First time modder, looking for starting advice.

#11 · July 27, 2011, 7:53 am

thesaxmachine wrote:

I just don't think 2-point perspective is letting me explore all 3 dimensions of the space since it will always leave at least one wall out, and top down alone makes it hard to create puzzles under a space and the ceiling.

You don't need to follow realistic rules in a diagram. You can have walls appear see-through to show what is on the other side of the wall. Here's one I prepared earlier. I bent my 'ruler rule' because there's no rulers on the computer.

Picture

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#12 · July 27, 2011, 8:30 pm

Ah, so I assume you can do the same with ceilings? My drawings tend to get convoluted when I include all 6 walls on a piece of paper even if I used the 'see-through' perspective.

#13 · July 29, 2011, 5:11 pm

thesaxmachine wrote:

...is it better to have an idea for a puzzle, make a great level design, and make the puzzle idea fit the level layout, or make the level design fit the puzzle design and hope it doesn't look boring? Another related question I have is if a beginning mapper should focus on making creative puzzles, or making great environments first. As someone who is new to both, I won't be able to do either great right off the bat, so knowing if focusing on one will make the other stronger will help. Any other first time advice is appreciated. Thanks.

i always make the level design fit the puzzle design. but that's just my personal opinion.

why make a signature when i could just put this?

#14 · July 29, 2011, 11:15 pm

Try making a small room with some testing elements (Lasers, Hard Light, Turrets, etc) in Hammer (it doesn't have to make sense where you put them, but just in the room). Maybe being inside the room with the test elements will give you more ideas what to make. Also the Portal 2 Mapping Wiki tab by the Downloads tab has some useful info also.

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