So you wanna get into the boring and tedious world of CTF mapping, huh? You figure instead of getting a real job you'll waste your time building maps for a computer game? Well buck up kiddo, there may be a future for you here. Before you can just jump right in and whip out the next 2fort you need to configure the most powerful tool known to the CTF mapping world, HAMMER! Follow these instructions and you should have no problem getting started. Ready???
1.) First thing you need to do is install the Source SDK. Go into steam under tools and find it and install.
2.) Next step is to go
here and download the current version of amckerns Custom Source Tools (CST 1.1 is currently the only tools that work for this mod,
DO NOT use 1.2!) Unzip the package they come in and put them in this directory - Steam\SteamApps\
your_login\sourcesdk\bin.
3.) Third step is to go
here to get the HL2:CTF 1.7 fgd. (You could technically skip this step,
but you will have to manually enter in entities, plus the entities will show up as big 'ERROR' signs in the editor, plus you will not be able to use trigger entities. So I dont recomend skipping this step...) After you download the file unzip the package. There are directions on where the files go in a notepad doc but just in case your lazy the hl2ctf.fgd file goes to - Steam\SteamApps\
your_login\sourcesdk\bin.
the other two folders contain the files that make the models show up in the view screens in HAMMER. they go in -Steam\SteamApps\SourceMods\hl2ctf\models\editor and ...\materials\editor respectively.
4.) Now that you have all the files lined up, startup HAMMER,
BEFORE you start a new map go to Tools ---> Options...
5.) The first tab that comes up in the Configure Hammer toolbox is Game Configurations. Next to the drop down box entitled Configurations click the Edit button. Now click the Add button. Name the game HL2CTF 1.7 or something similar.
6.) Back to the Configure Hammer toolbox, You should have your newly created HL2CTF 1.7 Game Config selected. Now under the Game Data Files box we want to select our custom hl2ctf.fgd. If the Game Data files box is empty click the add button. Navigate to your sourcesdk\bin and select the .fgd. Next we want to have a complete entity list so click the add button again and this time select hl2mp.fgd (
BIG THANKS to llenta for that one).
7.) Next under the box called Game Directory (where GameInfo.txt is) You'll want to browse set it to the directory that HL2CTF 1.7 is in. It should be here - Steam\SteamApps\SourceMods\hl2ctf
(
NOTE ON THIS STEP: If you
cannot find GameInfo.txt in this directory, you may need to copy it from your HL2:DM directory and paste it in your CTF directory. Honestly I can't remember
)
8.) Next thing to edit on this tab is HAMMER .VMF Directory. This is where hammer will put the
editable maps (.vmf) you save for CTF. set it to - Steam\SteamApps\SourceMods\hl2ctf\maps.
9.) Since we are just setting up HAMMER, we will skip to the last tab in our Configure Hammer tool box. The tab is called Build Programs. Make sure you have the Configuration drop down box set to HL2CTF 1.7!!! The Game executable box you can leave blank because you never use it. For the BSP, RAD, and VIS executables navigate to your sourcesdk\bin and pick the CST versions of each program, not Valves. (cstbsp, cstvis, cstrad). Set the path for your compiled maps to - Steam\SteamApps\SourceMods\hl2ctf\maps
10.) Final step, Copy the file lights.rad from this directory - Steam\SteamApps\
your_login\half-life 2 deathmatch\hl2mp and paste it in this directory - Steam\SteamApps\SourceMods\hl2ctf
This will help you avoid problems such as lighting glitches and checkerboard reflection textures. All thats left is to shutdown HAMMER and the Source SDK launcher. Now re-open the SDK launcher and in the Current Game dropdown box at the bottom of the launcher make sure you select HL2:CTF 1.7 or whatever you named it.
Now your all set to head straight into the program! Happy Mapping, and remember be creative, the sky is the limits.
*****KEY TERMS*****
BSP - Map file that is read by the HL2CTF game, but not HAMMER
VMF - Map file that can be read by HAMMER but not the game
*****SPECIAL NOTES*****
As of the latest Valve SDK release, the Valve compile tools are no longer compatible with HL2CTF 1.7!!!!! OH NO! This issue may be resolved in 1.8 but if you are having problems such as items dropping through the displacement surfaces, MAKE SURE YOU USE AMCKERN'S CST TOOLS!!!!!!!
llenta wrote:if you recently reinstalled steam, hammer won't open for the program you are configuring unless you start that program first.
example- if you want to edit hl2dm, then you have to start the actual game of hl2dm, then quit the game. this will write some files in the necessary folders that hammer needs to see. so after a fresh reload you need to run your games just once so that hammer can see the created files and configure itself.
b.snooch
last edited - 9/14/06
You wanna take this to Fuck Town?
Oh gadzooks, yes!