Ns_karnak

Darkhound

<div class="IPBDescription">A map you will probably never play</div> Here are some very early screenshots of a map I will probably never finish because I am lazy, bad at mapping, and far too addicted to playing NS to actually make stuff. However, my need for expression compels me to post some screenshots. This picture is from the marine spawn, a cargo bay with lofty ceilings and a skylight.

Darkhound

And here's a shot from the back end of the cargo bay:

Mr-Orange

haha i hear your pain m8, i am in the exact same position as you... dam that game is addictive... As for your screenies, nice images... how far have you got? Have you got it mapped out on paper or are you mapping off the top of your head ...? Keep it up m8, even if it takes you ages...its one of those things you just have to keep bashing at, eventually it gets easier and quicker (so im told <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'><!--endemo--> ) I tend to force myself into mapping, but once i start i keep on it all day and night till i feel sick, tired or need to go to work...its a real pain in the arse for my girlfriend though... <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->

Keep mapin and postin piccies, it will encourage you to map more so...

Heist

If I was to give any advice to people like you (me included) that don't seem to really get very far with maps, I cannot stress how much drawing up a full layout helps. Just do it when you supposed to be doing something else... like I did in my Control System Components class... shhh.. noone tell my professor.
When you have the layout, things move a little more quickly and you can actually see yourself finishing it.

Anyways... The pictures look like they have some potential. Try adding some floor or roof height changes to fill in the middle of the room a little without crowding it.

chubbysteve

A full layout can help. I suggest trying to fill the availiable grid, other wise you will be gasping when yo see how small and close certain parts of your map are.

That screen looks like an okay start. I think some simple tips could keep you going for now:
You have walls, cielings and floors. Never let them get boring. In that shot the floor has got uninteresting. Perhaps a patterned texture (thinking floor, MS ns_eclipse) could liven it up. Or some kind of raised platform with rails. The walls are good I like the intregrated light fixture - although I think it doesn't go too well with the floor texture you are using.

Learn to use light spots now, rather than later. Light spots provide that much needed contrast in ns levels which we have all grown to love. They aren't evil, and are easy to control. Then you can start really experimenting with the shadows they cast.

Think about the skulk. Skulks and aliens in general like to be upclose. So make sure that you give them places to dive and hide, continually getting closer to their unsuspecting prey.

Texturing - You see that curved ceiling. It could have some better texturing applied if you took into account the size or it, and it's location (it's an angled area, which probably means it would have some kind of different panelling or trim) and try to get textures that fit just right in the places you.. place them (this doesn't mean you should be using the fit button and calling it done <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->).

Finally - I like the green sky light. Keep it up <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

masterswordman

I would seriously do something about the CC being out there, how bout building it on a podeum? I would also put lots of computers (of your own creation) in that room. I serriously think that could help. It's plain, but gj with the lighting and shadows.

SkinnY

i have the same problem :/ but i tried to do the "do-a-layout-and-it'll-all-go-well-thing" but it didn't work for me <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'><!--endemo--> but... i'll try to make my map and post some ss in a couple of years... <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo--> but i like the way your map is going... don't be like me, make a map and make us proud <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

Bytor

I think it has a lot of promise. The lighting looks quite realistic. Nice job so far ... I hope you stick with it. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

Darkhound

By some amazing stroke of luck and fortitude, I've continued working on the map. This latest shot is from the Missile Room in the center of the map (notice that I've spelled Missile wrong in the shot <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'><!--endemo--> ). Basically, the room has a narrow, well lit walkway with a low ceiling. To the sides are the poorly lit missile tubes, with vents to other parts of the map.

I've also done a fair bit of work on one of the hive areas, but it's not far enough along to show off yet. Maybe in a few days (or weeks...).

Nazul

BTW ,ur last pic , the room is named Missle room , /me think hmmz <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

justy continue with mapping , some poeple would murder for ur skills ( building a room ! ) <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

<!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo-->

Gimpy_Doodly_Doo

you should post a full layout of the map so that we can see the layout.

Darkhound

Full layouts? Who makes those? <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo--> I actually had a full layout, but it was awful so I scrapped it and started working on a new one. The portion seen below is about 40% of the map and parts of it aren't to scale. The Shuttle Bay (formerly Cargo Bay) is about as large as the Cryo Storage Hive, and the Missile Room is slightly smaller.

I'm going to work on the Cryo Storage Hive today, and hopefully I'll have something worth showing tonight or tomorrow.

Darkhound

Ok, here's the Cryo Storage Hive from the front entrance:

Darkhound

And here's the back. At the moment the textures are devoid of infestation, but before I release the map I'll get Wally and make some infested textures to use here. Think of the current state as how it looked before the Kharaa came. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

I think the walls and ceiling look a little plain, but the curved cryo tanks and curved divider wall are really hogging my polygon budget. My r_speeds are already at around 550 at the back... I'll have to see what I can do about that at some point.

masterswordman

exactly why do you think you sux at mapping?

Darkhound

Well, my skills seem to have magically improved for this project. Still, you should have seen some of rooms that hit the cutting room floor. Actually, I take that back because they look pretty bad. If and when I finish, perhaps I'll start an ns_karnak outtake thread to show off all the awful things that never made it into the final map.

Here's a sample to hold you over until then. The map was originally named ns_karnak because the Missile Room was supposed to look like the Hypostyle Hall from the temple to Amun in Karnak. This is a picture of that room. The r_speeds were awful, it was ugly, and it was far, far, faaaar too large. I also wanted to see what it would look like with bright red lighting instead.... my eyes may never heal.

RPGreg2600

Looks good. Could you post an overview pic? (turn on developer mode [-dev in shortcut line works] and then type dev_overview 1)

civman2

Watch that cryo hive, looks like it'd be easy to jetpack.'

But it's very pretty, those cryo tanks look good enough to eat.

rimj0b_r0dent

Those cryo tanks make me drool, great job on them. I don't think you need 4 of them so just leave 2, that will lower your r_speeds a bit. I hope you don't mind if I use something similar since that is a great idea.

Darkhound

Just when you thought it was safe to let this drop to the third page.... I strike again with more pics! Who knows, I may actually finish this map. <!--emo&:0--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif'><!--endemo-->

I had an idea for the Bridge Hive on the way to class this morning, and I started on it when I got back. Six hours later, I had this:

masterswordman

not too shabby