What Do You Do To Get Out Of Ruts

moultano · October 2003

<div class="IPBDescription">when everything you make sucks.</div> I had a bout with this recently. Then last night me and a friend went and explored the old steam tunnels under campus. We managed to find our way into every major building entirely underground. We also found out afterwards that trespassing down there is an expellable offense. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'> . Anyways, that managed to get me out of my rut for the most part. What do you do to deal with mapper's block?

RPG_Jssmfulhud · October 2003

I lay the mapping off for a few days/weeks/.....months...... And generally, my imagination starts up again... <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>

Thaldarin · October 2003

Take some time off, play some new games that will inspire & look at the work of others no matter how good/bad you think it is. Commenting on peoples work helps your imagination and to improve your map so far ^_^

Wurmspawn · October 2003

A big source of inspiration for me is the architecture at my university, lots of varied styles and many built in the 80s (which seem as if they were made in WC) and of course utilities areas. but if i've truly hit a rut i try doodling completely random shapes until i find a pattern i like. and if that doesn't work i just waste time instead of mapping. i guess i've been lucky in that mapping ruts for me haven't lasted long or impacted me in the way they would professionals.

gj on not getting caught. i was studying with my friend yesterday in an off-limits area, not that her or i knew this (they should really lock doors) and was confronted by a surprised maintenance guy.

Morden · October 2003

Lots and lots of techno.. loud techno... like... epic trance.. loud. That usually does it for me when i'm mapping. When i'm writing essays its funk music.. go figure. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'>

BigD · October 2003

Heh, I too get alot of inspiration from my university. The difference is, my school was built in the mid '90s and has some really neat architecture that is rather tricky to bring into Hammer. Lots and lots of triangles. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'>

But, another way I get myself out of a rut is go mapping for something else. Like good old Starcraft. It's so easy to build a map in starcraft, drag and drop. It gets you looking at different problems and different angles. It just gets you <i>thinking</i> different, I find anyway.

blueman · October 2003

i hate those times. i just wonder around the 300Mbs of JPEgs of other maps i got so if something inspires me or i try to watch some films related to the map background. Music sometimes help, but not that much.

RPG_Jssmfulhud · October 2003

Musuci (at least in my case) can be an extremely strong element in your imagination. I always listen to some atmospheric music, whether I'm role-playing or mapping. It has to fit the 'scene' and you're set. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>

2_of_Eight · October 2003

I have an urge to map, and I have billions of [realizible] ideas... but my video card won't allow me to use Hammer. I've yet to install Quark and whatever it needs to work... Python or something.
Should I get Geforce 256? Is it any good? Is it cheap <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'>?

amckern · October 2003

i get ideas on the dunny, or out back mowing the grass

sp ns, came from mowing the grass (single Player NS), and <a href='http://mods.moddb.com/374/' target='_blank'>aEW</a> came from sitting on the dunny

Also, useing drag and drop progarsm gets you thinking i wish i could make that road over there for my bf42 truck a little steaper, with out useing charmer, or why can't my peons climb that wall?
Dam why don't i just go back to hammer...

amckern

Mouse · October 2003

<a href='http://www.artbyfeng.com' target='_blank'>Art By Feng</a>

If that doesn't work I listen to music. Or 'steal' existing architectural styles and make them my own. The arches in the ns_hydrosity double node; Arabic. The pillars on the way to the hive in co_dante; gothic.

sexeh · October 2003

Well my way of dealing with creative ruts is to just start playing around with brushes and textures till i come up with something that works. The smallest detail can spark an idea for a room hallway etc.

The most important thing is to be CREATING as much as possible, and sooner or later something will work.

Confused · October 2003

i suggest playing ns for a while.
the other idea is to start a new map and see what happens.

WarpZone · October 2003

I picked one good detailed 256x256 NS2.wad texture, sliced the brush into pieces following the texture's lines, and then extrapolated from there. I ended up coming up with a REALLY nice short hallway. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>

What Do You Do To Get Out Of Ruts

Comments