Updated Jan. 11, 2004
See also: Editors - Effects - Terrain - Vertex Manipulation - Changing Levels - Leafs -
And: Getting Started - a Newbie Mapper's Guide
New Jan. 2004: Making a Sphere in Hammer

Links to Resources

Mapping Primer @ Frank Clan

Creating Worlds: Better Level Design - emphasis on improving quality of maps, rather than technical advice on making doors etc.

Box.rmf - very simple map, demonstrates basic principles of level design

Rules for Novice Mappers by Firebinder

Making a Sphere by MazeMaster -

Basic Building by Court Jester

Think about trouble before it starts

• Troubleshooting the Wild Half-Life Bug
• Poly-Count Blues
• Crash - entity trouble can crash Half-Life

Spiral Staircase Design

Brushes needed for spiral staircase -

• Central column - tall block, eight sides (or however many sides you like)
• Steps - four-sided blocks shaped into wedges - arrange these around the central column
• Enclosure - brushes to go around the staircase, with openings for player access (unless this is a free-standing staircase).

For precise brush design, use the Vertex Tool.