Plotting / Planning Utilities

Rick

Does anyone know of some decent utilities to plan out maps? I'm sure there are some ones commonly used other than your basic image editors.

Well? <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->

c4x

Coming up with a map layout isn't something that should take long enough to warrant someone writing a "map layout tool". Pen and paper is fine. Even opening up an image editing program to layout your map is, in my opinion, too much. A lot of the best level designers out there don't even layout their map before-hand. They get an idea in their head and run with it in the editor.

People are putting way too much effort into creating a layout for their map, when that extra time could be spent in the editor or on the <a href='http://www.valve-erc.com' target='_blank'>Valve-ERC</a> looking up the answers to their basic questions.

evoLvingeviL

We need more FAQs. And the FAQ links should be 72 points in size to take up the first screen of the forums.

And there should be a little digital fist the pops out of the screen and bonks n00bies. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

Bish0p

microsoft paint is all you need <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

evoLvingeviL

IDEA.

PENCIL.

PAPER.

VHE.

Done.

If I'm stuck in a corner, I sometimes screenshot the overhead view in VHE and see what I come up with in paint, though.

Rick

1: I'm not planning on making the map myself.
2: I don't have a scanner.
3: Image editors are too tedious to work with pathing. (IE: Removing sections) Without breaking the currently existing layout.

BiTMAP

if your not mapping WHY THE HELL SHOULD YOU BE TRYING TO PLAN OUT A MAP?


Leave that to mappers..

evoLvingeviL

Make that a BIG digital fist. With metal spikes. And skulks. And electrocution.

Cash_Car_Star

I recommend <a href='http://www.zombo.com' target='_blank'>http://www.zombo.com</a>
The only limit is yourself

Rick

<!--QuoteBegin--BiTMAP+Nov 17 2002, 12:48 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (BiTMAP @ Nov 17 2002, 12:48 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->if your not mapping WHY THE HELL SHOULD YOU BE TRYING TO PLAN OUT A MAP?


Leave that to mappers..<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Because I don't plan on attempting it untill I learn about the Natural-Selection specific entities, etc.

nrby

Worldcraft is pretty good for that.

BiTMAP

they are pretty simple and explanitory, They say exactly what they do, and the best way to learn is to try things out.

Xanieth

<img src='http://www.bol.ucla.edu/~mrolek/nsnuke.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

Ok, but seriously, just read a few FAQs Rick, and then make a few simple maps. And you don't need to scan a sketch in to make a map. I would think it's worse to do that.

BiTMAP

if you MUST plan use something like autocad for the basic rooms and halls... Its whay i did

Rick

<!--QuoteBegin--Xanieth+Nov 17 2002, 08:39 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Xanieth @ Nov 17 2002, 08:39 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--><img src='http://www.bol.ucla.edu/~mrolek/nsnuke.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

Ok, but seriously, just read a few FAQs Rick, and then make a few simple maps. And you don't need to scan a sketch in to make a map. I would think it's worse to do that.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Look, I am <i>not</i> trying to learn how to map through planning it out, I want to be able to change things in a map's plan with ease, <b>that</b> is the reason I asked about it, if you really think it's newbie-ish to ask for such a thing, then don't reply to my post, ok?

0see3

Don't let it bother you rick. Some like to selectively forget that they had to start somewhere as well. As for planning it out, find some graph paper, that's always seemed the way to go for me, and even if you don't have a scanner, any basic painting program you can get, you can lay down a grid and create it that way. I would say try messing around first, then see what you come up with by just playing with mapping programs. Sometimes an idea will come from a mistake, and help you create an entire map based on it.

BiTMAP

<!--QuoteBegin--Rick+Nov 17 2002, 07:56 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Rick @ Nov 17 2002, 07:56 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin--Xanieth+Nov 17 2002, 08:39 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Xanieth @ Nov 17 2002, 08:39 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--><img src='http://www.bol.ucla.edu/~mrolek/nsnuke.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

Ok, but seriously, just read a few FAQs Rick, and then make a few simple maps. And you don't need to scan a sketch in to make a map. I would think it's worse to do that.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Look, I am <i>not</i> trying to learn how to map through planning it out, I want to be able to change things in a map's plan with ease, <b>that</b> is the reason I asked about it, if you really think it's newbie-ish to ask for such a thing, then don't reply to my post, ok?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
no you just said you wern't planning on mapping, which bothers me when idiots who don't desire anything but to jack off come in and start pulling **obscenity** like ns_dust out of there **obscenity**.

I'm find if your actualy going to sit down and learn to map though, Its a great hobby, and can lead to you getting paid sometimes.

Mafukie

It's funny how people flame each other on the board, well actually its annoying.

BiTMAP, why don't you just give some worthy advice than flame Rick? Or are you
-Too much of a newbie- to post something that takes thought. People who think
tend to make a lot of money, so instead of being a snotty little map b-i-t-c-h all of
your life help people out.

FYI: Think before you post.

Thanks

Rick

<!--QuoteBegin--BiTMAP+Nov 17 2002, 11:05 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (BiTMAP @ Nov 17 2002, 11:05 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->no you just said you wern't planning on mapping, which bothers me when idiots who don't desire anything but to jack off come in and start pulling **obscenity** like ns_dust out of there **obscenity**.

I'm find if your actualy going to sit down and learn to map though, Its a great hobby, and can lead to you getting paid sometimes.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm sorry if I mistated my intentions. I have mapped for other engines. (Quake & Quake 2), I know the basics of mapping in general, i've done mapping for the Quake engines (Quake, Quake 2, & Jedi Knight: Jedi Outcast, to be specific). I don't plan on creating low quality maps, as I don't like the idea of maps like ns_dust either.

BiTMAP

Did i post about autocad? If not here it is, It might be a good program to try out, I myself use newsprint paper (i have a large 12 x 16 pad of it) with pen and gray marker (to block out what is void so that i can not get confused with my majorly complex map.).


and mafukie its actualy more amusing to see how many people don't read whats written, I may be a newb to this forum But I'm not a HL newb..

Wolv

[On topic]
My personal preference lies in first drawing a very simple scetch on paper and then working it out in the editor itself, using large blocks.
If you're using QuArK you can instantly convert this into a level you can run around in by putting them into a wallmaker duplicator.

This method allows you to work on scale, 3D and easily editable, and even run around in it to see how long it takes to get places or how vis likes that long corridor with all those conneting rooms.[/on topic]

Wolv

Hmm.. puny forum can't handle my .png example, will try .jpg now (twice the size, half the quality).

SamR

I have created this little method for myself for making maps, which I am quite proud of. I draw the plan on scrap bits of paper, around 10cm by 7cm (but you can make them any size you like), draw on one, and then attach it to another piece of paper by masking tape, then carry on the plan. Then if I don't like what I've done, I can remove one of the bits of paper, and put another one in it's place.

That way, you can change various routes, without having to start all over again.

I would scan this in, but I'd have to install my scanner... <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='confused.gif'><!--endemo-->

Rob

I do NOT want to have to go through this again. Everyone is welcome here, except thoughs who flame others.

Get your heads on straight or leave, that's all there is to it.