AreaPortals

[[FT] Andy]

I've stared work on my first map and i'm currently working on optimization after reading many guides. 2 areas of the map are seperated by a wide doorway and so i have placed an area portal there. However, the other side of the doorway still renders when standing in certain positions:
working:

not working after taking a few steps back:

[Zephyr]

Looks perfectly normal to me, it renders the full object if you can see any part of it, don't worry about it, it's working properly and will help it run smoothly even if you don't notice it.

[grazr]

Possibly, you are rendering the other side from above (through the skybox), a bug in your visleaf set up.

You also have a very perculiar triangle placement on your textures. It doesn't look like you're using any hint brushes; are you?

[[FT] Andy]

i havent placed any hint brushes as of yet. What should the wireframe look like on the textures?

[grazr]

Well it's pretty hard to see how you've actually constructed your geometry but it's very messy. Plus a lot of your textures are misalligned.

Is your skybox just a flat brush over the top of your map or is it like a square bubble?

[[FT] Andy]

here is how i've contrusted the walls

and the skybox

[grazr]

Ah, i see now. here, this is why your areaportal doesn't "seem" to work.



I suggest adding a hint brush across the plane i illustrated in green. It is a good idea to have several at different heights due to people being thrown in the air by explosions etc.

edit: I updated the image (with better wording). You might want to refresh the page.

[[FT] Andy]

i see, thanks for the help

[[FT] Andy]

damn, it hasn't worked, would the ramp cause any problems with the visleafs ?

[grazr]

it would cut up your leaf nodes more if it was standard brush work. You could tie it to func_detail but for the most part it would only reduce compile time, i believe; and not even by that much.

Check out the command mat_leafvis 1 and mat_leafvis 3 to view your leafnodes.

I'm not sure what else to add i'm afraid, other than maybe the area is being rendered through those side corridors, from your main area.

edit: could you upload the vmf? That way i could take a look for myself at what's happening.

edit2: Are those areaportal windows in those corridor exits/entrances? if they are, when you walk out into the main area, you will be opening those areaportals (if you are within the fade distance required to deactivate their effects). Effectively opening the other area up despite the closed door.