Creating Game levels...

[cris castro]

unreal editor for building levels;
http://udn.epicgames.com/Main/WebHome

[kwshipman]

Head on over to 3dbuzz and download their videos on UnrealEd and Quake. Some dont like the videos, I personally do as thye are very informative and somewhat humorus.

There are a couple of approaches to making a level. You can make it out of all BSP and Meshes that come with the game, or you can model and texture your own stuff, which is a bit harder.

What software are you useing? Some of the newer game ship with an editor, i.e. UT2k2&4 w/Maya, HL2 w/XSI.

ALso dont forget about other games like FarCry and Morrowind. (the later can be picked up for about $20 and has a great editor)

[GrahamHRoss]

Well, I haven't really downloaded any editors other that Anvil for HL. If UT2k can be edited with Maya, that would definetly be a plus since I'm comfortable using Maya and 3dsMax more than those level editors.

[Razorwolf]

I'd advise to first learn the basics of either Maya or 3dsmax, it will help you alot.

[RmachucaA]

you forgot to mention XSI|Softimage Razorwolf :D

[Razorwolf]

I intentionally didn't mention it. XSI may be good, that doesn't mean you should use it. There's tons of game plugins for Max and a little less for Maya but not much for XSI. Game art communities thrive on Max art or Maya Art, while I rarely see XSI. It's just easier.

[RmachucaA]

with HL2 coming out, a LOT more ppl are going to start using XSI to create\modify\imp\exp. content into the game.... not to mention current games in dev. that use xsi. Although if somone wants to use other software go right ahead, im just voicing my opnion.

[commy]

yup xsi is speedily catching up and with realtime content becomeing closer to prerendered stuff xsi's advanatges will be transfereing ove rinto the game world, dont forget the zilions of games thta game out useing the hl engine or a modded verison of it anyways

[Razorwolf]

1. HL2 is nowhere near out.
2. I know that it's catching up.

XSI wouldn't be a good idea for me personally, just my opinion. I'd rather work with Max etc because third party game tools (like Battlefield tools) depend on max plugins. So, I'll state it like this: if you're totally into HL² modding, you can try XSI :).Also don't forget, that once you know how to use a 2D/3D package, your success depends on your art skills.

Of course, knowing the 3D package is not a necessity but it will help.

Also, for starters do what kwshipman said. You can find "the future of learning" at this link: http://sv3.3dbuzz.com/vbforum/unr_main.php

[red3d]

my oppinion is that maya/unreal editor gives you the best creative workflow of all the leveleditors out there at the moment.

xsi/hl2 love too test it, and i will when hf2 is released,but until that im sticking with maya/unreal

/Redrum_3d

[antweiler]

i dont think xsi will be very important for games in the near future.

it is good, but it takes longer for the gamecommunity to switch than vfx or animationpeople, because the workflow is more connected to the tools.

look how much better maya is for animation than max, but even though it also cheaper, so many studios still use max.

[Schwinnz]

Originally posted by red3d
my oppinion is that maya/unreal editor gives you the best creative workflow of all the leveleditors out there at the moment.

xsi/hl2 love too test it, and i will when hf2 is released,but until that im sticking with maya/unreal

/Redrum_3d

Have you tried max+unreal editor ?

Why do you think maya+unreal gives the best workflow ?

[Razorwolf]

Cuz Epic is working together with the makers of Maya :p

[Schwinnz]

The feeling that I get is more Maya trying to get new customers, cuz stuff has been made with 3ds, maya, I've also seen lightwave used...

[RmachucaA]

well... to end this discussion, i'll just say this:

Software packages are becoming more and more compatible amongst themselves.... so in reality the determining factor is what software package you feel more comfortable with. I have no problems at all taking my xsi models into max or maya.... or vice-versa, so what it comes down to in reality is personal preference.

[SirLuthor]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I figure it's close, right?

For about a year now I've been thinking about learning to build levels for games. I was hoping you guys could give me some advice or sites on where I could go to start learning. Right now, I think HL, COunterstrike, UTK and Quake 3 are probobably my best bet to get started.

So, got any tips?


As someone said earlier, I would go with a game like Morrowind. It has a quite powerful editor, which is simple enough that you can learn enough to be competent in it after, say, 5 hours, if you have the right tutorials. Plus, it has a really strong modding community here, see one of the lower boards (http://www.elderscrolls.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php), just full of people who are willing to help (as long as you are polite..) Just for the record, I happen to be one of them, and have more then a few mods under my belt, and a total conversion which is in progress. So I know what I'm talking about here ;)

Umm, the only real downside with Morrowind is that you can not modify the source coding, and you have to have 3DS Max version 3/4/5 if you want to use your own models, as the .nif (NetImmerse Format) exporter only works for those.. Otherwise, you will have to get someone else to convert your models :)

But I'm beginning to ramble... So, to sum everything up, I would really suggest starting with Morrowind, as it's very easy to learn, and there is a large community where you can always get good help from good people :D

[kwshipman]

Double post

[kwshipman]

Originally posted by SirLuthor
As someone said earlier, I would go with a game like Morrowind. It has a quite powerful editor, which is simple enough that you can learn enough to be competent in it after, say, 5 hours, if you have the right tutorials. Plus, it has a really strong modding community here, see one of the lower boards (http://www.elderscrolls.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php), just full of people who are willing to help (as long as you are polite..) Just for the record, I happen to be one of them, and have more then a few mods under my belt, and a total conversion which is in progress. So I know what I'm talking about here ;)

I have a wip over there too. (http://www.elderscrolls.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=2531140&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=2&fpart=1) My only problem is that I am an XSI user, so getting my models and textures into the game is a little tricky.

[SirLuthor]

Nice stuff you have there! As for meshing, If you can't get someone to .nif your models, (you have made models, not so?) just start a thread about it... It did wonders for me! Got three people offering to convert my files into .nif...

Manor is quite nice, that's the kind of house I would like to stay in, if I didn't spend all my time modding...

[JeePee]

the half-life map builder (i've worked with worldcraft/hammer)
has very cool capabilitys, it is possible to create very interactive events and scripted stuff (without coding) so if you're into that kind of stuff i would definatily recommend it.

[ICO88]

Does any one know a good site that gives good modeling and artistic tips for making realtime enviorments. Not just how to build a bsp mesh but a real cool tutorial on how to make a cool looking level. Theres tons out there for character design but none for level design. Im thinking the creative aspect and not the tech side of working an editor or making a mesh

[kwshipman]

Originally posted by ICO88
Does any one know a good site that gives good modeling and artistic tips for making realtime enviorments. Not just how to build a bsp mesh but a real cool tutorial on how to make a cool looking level. Theres tons out there for character design but none for level design. Im thinking the creative aspect and not the tech side of working an editor or making a mesh

Well, the twice mentioned 3dbuzz videos on Unreal ED and Quake are awesome, also check out:

http://www.leveldesigner.com/forums/
http://wiki.beyondunreal.com/wiki

[marque-pierre]

Originally posted by Razorwolf
Cuz Epic is working together with the makers of Maya :p

Is that so? I remember an interview with Cliffy B., Lead Designer from Epic, where he stated that their artists use Maya, Max, Lightwave, XSI or whatever they want. As long as it can be extended into the engine, then he doesn't care, and the company will get them the software they want.

[TRyanD]

Unreal baby :P

If your more comfortable with maya then ued is the way to go, most of the maps in unreal 2kX are basically models, with a bit of bsp or terrain to fill in the rest. Plus lighting and bot pathing, but all that should be easy if you can model and make textures along with having a imagination.

[eMPeck]

Originally posted by kwshipman
Well, the twice mentioned 3dbuzz videos on Unreal ED and Quake are awesome, also check out:

http://www.leveldesigner.com/forums/
http://wiki.beyondunreal.com/wiki

And http://www.map-center.com/ too.

[kwshipman]

Originally posted by eMPeck
And http://www.map-center.com/ too.

I knew there were more, but I couldn't find the links in my favs. Thanks

[heavyness]

JAMLANDER (http://ridgers.org.uk/jamlander/)

this is a little plugin that exports your entire scene from max into unrealed. very nice, very fast, very useful.

[kwshipman]

Originally posted by kole
JAMLANDER (http://ridgers.org.uk/jamlander/)

this is a little plugin that exports your entire scene from max into unrealed. very nice, very fast, very useful.

Sounds great. I take it you have used it then.

heh, maybe someday at one of our Seattle meetings we could play our levels with our own charecters.

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