If you start working on a map with the source engine, i would like to know what do you think about it so far?

The mapping with Hammer itself is ok, nothing really new. The problem i have is the mapmodel and texture making, which are now essential parts in the mapping process.

It is not possible to import Hammer geometry in Softimage|XSI. I even tried to convert the .dxf file into various other formats, but XSI wont import it. XSI on the other hand takes some time to get used to it.

You have to be very careful about the directories for the textures, model source files etc.. And then you have to manually create text files with texture information and compile it with a command line tool.

Same goes with compiling a model. I honestly cant believe that the guys at Valve went trough this every time, while make all the stuff for HL2. I hope someone will make a graphical tool for this part.

Another thing is, that Steam has to be running in the background. For people with low memory a really pain in the ass. Steam idles with like 30-40MB, add the same for Hammer. I tried to open the de_cbble sample map and my 1GB system has to fight with it. I hope Valve wont force me to keep Steam running sooner or later.

A lot of complaints i know, but the capilities of the engine are quite cool. But if you want o make a unique looking map, you have to go trough all the steps and it takes a lot of time.

Anyway i am looking forward to see some work of this mapping community.

True, lots of good points, I am mapping for Source, but, I think its just me. The map looks so much like HL1, I wonder if I am doing something wrong. The mapping is so close to HL1 in VHE that not much has changed, I for one was expecting something like a radient mapping system like COD, MOH, but, was a little little bit happy with VHE 4.0

I know there are all these "geewiz" things that can be done, but really the majority of them would kinda be outa place in a WW2 map, I mean interacting with the enviroment was "cool" for about a minute until, I was tired of getting caught up on every twig and 4 to 6 inch tall bar, box whatever that happened to be laying on the ground. Like on the big bridge in HL2 trying to walk around there.

I was thinking Jesus, cant they clip this little bar and small peice of fence, so I can avoid the helicopters machine gun fire a little better. I just couldn't help think how is this stopping me I would step right over these things.

I want to keep mapping Source, but until I get the textures figured out, or DOD:S is released. I am not mapping right now, I cant see spending hours, days, weeks to make it, then turn right around and spend more hours, days , weeks to texture it and align it all, when I could have already had that done, had I had the textures in the first place.

The convert wad command is in the Hammer, but doesnt appear to do squat, I have placed the wad file I want to convert, but nothing, I have read how to make the textures, but I cannot find that tool they mention, if it is in my XSI, where is it.

This does seem like a major pain in my ass just to make free maps, but, I guess once I it get sussed out or I find out the right tutorials to read. I will be happier and back to mapping