Speeding up mapping time
This is more of a tip for new folks like myself...
You know what saved me a ton of time? Press "X" to turn on editing in 3D view. For the first couple of weeks while was learning Hammer, I had no idea that you could actually move/edit things using the 3D view. Once I learned that, I could put stuff together a LOT faster. You can shift-drag to duplicate, you can rotate, stretch, scale, etc. All while looking directly at what you're working with, instead of a sea of wireframes.
Combine that with a religious snapping to the 32 unit grid for clean texture seams, and things really started falling into place a lot faster.
I have to agree that planning on paper is the best tip, though.
Set rotation to 15 degree by default (in "options").
Ctrl-E is extremely useful in combination with the 3D view. Select your brush/prop in the 3D view, then Ctrl-E to adjust the position in 2D.
Vengeance
Olympic
[SP] Interception
Interception PeTI
Herman
Uprise
Unified
Use [ and ] to change the grid size. These are the only two shortcuts I use (except for Ctrl+S), but I can still map fairly quickly (depending on the map size).
Here is a mapping tutorial that I wrote years ago for Counter-Strike: Source. The basics still apply for any Source mapping.
Vengeance
Olympic
[SP] Interception
Interception PeTI
Herman
Uprise
Unified
"Shift" plus "arrow key" with a brush selected will copy a brush. My rooms are made in no time.
My Work
[spoiler]Maps:
Revenge of the Angry Turrets
Capture the Cube [Co-op]
Capture the Cube 2 [Co-op]
TPWEGTH Sample Map
Aperture Aquatic Testing Center
Aperture Aquatic Testing Center 2
Aperture Time Testing Center
ML's Halloween Trick - 1000 downloads!
ML's Halloween Treat
ML's Combination - 1000 downloads!
ML's Jailbreak Labyrinth
ML's Tricky Teamwork [Co-op]
WIP:
"Capture the Cube 3"
Workshop Maps Link: http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198008890579/myworkshopfiles/[/spoiler]
be polite, be efficient, and have a plan to kill everyone you meet.