TF2 Mapping-Link Resources

DJive

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Dec 20, 2007
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NEW VERSION OF THIS LIST, CLICK HERE
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TF2 Level Editing & Modeling Link Resources


"CTRL+F" is your best friend here.

--> Getting Started with Source Engine Level Editing - The Setup

--> Feedback - On posting new links in this Thread.


Color Legend
* Main Topics in Orange.
* Topics in bold.
* Sub Topics are marked in yellow.
* Important information is marked in Green.

What this Resource includes:

Getting started guide
Explains step by step what you need to do to get the SDK and Hammer World Editor working on your computer!

An extensive list of tutorials covering just about everything!
This list is constantly being updated and expanded upon, look out for the featured tutorials!

Level Editing Articles
These articles discuss a broad range of topics. They range from mapping for competitive TF2 to lighting to simple prop visibility control. Must read articles for anyone who wants to further understand game design for any game.

Tools to help you share and customize your maps
Need a file sharing site? Looking for that Photoshop or 3DS Plugin?




Still can't find what you are looking for?
Try the Archived TF2maps.net Level Editing Forum Threads
 
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DJive

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aa
Dec 20, 2007
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Getting Started with Source Engine Level Editing
The Setup

Download Source SDK Level Design software
1. Open up Steam Tools. click the gray "Source SDK" then "Install" on the bottom right
2. Install may take a while. Once done "Source SDK" will now be white in the "Tools" tab.

Configuring Hammer Editor for Team Fortress 2.
3. Open "Source SDK". On the screen select "team fortress 2" in the drop down.
s1.jpg


4. Double Click on the Hammer Editor "top" and it should open now.

5. Once open go to Tools>Options.

6. Select "Team Fortress 2" from the drop down and make sure the following is filled in.
s2.jpg


7. Once correct hit apply/ok.

8. Now go to File>New and start mapping!
Feedback

Post all of your known links here in this thread to help out other mappers.

--> Please check to make sure the link is not in the list below before you post!
--> Please only post relevant information.
--> Please let us know if any of the links are dead or have new URLs.
--> Broken links are marked with ***, if you know replacement links, post them!
Also note:

Visit TF2Maps.net for the most up to date level editing links and news.

-
 
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DJive

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aa
Dec 20, 2007
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General Level Editing Links

---------------
TF2Mappers Chat Log
In the the TF2maps Steam chat many questions are asked and answered.
----------------​


Architecture, Environment & Level Design

Displacements

Errors, Help with
FAQs

File Hosting
*This is the preferred and best way to do off-site file hosting/sharing

General Help


Lighting

Mapping Communities and General Sites

Map files

Optimization Guides / Techniques - All these are a MUST to read




Prop Library:
  • Prop Library - Contains 850 props across 19 categories. Amazing. By A Boojum Snark

SDK Resource:
  • Improved FGD - Fixes to SDK, great for mappers. By A Boojum Snark

Screenshot | Image Hosting

Sky's and Skybox's

Sound Effects
 
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DJive

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aa
Dec 20, 2007
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Tutorials

---Here you will find many links to "how-to's" and "step-by-step's" For search reasons, some of the links will be multiple.
-----IE. whats found under "displacements" may also be under "how to create a cliff"

Your First Room:

Cliffs:

Stairs:

Cubemaps:

Detail:

Displacements:
Doors:
Elevator / Lift:
Forward Spawn Room:


Game Types:

Custom Menu:

Layout Help:

Overlays:

SkyBox:
Texture Creation:
Tool Use: (Work in progress)


Water:

YouTube SDK Video: - If you prefer watching and learning
 
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DJive

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aa
Dec 20, 2007
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Useful Tools​

Map Packing / Distributing
  • Pakrat - Used to embed custom textures, Sounds, and Models in the .bsp file
  • 7-zip - Used to compress your .bsp's into .bsp.bz2's saving a TON of file size
  • Winrar - Great zipping utility
Map Decompiling / Extraction Tools
  • GCFScape - Explore GCF directories and extract files.
  • VMEX - Decompile BSP maps into VMF files.
Model / 3D Editors
Texture Editors/Resources

Photo Referencing and Inspiration:
Industrial photography, history and architecture
 
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DJive

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aa
Dec 20, 2007
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Guys;

This is a constant work-in-progress to us all. Please check this out and post any and ALL comments, links, changes, ETC you'd like to see. Please add Idea's as well.

Lets get a nice one-stop thread going for people starting up, and advanced users to have easy to find/access mapping resources.
 

DJive

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aa
Dec 20, 2007
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Added.

Thank you, i was wondering where that link was =p
 

drp

aa
Oct 25, 2007
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holy shit this is good. thanks.
might want to sticky this too.
 

DJive

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aa
Dec 20, 2007
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DJive

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aa
Dec 20, 2007
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02/20/08: Added a bunch more links, really useful stuff under Optimization now, recommended EVERYONE check that stuff out.

Come on guys, post your links =)
 

DJive

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aa
Dec 20, 2007
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Shameless Bump, for tons-o-updates.

Guys please. if it's not listed, make sure to comment so we can add it =)
 

DJive

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aa
Dec 20, 2007
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Thanks a bunch Trackhed.

Added.
 

DJive

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aa
Dec 20, 2007
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Awesome, Added. I do a lot of my own brushwork so those links I'm sure will come in very handy. *sigh* i should really do modeling instead of brushes lol