Let me optimize your map
Hello everyone,
I've seen a lot of portal 2 maps with quite bad optimization, I kind of like to optimize maps. It's a bit of a puzzle to me to see how a specific map can be optimized. So this is why I want to optimize some maps for you guys.
So, how would this work:
1: you post a post in this thread, in the full editor you click upload attachment and attach your vmf+instances in a zipped file. (.zip/.rar/.7z)
2: I'll open it in hammer, optimize it and record the process.
3: I'll re-upload the optimized version, post a video on youtube and add it to the thread.
When should you be concerned:
1: If your map is really laggy
2: If other people complain about lag
3: If the step buildvisleaves is taking more than a minute
What advantages does optimization have?
1: The map compiles faster.
2: The file size decreases.
3: The lag is reduced.
Rules:
1: only one map per person at a time. you can submit maps again after I optimized one of yours, but they'll have lower priority.
2: you must watch the video of the process. It's also meant to teach you some strategies.
3: I do not accept PTI maps.
4: vmf's and custom instances should be supplied. I don't need custom models/textures.
5: WIP maps are always welcome.
If you want you can also drop the file in a pm to me, please do post in this thread though. If there's no post in this thread I will not optimize it. I will always upload the optimization process to youtube. I won't be playing through your maps so there won't be gameplay spoilers.
That's really helpful for the starter mapper. But I would not do that for too many maps from the same person because it's good to struggle to do it yourself.
It's not only really helpful for starter mappers, I've seen various more experienced mappers also still running into trouble with this. And yes, I'm not planning to do all maps of a person, that's why other maps always have more priority and you can't submit more than one map at a time. Because it's also meant to be a learning experience I'll add a video of the process with voice commentary as well. 
I can only recommend this. I can't count the times I was stuck on problems with visleafs and LP knew a solution in no time.
I also often optimize maps fro friends, and cuttin 1 hour compile to 2-3 minute. I especially love the "boxed" maps where I must fix 100+ leaks because props hang out or they use 1-2 sized grid, arrrgh. 
Why not ask around, if there are more people who'd like to do this and then make a usergroup out of it to help people who have problems with their maps?
Because I'm trying to help people who ask for help, and who want to learn from it. I'm not trying to make it my day-job or anything 
Besides; these forums are already for that? much more efficient than a steam group
Steam group? No, you got me wrong. I was talking about a usergroup here. People who are experienced in creating maps and optimizing them could join the group to provide help. Anyway, you got a point there.