Whoop, long time between visits!

Anyhow, there was mixed feelings on arras_v2_b1 so I decided to change it a bit, after having about 3 or 4 months off frin mapping, I began attacking the map again.

So far, I've changed the whole map to a snow themed map, I've changed the allied half of the map, they now start on the border of a town, so its half urban, half 'open'. Even though the streets are still pretty wide.

I've redesigned all the houses, and there are less sniper positions, and they don't dominate the map as much as before. I've taken alot more steps with optimization then before, so the map itself runs alot smoother and I haven't finished with them yet.

I just thought I'd update with it, some people liked the other versions and I'm pretty happy with how this next one is turning out, here are a few images, I'm leaning towards a release in the next week or two, I'll get back to you!

http://www.rolkdesigns.com/images/temp_images/dod_arras_snow_bkup0002.jpg

http://www.rolkdesigns.com/images/temp_images/dod_arras_snow_bkup0003.jpg

http://www.rolkdesigns.com/images/temp_images/dod_arras_snow_bkup0004.jpg

...cool. :) I was just wondering what happened to Rolk and his arras.

I like the choice of putting a leaning flag on that Jeep. Nice. :)

I've done a bit since those screenshots, but haven't taken any new ones hehe...

The flag with the jeep is actually infront of the jeep, somehow I forgot to move the jeep when I moved the flag.. I've also changed the sky to a proper one -- note that its a work in progress, thats why its so bland and boring so far ;)

Lookin sharp, Rolk.

Hi Rolk,

Wow... Excellent work!!!

Do you have a 2nd route for the support and assault classes that is away from the sniper's killing zone?

Please let me know if you need a clan to play test your map, I will provide server and -=SS=- members will assist you.

Please let me know...

Thanks, Kurt

Hi Rolk I was wondering where youd gotten to.

Im sure youve heard this many times before but rounded corners on pavements are the bomb. Youve kind of done this but its just a straight cut and doesnt look sourcey enough. Probably shouldnt use this as an example beause its not that well done but http://yetihw.dod-federation.com/images/b2screens/centre6.jpg . The inside edge is too straight Im going to go fix that :P, but the outside edge is the example.

Looks nice so far, my only comment is that the righthand side house in the front of the first picture look's to 'narrow' it looks like it needs to be brought out to the right more so it looks 'longer'.

Other then that nice work :)

Thanks for the comments and advice.

The map itself has the same layout as the previous versions, so there are only two ways through the middle.

As for the houses beeing a bit narrow, trust me, it all looks fine in game, and fits in perfectly.

I'll try get some more screenshots up today, just showing the progress. I'm in the process of going through and optimizing as much as I can (Mind you I read something on optimizing brushes and I didn't understand a damn thing lol), so I'll get back to you all today some time...

http://www.rolkdesigns.com/arras.jpg

I had planned to take more pictures, but ran out of time, work for me now :(

Alrighty, I'm just about done with the release -- however I'm having a little trouble with the minimap.
I can't align it properly... I think I have to resize something? I can't remember, I do everything, take the .tga -> then I resize that?

If someone can post a quick step by step thingy, I can convert it and do all that after you convert it, but its the part before that has me confused.

Looking good, Rolk, get that minimap straightened out soon!!!!

Minimap:
http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Creating_Level_Overviews

Lookin pretty cool, nice to see some more snow maps

I hope the dod team releases some snow skins for the player models

http://www.rolkdesigns.com/images/temp_images/dod_arras_overviewprev.jpg

The test is towards the end of this week.. Will let you know how it goes, the map will support a max of 40 players (would recommend 32 as the max though).

This Overview is invalid, you need the size to be powers of 2. In this case I'd suggest 512x1024.

As for the map, I've never been too fond of 6 flag maps :rolleyes:

It's always been 6 flags, and I'm not making the map to please you...

The map overview is just there to show people the newer layout of it, and the overview is working fine.

You two mappers go back to your rooms and behave...I'm starting to see the same crap I see in the other forums ("my dicks bigger than your dick") and either stop it...or run the risk of getting tossed.

thats the new arras? it looks fantastic :) can´t wait playing it

Sorry FuzzDad, my bad. I could have sword I put a few smilies in my post, didn't mean to sound as arrogant as it did.

Sorry if I offended.

Alrighty, the map is almost ready to go, I've got a test on Monday evening (Monday morning for you Americans), and that will determine if it needs more work or not!

Basically I'm quite happy with the layout ect ect, my only concern is the FPS could be higher, but the test with a (hopefully) full server will show me!

Hi Rolk,

Just wondering if you have released dod_arras_rc1? Looks like a fun map to play.

Thanks for making the map!!!

Cheers, Kurt

always loved playing arras, lot of fun times. looking forward to this update :D

Run into a pretty big problem, the axis don't always spawn, you have to change class to spawn sometimes....

I don't think this is your map, it's problem with source itself, this respawn problem occurs on most maps.

Hi Rolk,

Lordming is correct, it’s not your map and nothing you can do to fix it; happens to all the maps. When server have fewer players it happens more often, just a bug in steam/valve, hopefully it will be fixed on the next update.

Regards, Kurt

the overview looks pulchritudinous.

nice work Rolk .. .hurry up and release this version for testing :-P

I'm still trying to optimize the map as much as possible, I did read a large page on optimization, however, there are alot of big words there and I generally get distracted ;)

Edit: If anyone is able to help me optimize it more, it would be greatly appreciated...