What is the best program to use to make new maps, or even edit current maps? I've tried toying with the SDK but perhaps my IQ isn't high enough, I don't quite get it... (Not that i've sat down and read the manual...)

Sit down and read the manual. Then read the stickies at the top of this forum. Then open up the SDK then Hammer, then start mucking around and perhaps in a few years you will finish something! (I still haven't)

Originally posted by Ca-Chicken-Soup
Sit down and read the manual. Then read the stickies at the top of this forum. Then open up the SDK then Hammer, then start mucking around and perhaps in a few years you will finish something! (I still haven't)
Where's the manual?

If you want to map, better be serious and get started on reading.

SKD main documentations:
http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SDK_Docs

VERC Network forums:
http://www.chatbear.com/board.plm?b=390

Read tutorial on how to do things in hammer:
http://www.interlopers.net/
http://gamewag.com/hl2.html
http://www.snarkpit.net/

This forum is also a great place for all DOD entity related and other question in general.

Hammer may seem complicated but once your learn it, it's very straight forward. What is hard is to make is a beautiful playable map. :)

thanks

What they said. I've also found the Valve Wikipedia (http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Main_Page) and this tutorial webpage (http://www.akilling.org/akg/default.asp?akg=tutall) to be very helpful.

I'm not using the "unofficial" DoD mapmaking kit (that more experienced mappers have put together). The official is not QUITE out yet, so I'm building my map in HL2 Deathmatch. Have fun!!

Originally posted by Ol' Noodle Head
What they said. I've also found the Valve Wikipedia (http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Main_Page) and this tutorial webpage (http://www.akilling.org/akg/default.asp?akg=tutall) to be very helpful.

I'm not using the "unofficial" DoD mapmaking kit (that more experienced mappers have put together). The official is not QUITE out yet, so I'm building my map in HL2 Deathmatch. Have fun!!
How you get the dods prop in hl2 deathmatch?

ehh, well, i don't. Not yet. The DoD SDK is not out yet, so I've been using HL2 stuff as "placemarkers" for the real thing.