entry seems a little underrepresented in the picture department, I did post 3 or 4 pictures of it...

Weird mangy, on my PC only 1 image showed? PM me on steam with 3 links.

[laghlagh]

elfworks one was the only original one.

[YM]

elfworks one was the only original one.

Define original, I think you've got the wrong definition... And we're not going for originality, we're going for best fitting the red/blu theme ;)

[Armadillo of Doom]

My vote goes for Gygrazok. His entry has a good combination of style, lighting, and attention to detail. I can see using that structure in a number of different environments. Which is not to say that the others aren't top notch as well, lol. I downloaded all of the entries in the previous thread as they were submitted, and I have not been disappointed. All of the contestants have earned a hearty kudos :)

[Bun]

Voted for Snipergen. Everyones was great, but I just liked it in a way...

[DJive]

+ front page poll and news incoming!

great work everyone, i am highly impressed.

[Sgt Frag]

If someone could critique my entry I would be most grateful. I know that it's a bit dark, but what can be done to improve the lighting, etc...?

Really looking forward to seeing what I can do better the next time.

Well, looks like I'm losing right now :crying: ( <lol) so I might not be a good source of advice but here goes...

As far as I remeber the club you were modelling does look like that. Been along long time since I saw that movie.

I'd say it's a really solid base structure but could use alot of details. I'd say it mostly just looks unfinished.
the ground displacement could use shape. even if it's just a tiny bit.
You could add a little more wood trim to the building maybe, just a few strips of another color to break it up.
some barrells and junk laying around, you have alot of open/plain ground space.

I think the one thing that does bother me is the lower stairs. Not the design reallly as I know you were trying to match something. But the tex alignment.
You should shift the tex on every stair. maybe rotate 180 on a few.
There's that ugly stripe that runs straight down all of them. It really stands out and draws attention.

-------------------
OK, I offered critiques so if anyone wants to critique mine :)
(already mentioned was that I probably should've put a little more into lighting)

[Tigger]

Actually I do have more pictures: Tigger's Blue Garage (http://pics.livejournal.com/hmace/gallery/0000bspb)

Also I would like to get some feedback on my building. I was trying for a desert, small town blue building feel. Route 66 and all that.

[MangyCarface]

This is tough. I may have to rip into some of the vmfs to check out the precision and craftsmanship, though I suspect Youme might win out there. Close calls, really not sure who to pick, wish we could do a "Top Three" or something :P

[Dox]

changing my vote to: TheDarkerSideofYourShadow- entry 1
From: me... clicked the wrong thing.

I can do that, right? Its totally official looking ^^

[TheDarkerSideofYourShadow]

For me, it was a toss up between Fearlezz, Gygarzok, and Sgt Frag. Sgt Frag's looks like something straight out of badwater, and I like the way he layered the buildings so that there are many different levels too it. Gygarzok has a very nice set up, though it looks like you can see the rock behind the tallest building through the window, and I think something would need to be done about the grain elevator. Fearlezz has an awesome building that fits the style perfectly. In the end, I had to just flip a coin (figuratively speaking of course, I don't have any 3 sided coins around).

Also, now I've got to make a map that incorporates my first entry, youme's and mangy's together. Maybe a hydro_2... :-D


Overall, great contest. Happy we got so many entries there in the end. How long is voting going to continue for?

[Sgt Frag]

Actually I do have more pictures: Tigger's Blue Garage (http://pics.livejournal.com/hmace/gallery/0000bspb)

Also I would like to get some feedback on my building. I was trying for a desert, small town blue building feel. Route 66 and all that.

I like your garage too. I think you could've squeezed more details in, oil cans and stuff especially since it's a garage. I think opening one of the front doors would've been good, would add a way through and just added more appeal to the front view.

Way too clean IMO. I think adding a bunch of dirty decals would be good. Stains on concrete and walls.

I think it might look better to with a brick tex on wall. That tex is just too clean and plain.

Alot of wasted space around it too. maybe put some dirt displacements in corners/edges with some catcus' and plants. Some fences around parts of it.

[ChronoTriggerFan]

My vote shall take a bit longer, because I'm going to look through each map in hammer and in game, to provide some feedback and a fairer vote. hopefully everyone will benefit this way.

[YM]

My vote shall take a bit longer, because I'm going to look through each map in hammer and in game, to provide some feedback and a fairer vote. hopefully everyone will benefit this way.

Since the contest was intended to be judged by a single ingame screenshot I implore you to do so since you have little way of telling what compile settings people have used, which means you may end up inspecting a different final product to what they produced.
By all means check them out in hammer and ingame but make a judgement on the posted screenshots

[Vander]

/voted Elfworks. Tough choice, I especially liked the entries from Gygrazok and Youme. Elfworks use of the 'more going on behind the scenes' theme clinched it for me.

Nice work by everyone and I was very excited to see so many entries! Can't wait for the next contest!

[LLamaBoy]

Tricky decision to make, is this. I'm going to be voting purely from visual appeal and my personal liking of the concepts.

MangyCarFace's border control station works very well, I can see it being used as a base entrance or checkpoint with a little modification. Seems a little sparse to me though, like it could use a little random debris in some corners or some overlays and decals.

I like the moody lighting in Vander's entry, gives the scene an active feel, like there's something happening in the shack. The car park is a nice addition too.

I like Fearlezz and Gygrazok's attempts a lot too, great detail and they give off the right feel of early century pre-industry. Similarly, TheDarkerSideOfYourShadow's second entry impressed me as well, I like the rocket at the top as a hit of something else going on behind the scenes

I think my vote will have to go to Elfworks though for the sheer ingenuity of putting a secret base room inside the oil tank. Lighting and aesthetics are also good, texturing seems spot on.

Looking forward to the next contest. Even just observing this one has given me a lot of tips on architectural style and details. Thanks to all the entrants!

[grazr]

Wow, this is hard.

Youme, snipergen, DarkerSideofYourShadow and Gygrazok have all entered stunners.

Snipergen, if you would have added perhaps a window or two or a door on the building in the far corner and fixed those track shadows i would have had to have voted for your entry.

But i think The DarkerSideofYourShadow's first entry takes it for me. That steam coming out of the vents is pretty awesome, though it could have done with smoke coming out of those chimney's rather than more steam. A shame about that dirt track overlay. Looks like you built cubemaps but didn't reload your map when taking screen shots.

You done very well emulating the neutral style of hydro.

edit: This pole seems to allow me to vote multiple times? It's still displaying the pole choices everytime i revisit this thread..despite the fact that i've voted.

Also, it's a little confusing that TDSYS's first entry is displayed after his second on that compilation of map screenshots. i almost voted for his second entry untill i checked the extra screen shots further down the page and saw what entry it actually was.

[YM]

Not much been said about VFIG's fine entry, would have been my second choice, its a fantastic example of the red style, its got all the key elements and nothing seems out of place.

[Vander]

Yeah, Velvet's entry made my short list of finalists. He definitely has the 'red' feel down pretty well.

BTW: I got 1 vote! Yes! I didn't think I would get any. Also, thanks for the kudos Llama.

[laghlagh]

Define original, I think you've got the wrong definition... And we're not going for originality, we're going for best fitting the red/blu theme ;)
I won't say it's a good entry if it's entry is just another mining shack. it may fit and all, but it won't be very interesting.

Aaaw, don't be sorry Youme, I liked your too!

[Sgt Frag]

Not much been said about VFIG's fine entry, would have been my second choice, its a fantastic example of the red style, its got all the key elements and nothing seems out of place.

I liked the looks of it too, he does have the red style down. Although this was one of the entries that I felt didn't have much 'playable area' which was probably a deciding factor for me on a few of the entries.

I thought the contest was about reuseability for the community as well as a 'beauty contest'. While it is still useable as a space filler, either to the side or in middle of play areas it's not accessable.

Minor detail I guess but one of the criteria I considered.

[Beetle]

not that it matters too much, but in the group shot you spell Tigger's name Trigger.

anyway, I voted for velvet because it was very-well fitted to the red theme, and its a believable structure.

[Fearlezz]

Ohh, so though decision. Don't know what to choose!

Edit:

Alright, after some serious thinking I decided to vote for elfworks. But then I changed my mind and wanted to vote for youme :D

These things always happens to me :P

Anyways great work everyone, amazing buildings.

[AWESOME-O]

oh well, i voted bonni, but i prob going to use a bit of tiggers prefab, not of any others, lol

[YM]

Alright, after some serious thinking I decided to vote for elfworks. But then I changed my mind and wanted to vote for youme :D
These things always happens to me :P

:blink: might have been better not to say :crying:



:P :laugh:

[MangyCarface]

Finally made my choice. I disagree with some of the interior decisions but TDSOYS did an excellent job on his second building, keeping a BLU theme while doing something different but still pulling off the blocky look. I believe I know exactly which picture from flickr he based his building on... I almost did that one myself.

This was a close call, but in the end his is the most visually pleasing to my eye overall and has a definite air of uniqueness.

[Tigger]

oh well, i voted bonni, but i prob going to use a bit of tiggers prefab, not of any others, lol


Dude... that's all the vote I need. WaaHoo!

[Tigger]

How long do we have to vote? I want to download the prefabs to check them out, but I'm being slammed at work. I may be a couple of days before I can check them out.

[TheDarkerSideofYourShadow]

Mangy, I'd like to see the picture you're talking about. I started a map based off a few pictures I took of my family's farm's dicondra mill. I stopped doing that after a while, but instead went with something that was still loosely based off of it.

Here are a few shots of our building.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/TheDarkestShadow_2006/TF2/inspiration/IMG_0129.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/TheDarkestShadow_2006/TF2/inspiration/IMG_0134.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/TheDarkestShadow_2006/TF2/inspiration/IMG_0136.jpg

[MangyCarface]

Huh, interesting. Anyway here's the pic, though it doesn't look perfectly like yours I think it has some of the same ideas http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/5238/443904699d5c5bbafafzs6.jpg

[Tigger]

I like your garage too. I think you could've squeezed more details in, oil cans and stuff especially since it's a garage. I think opening one of the front doors would've been good, would add a way through and just added more appeal to the front view.

Yeah... I tried to do that, but I couldn't animate the door to open and stay open. They animations on the model are open, close, or idle close. I should have just made them functioning doors and taken a screen shot with me standing in the doorway.

Way too clean IMO. I think adding a bunch of dirty decals would be good. Stains on concrete and walls.

Did that on the inside, not the outside. But the outside was more important for the visual appeal I see now.

I think it might look better to with a brick tex on wall. That tex is just too clean and plain.

Yeah... I got enamored with the southwest style of architecture. I was going for the desert adobe appearance, rather than the northeast blue style. And I hear you about more detail.

Alot of wasted space around it too. maybe put some dirt displacements in corners/edges with some catcus' and plants. Some fences around parts of it.

I wasn't sure whether to do ground displacement, because I worried it would discourage people from using it as a prefab. Far easier to add displacements to the ground if you're in charge of the entire ground. But the point is well taken. The outside just isn't interesting, except for the front of the building.

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'm going to take your suggestions and redo the garage in a more classical blue style to see if I actually learned something from this contest.

[drp]

submitted this to digg :D

[Colt Seavers]

my you've been busy 8-)

lovely work all :) Impressive and Dugg. Oh, and voted ;) Good luck!

[Dox]

Dr. Pepper, could you plase fix my vote to DSOYS entry one? I miss-clicked...

[elfworks]

Wow, thanks for all the votes!
(I subverted the paradigm, ... and, for once, it worked! Woo hoo! :) )

I'll admit I was up against some formidable opponents!

I've downloaded almost all the levels, but I can't seem to find Snipergen's VMF file.

Could someone point me to the link for his map?

Once I look at his map, I'll be ready to cast my vote.

Thanks again!


Snipergen
http://dumpedimage.com/images/4thbggok93smza160mj.jpg
http://dumpedimage.com/images/otpdz58i84e0xc6dmwgu.jpg

[Vander]

It just occurred to me....Elf and Nineaxis have there awards showcased under their name...where's Youme's? He DID win the very first contest we ever had. Give him some cred I say!

[Snipergen]

Wow, thanks for all the votes!
(I subverted the paradigm, ... and, for once, it worked! Woo hoo! :) )

I'll admit I was up against some formidable opponents!

I've downloaded almost all the levels, but I can't seem to find Snipergen's VMF file.

Could someone point me to the link for his map?

Once I look at his map, I'll be ready to cast my vote.

Thanks again!

I did not upload my map since I trust myself that I didn't go out of bounds, but I'll upload it if you want to take a look :)

http://forums.tf2maps.net/downloads.php?do=file&id=648

I think this is the right file, I didn't double check.

[YM]

where's Youme's? He DID win the very first contest we ever had. Give him some cred I say!

pffft I got my credit for that. But snipergen won the first texturing contest we ran, being the only entry.....doh!

Also, 149 diggs, 53 votes..... :ohmy:

[Sgt Frag]

I did not upload my map since I trust myself that I didn't go out of bounds, but I'll upload it if you want to take a look :)

http://forums.tf2maps.net/downloads.php?do=file&id=648

I think this is the right file, I didn't double check.


Well it was a 'prefab' contest too right?:p

[VelvetFistIronGlove]

Nice job elfworks!

[elfworks]

I did not upload my map since I trust myself that I didn't go out of bounds, but I'll upload it if you want to take a look :)

http://forums.tf2maps.net/downloads.php?do=file&id=648

I think this is the right file, I didn't double check.

Thanks! I wanted to make sure I checked out every map.


And, at least you won't have to disqualify yourself now! :P


-You have to upload the .vmf to prove you didn't exceed the limit.
-People are allowed to download your .vmf and use it in their maps as prefab. That's the risk you have to take! * With credit*

[elfworks]

I've cast my vote, but it was a tough choice.

There were a lot of entries that would make excellent skybox elements, and they really capture the TF2 feel. Even as skybox elements, all the entries fulfill the requirements of the contest, so they all deserve consideration.

Wandering around Snipergen's level helped me understand what he was looking for in this contest. His mini-map would be a great junction between 2-3 other segments.

VelvetFistIronGlove's early entry definitely set the tone, and it was an excellent example of Red barnyard style.

DarkerSide's Power Plant (?) is another great skybox element, but I would have liked to see some darker smoke out of those black chimneys. (This is way back in MCMLIX, long before those pesky environmental laws... :) )

DOX's BLU_Labs deserves a nod for style, and for adding a working elevator! (All those curved surfaces must have been painful to model? :) )

Fearlezz did a great job of filling the space allowed. Just wish I could get into the buildings. :)

Gygrazok is the first one to feel like a playable level - lots of detail, and places to crawl over. My only complaint - I kept falling through the riverbed and drowning!

I like that Sgt_Frag's level starts in a mini-spawn room, and the lighting and layout of the developed areas is pretty cool.

Tigger's garage has some interesting detail, like prop dynamic windows. It's too bad she was shortchanged on the screenshots. (http://pics.livejournal.com/hmace/gallery/0000bspb)

Banni's border checkpoint is a fun concept. A wry twist would be to put a BLU gate on one side of the border, and a RED on the other - guaranteeing at least one cavity search at every border crossing! :blushing:

Vander's Porky's set was an interesting idea, but wasn't the big joke that the building was built over/near a swamp? (P.S. Love that red car, but didn't see it in the download? "models/j_theory/car01.mdl")

MangyCarface's BLU Missile Dropoff is another good idea. I like the deco curves of the outbuilding. But - and this is the beer talking - those missiles stick out like Borat in a Speedo! :blink:

YouMe's building would have got my vote, but only one side of the model was detailed. (Great pillars of light and shade! The design harkens back to film classics like 'Shape of Things to Come' and 'Metropolis.')

However, when it comes down to pushing the button, I have to go with....

TheDarkerSideofYourShadow

On top of submitting two levels, they're both pretty cool.

Both are viewable from all sides. Nice shading. Great bits of submerged detail.

As for the 2nd entry: Great detail on the launch room - just wish you had time to finish the rest of the map! :)

Thanks to all for sharing your view of the TF2 world!

[YM]

Youme's building would have got my vote, but only one side of the model was detailed.

Doh! The contest was supposed to be voted on based upon one screenshot and one alone, the VMF was to make sure they statyed within the limits (they could be used as a prefab afterwards was an after though). I thought this quite clear and I'm fairly sure it was even said that it doesn't matter what you nodraw as long as the angle of your main screenshot is all correctly textured.

:mad:

[Solynth]

Doh! The contest was supposed to be voted on based upon one screenshot and one alone, the VMF was to make sure they statyed within the limits (they could be used as a prefab afterwards was an after though). I thought this quite clear and I'm fairly sure it was even said that it doesn't matter what you nodraw as long as the angle of your main screenshot is all correctly textured.

:mad:

This is true. I'm a bit annoyed that a lot of people are voting for reasons other than looking at the main screenshot. It would be better if you were only allowed 1 screenshot so there wouldn't be this mix up. :sneaky2:

[Banni]

Wow there's been some really good entries. For me, I've gone for Youme's entry. I like the 'columned' walls, and how they help convey a good sense of scale.
Thanks for the comments on my entry, really appreciated. So it's only fair I return a few comments on some of the others:

I like the parking area idea in Vander's build. However the steps just didn't seem quite right. Maybe it was being true to the original, but it seemed like they needed more rails, perhaps running down the diagonal?

I loved the simplicity of Tigger's garage. Those inspection pits were great. As someone mentioned above, a bit more dirt and detail would help give it an actual 'working' look.

TDSYS' blu building. had some great prop-work. A definite contender for me.

SgtFrag fills the space well. The texturing is also very nicely done, giving a consistent theme, without being repetitive.

Fearlezz's red build was very busy and organic, in a good way. The only issue I saw was some of the doors at ground level looked like they couldn't open, given how they intersect with the ground displacement.

[Vander]

I like the parking area idea in Vander's build. However the steps just didn't seem quite right. Maybe it was being true to the original, but it seemed like they needed more rails, perhaps running down the diagonal?

Thanks for the comments! I was not staying true to the original at all. Unfortunately I could only come up with one blurry screenshot of the outside of the reference building. I pulled another reference that I thought would work and made it based on it instead. You don't know how close I came to adding rails as you suggested!

Here is what I used as a reference, believe it or not, it's a duck hunting club, lol:

[Tigger]

Doh! The contest was supposed to be voted on based upon one screenshot and one alone, the VMF was to make sure they statyed within the limits (they could be used as a prefab afterwards was an after though). I thought this quite clear and I'm fairly sure it was even said that it doesn't matter what you nodraw as long as the angle of your main screenshot is all correctly textured.

:mad:


If it was only about the screenshots, then I would be truly annoyed because not all of my screenshots were listed at the top of the thread, and one of them was duped. :glare:

[Tigger]

I think the prefab part of the contest confused the issue of the best looking screen shot. Yes, the original contest rules stated you needed only one screen shot. But I viewed more favorably people who made the building look good from all sides, and even went and did interior detail. That for me made the building. Not if it was just a good looking building on the outside, but was it a good looking building I would put in my map as a prefab. And since the very first submission used multiple screen shots it raised the expectation the more viewable your building was, the more likely you were to get a vote.

That said, I wouldn't have voted for Darker Side's second building if it had one screenshot. But the detail all around and inside clinched it for me. It was a great building from every angle, and I really appreciated that.

[elfworks]

Doh! The contest was supposed to be voted on based upon one screenshot and one alone, the VMF was to make sure they statyed within the limits (they could be used as a prefab afterwards was an after though). I thought this quite clear and I'm fairly sure it was even said that it doesn't matter what you nodraw as long as the angle of your main screenshot is all correctly textured.

:mad:

I can understand your frustration, but given that the guy who started the contest (Snipergen) uploaded two screen shots of his level, it might be hard to argue that the rules limited you to one screen shot. ;)

FWIW, I did look at the five other images you linked in your submission. I even downloaded the VMF file and walked around.

[Solynth]

You don't have to make the back of your building if you can't see it, you only need 1 render of your building anyways so who cares what is nodrawed or not That's what Snipergen said.

[Sgt Frag]

I'd have to agree that the first post with multiple screens confused the whole point of the contest to start if it was only based on one screeny.

It was a fun contest anyway. Conrats to the winner!

[Tigger]

*pokes the poll*

I think it's done... Any last votes?

[Snipergen]

Allright, voting is over (if somebody could stop the voting I would be happy, I still want to allow comments on this thread but idk how to stop the voting)

Congrats, again, to elfworks, one of the best/the best submission. I think that 2nd medal will shine great next to your 1st one! (Djive?)

And I'd like to thank all of you guys who entered because you all did a fantastic job and you did give the community some cool prefabs to work with after all :)

[elfworks]

Allright, voting is over (if somebody could stop the voting I would be happy, I still want to allow comments on this thread but idk how to stop the voting)

Congrats, again, to elfworks, one of the best/the best submission. I think that 2nd medal will shine great next to your 1st one! (Djive?)

And I'd like to thank all of you guys who entered because you all did a fantastic job and you did give the community some cool prefabs to work with after all :)

Wow, thanks to everyone!!

After my fumbling mis-steps in the last (Overlay) contest, I figured this contest was going to be two for two! :)

Unlike my first win, I really faced some stiff competition in this round, and I'd like to thank my fellow contestants. If I hadn't had so much free time, any of the other entries could easily have won.

They were truly, ... formidable opponents (http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/179263/august-13-2008/formidable-opponent---offshore-drilling)!

In closing, all I can say is... I'm glad that no one actually tried to run VVIS on my level! ( I let it run overnight on a quad core processor, and it was nowhere near done by the next day! :confused: )

If anyone has tips on how I could optimize this level, please, send me the links! :)

P.S. I also have to give a big shout out to Tigger! Her knowledge of the Hammer editor saved me many hours of frustrated searching, and this mini-map benefited greatly from her help.

[grazr]

Since there was no need to optimise it i'm surprised you didn't func_detail all the geometry. You could have kept 2 versions, a usable prefab (if you desired) and the func_detail that would have been a nice and fast compile for the competition.

But for a quad core processor to take over night and longer to compile such a small level?? Is incredibly odd. I can only guess it was the circular chamber.. Avante takes less than an hour for me to compile (on dual core).. but it's heavily optimised with func_details and hint brushes.

Oh, and congradulations :)

I really wish i had time for this one.

[MangyCarface]

Err... no compile, save maybe for -final, should take over 40 minutes, especially on quad core... func_detail more, definitely

[elfworks]

Since there was no need to optimise it i'm surprised you didn't func_detail all the geometry. You could have kept 2 versions, a usable prefab (if you desired) and the func_detail that would have been a nice and fast compile for the competition.

But for a quad core processor to take over night and longer to compile such a small level?? Is incredibly odd. I can only guess it was the circular chamber.. Avante takes less than an hour for me to compile (on dual core).. but it's heavily optimised with func_details and hint brushes.

Oh, and congradulations :)

I really wish i had time for this one.

Err... no compile, save maybe for -final, should take over 40 minutes, especially on quad core... func_detail more, definitely


Thanks for the feedback!

I only learned about func_detail shortly before the end of the contest. Pretty much everything was set as a prop_static - including most of the grass! :blink:

Tigger said one of the problems was that the interior of the oil tank was visible to the rest of the map. I guess this is where vis_leaves (sp?) might help...

I'll definitely be more careful with the upcoming Payload map contest!

[Tigger]

Well I want to thank everyone who entered the contest. For me, it was a chance to learn. And I really felt I did learn. So much I went back and redid my submission from what I learned from everyone else's entries. I think it's much closer to the spirit of the contest than before.

Before and after photos:

Old Gallery: http://pics.livejournal.com/hmace/gallery/0000bspb
New Gallery: http://pics.livejournal.com/hmace/gallery/0000csad


The front:

http://pics.livejournal.com/hmace/pic/0001a309
http://pics.livejournal.com/hmace/pic/0001yder

The back:

http://pics.livejournal.com/hmace/pic/0001kz00
http://pics.livejournal.com/hmace/pic/00028f22

The inspection pit:

http://pics.livejournal.com/hmace/pic/0001gdak
http://pics.livejournal.com/hmace/pic/000247df

The trucks:

http://pics.livejournal.com/hmace/pic/0001f0sx
http://pics.livejournal.com/hmace/pic/00021qad


The roof line:

http://pics.livejournal.com/hmace/pic/0001p0w4
http://pics.livejournal.com/hmace/pic/00029k8a

Again, thanks all. Can't wait to start on the next contest. :thumbup1:

[Vander]

Nice effort man! Maybe I will go back sometime and fix my entry.

[MangyCarface]

Good job, it looks like you learned a lot from the contest- the precise point of holding it!

[Vander]

Rules:
-1024x2048 limits, that's the size you get to build your building on.
-No 3dskybox, nothing outside the 1024x2048 limit. Height doesn't matter. Go nuts.
-Custom models/props/textures/overlays are allowed
-Need an ingame render (you can use your skybox texture as long as it's a TF2 or a custom one)
-You have to upload the .vmf to prove you didn't exceed the limit.
-People are allowed to download your .vmf and use it in their maps as prefab. That's the risk you have to take! * With credit*
-You don't have to make the back of your building if you can't see it, you only need 1 render of your building anyways so who cares what is nodrawed or not
-Submit your ingame render and .vmf before 10 September 2008 in the upload thread!
-Only 2 entries are allowed for each mapper.


Heh, just wanted to point out that 5 of the 13 entries were NOT uploaded to the contest entry section of the downloads. It would be really cool if those who didn't upload their entry could do so. Especially considering the winner didn't upload! Doh!

:blink:

*edit* Come to think of it, Sniper didn't upload either. For shame!

[TheDarkerSideofYourShadow]

He did post a link in this thread somewhere, because some did ask about it.

[elfworks]

Heh, just wanted to point out that 5 of the 13 entries were NOT uploaded to the contest entry section of the downloads. It would be really cool if those who didn't upload their entry could do so. Especially considering the winner didn't upload! Doh!

:blink:

*edit* Come to think of it, Sniper didn't upload either. For shame!

D'oh! :blush:

Sorry for the delay in replying. Too many distractions...

I have remedied the problem, and the file can now also be found in the downloads section. (http://forums.tf2maps.net/downloads.php?do=file&id=702)

In my defense, I did include a link to the file when I submitted my entry on the upload thread. :)

P.S. Call me blind, but I can't seem to find the direct link to this page from the top level of the forum: :confused:
http://forums.tf2maps.net/downloads.php
(I think that's one of the reasons the file never made it to the right place. )