How-to: Set Up Your Computer For Mapping.

watch_me_die

<div class="IPBDescription">Hammer,Batch Compiler,HLFix,MapBackup,&c</div> <span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'><b>Download</b></span>

First of all you're going to need some files... so download the following and put them somewhere you can access them easily <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<b>Hammer:</b> <a href='http://collective.valve-erc.com/data/docs/1039631978-44855700/files/hammer_v34.exe' target='_blank'>http://collective.valve-erc.com/data/docs/.../hammer_v34.exe</a>
<b>Hammer 3.5 Beta Upgrade:</b> <a href='http://collective.valve-erc.com/data/docs/1050662008-07225900/files/hammer_testbuild04.zip' target='_blank'>http://collective.valve-erc.com/data/docs/...testbuild04.zip</a>

<b>Batch Compiler:</b> <a href='http://countermap.counter-strike.net/Nemesis/files/files/batchcompiler300beta.exe' target='_blank'>http://countermap.counter-strike.net/Nemes...iler300beta.exe</a>
<b>BC Specification File (right-click and save-as):</b> <a href='http://countermap.counter-strike.net/Nemesis/files/specfiles/Zoners%20Custom%20Build%20Backup%20HLFix%20OptPlns.bcs' target='_blank'>http://countermap.counter-strike.net/Nemes...x%20OptPlns.bcs</a>

<b>XP-Cagey's Compile Tools:</b> <a href='http://xp-cagey.com/downloads/zhlt_1.7p15.zip' target='_blank'>http://xp-cagey.com/downloads/zhlt_1.7p15.zip</a>

<b>Merl's Map Backup Util:</b> <a href='http://collective.valve-erc.com/data/docs/1038246940-48810700/files/mapbackup.zip' target='_blank'>http://collective.valve-erc.com/data/docs/...s/mapbackup.zip</a>

<b>HLFix:</b> <a href='http://extension.ws/hlfix/hlfix081b.zip' target='_blank'>http://extension.ws/hlfix/hlfix081b.zip</a>

That's all the files you're going to need at the moment.

<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'><b>Install</b></span>

1) Run the Hammer installer, install it wherever you would like.
2) Extract the Hammer 3.5 Beta executable and copy it into the Hammer folder, replacing the one that is in there.
3) Run the Batch Compiler installer, install it wherever you would like.
4) Move the Batch Compiler Specification File to your "...\Batch Compiler\SpecFiles" directory.
5) Extract XP-Cagey's Compile Tools to your "...\Hammer\Tools " directory.
6) If you haven't used Cagey's tools before, move the DLLs that came with them into your <u>windows\system</u> directory.
7) Extract the HLFix stuff to your "...\Hammer\Tools" directory.
8) Extract Merl's Map Backup Util to your "...\Hammer\Tools" directory.

<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'><b>Setup - Hammer</b></span>

- Open up Hammer from your Start Menu.
- The Setup Dialog should popup. Click on the "Game Configurations" tab.
<img src='http://merkury.orcon.net.nz/nsmapping/setup/config1.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
1) Beside "Configuration" hit the Edit button.
- Click "Add" on the next screen and enter "Natural Selection" as the game name.
- Close the popup.
2) Beside "Game Data" files, hit Add and browse to your NS directory. Select "NS.fgd".
3) Ignore "texture format" and "map type", you can't change them anyway...
4) Under "Default Point Entity" and "Default Solid Entity" select "light" and "func_wall".
5) The "Game exectuable", and "Game directory" won't matter as we won't use Hammer to compile.
6) Point "Mod Directory" to your "...\Half-Life\NS" directory (this is needed to get the ns models to render).
7) Point "RMF Directory" to your "...\Hammer\maps" directory.

You should now have something like this:
<img src='http://merkury.orcon.net.nz/nsmapping/setup/config2.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

8) Next move to your "Textures" Tab.
<img src='http://merkury.orcon.net.nz/nsmapping/setup/config3.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
- Click the Add button.
- Browse to your NS directory and select NS.wad.
- Repeat and add NS2.wad.
- Lastly browse to your "...\Hammer\Tools" directory and add "ZHLT.wad".
(You may also browse to HL\Valve and add HL.wad, but I'm trying to keep this Steam-compatible <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->)

9) The tabs "General", "2D Views" and "3D Views" are up to user preference, however I have provided some recommended settings.
If you need more information on the options, the help files are very good for them.
<img src='http://merkury.orcon.net.nz/nsmapping/setup/options1.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

<img src='http://merkury.orcon.net.nz/nsmapping/setup/options2.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

<img src='http://merkury.orcon.net.nz/nsmapping/setup/options3.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

10) Ignore "Build Programs" because you will be using Batch Compiler to compile.
11) Close Hammer <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->

watch_me_die

<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'><b>Setup - Batch Compiler</b></span>

1) Load up BC from your Start Menu.
2) Under the "Specifications" menu on the menubar, select "Zoners Custom Build Backup HLFix OptPlns".
3) Next select "Options->Setup" and you will be greeted with the Batch Compiler Options.
4) Select the "Paths" Tab.

- For each option, click on the Tool then click on the "..." button to the right of the box beneath the listview.
- Then browse to your "...\Hammer\Tools" directory and select the correct tool.
- These are:
<ul>
<li>HLFix - hlfix.exe
<li>MBA - mapbackup.exe
<li>CSG - hlcsg.exe
<li>BSP - hlbsp.exe
<li>VIS - hlvis.exe
<li>NetVis - leave this blank
<li>RAD - hlrad.exe
<li>RipEnts - ripent.exe
<li>OptPlns - opt_plns.exe
<li>HL - this should point to HL.exe in your Half-Life directory.
</ul>
- Next, in the second box down entitled "Half-Life Path", browse to your Half-Life directory.
- Lastly, in the "File Destination Path" box, browse to your "...\Half-Life\NS\maps" directory.

You should have something like this:
<img src='http://merkury.orcon.net.nz/nsmapping/setup/bc1.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

5) Click on the OK button to close the Dialog.
6) Close BC, the compile options themselves will be covered in another tutorial.

<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'><b>Setup - Miscellaneous</b></span>

You will need to run "makewad.exe" in your Tools directory. This generates a list of the Wads that Hammer is using in "wad.txt", for HLFix. (Because the wad names aren't stored in the RMF files which HLFix exports from.)
If you ever change which wads you are using or remove some from the list, ensure that you run this program again to re-generate "wad.txt".

<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'><b>Setup Complete</b></span>

You now have the full assortment of tools with which to create your maps! Good Luck <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

The next tutorial will be on using Batch Compiler to compile - there are already enough tutorials upon Hammer out there, just search!

Additionally you may want to download Wally, HL Model Viewer and SPRView.
- Wally is a wad editor, meaning you can create your own textures for your maps. <a href='http://www.telefragged.com/wally/' target='_blank'>http://www.telefragged.com/wally/</a>
- SPRView will allow you to look at sprites to see which ones you would like to use. It will also give info on frames and rendermodes. <a href='http://www.planethalflife.com/mach3/sprites/sprview.html' target='_blank'>http://www.planethalflife.com/mach3/sprite...es/sprview.html</a>
- HL Model Viewer will allow you to look at models in order to place them in your map. You can also reskin models and change transparency with it. <a href='http://www.wunderboy.org/3d_games/utils/hlmv.php' target='_blank'>http://www.wunderboy.org/3d_games/utils/hlmv.php</a>

Aea

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

Sticky!

Kage

<!--QuoteBegin--[watch.me.die]+Oct 12 2003, 05:48 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> ([watch.me.die] @ Oct 12 2003, 05:48 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> 5) The "Game exectuable", "Mod directory" and "Game directory" won't matter as we won't use Hammer to compile. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
You have to specify mod directory to display models in VHE 3.5's 3d view.

watch_me_die

Oop thanks for pointing that out, fixed now <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

BigD

In setting up the Batch Compiler:
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->2) Under the "Specifications" menu on the menubar, select the only option there<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

That is NOT the only option there!

There is:
Bare Zoners
QTools
Zoners & Mapsters
Zoners Custom yadda yadda
Zoners

Not that it's a major problem, but other silly nubs may have trouble! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

GJ! This is something that was needed for a while!

**Edited for clarity**

watch_me_die

Odd, the version I downloaded didn't include any specification files with it....

I'll update it anyway.

Uncledad

valve nub here, i cant get BC to read the files i save in valve. i know that the thing ime missing is massivly obviousbut i cant spot it <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'><!--endemo--> would someone kindly point out whet ime doing wrong

Kage

You have to export the file to .map, the format used by the compile programs. You could also use hlfix, which takes the .rmf file and converts it to .map, along with fixing a few things.

By the way, QuArK will work for making ns maps. Just search for "quark file" or something similar in the forum's search function to find topics about using the program.

carioca

the link of bc is out date can tell another?
how me can open the wads i have wally i some time ago and cant remeber where i get?
can say some place to get a better wad open?

watch_me_die

The BC link still works but my hosting is being a bit weird at the moment so the pictures aren't coming up sometimes - should be fixed soon though.

Wally is at: <a href='http://www.telefragged.com/wally/' target='_blank'>http://www.telefragged.com/wally/</a>

Gigatergar

Uh.. hello, I am complete noob comes to making map.... how do you start putting stuff in your map... walls stuff.. please!!..

Gman

Gigatergar

Hello, Anyone want to help me at all?? how do you put walls around the map.. use crate to block it?? doesn't make sense.. please.... and make skybackground... I need help.. please!!! I treat bouble tea to who ever help... whoever got me into it, I treat steak meal!! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

Gman

Kage

Read the help file that comes with Hammer. It will show you the basics. There are also a few sites listed under the help menu that have beginner tutorials.

ThoraX

this is a great setup tutorial. I figured out i cant rely on clan memeber mappers to help me with setup... <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'><!--endemo-->

so, we will be using batch compiler to compile right? Should i just leave my zoners alone?

oh, and when can we expect this?
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->6) Close BC, the compile options themselves will be covered in another tutorial.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

watch_me_die

<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->so, we will be using batch compiler to compile right? Should i just leave my zoners alone?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Batch compiler isn't the compile tools themselves- it just runs them, so XPCagey's modifications of Merl's modifications of Zoner's tools are still used to compile <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

I'll get the next one written up as soon as I can, but exams are on at the moment over here so I'm a bit busy <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

carioca

i know ...
i know...
my englisg is terrible but try this search on web the
'THE WORLDCRAFT HALF LIFE'
is short like
'TWHL'
is a good site
why i can't give the link i lost my data for a format, and clean up of the computer!!
damit i dont know how save my historic favorites of the web o my god...
the better way to learn is doing i learn english on this way:
look and say.
if the ppl dont like dont do more, try another words.
make box with the tool and select and press ctrl+h selectr 2 and on 3d view go inside now usee a holow box...

carioca

hey whre the custom on this bc?

Tobold

you should have downloaded it, only problem is it downloads as
'Zoners Custom Build Backup HLFix OptPlns.bcs.txt'

rename it to : 'Zoners Custom Build Backup HLFix OptPlns.bcs'

eg. remove the .txt at the end, that should sort it out

carioca

i understain but i dont have that name file to put on the folder to show in menu!!
wait i get the link on show a big message of comands on c maybe this web is the file damit...
roger...
now i have the file but my windows is terrible for change extensions... or me are...
right i finish to change the extension...
works...
i will go see if i finish this now...
<a href='http://countermap.counter-strike.net/Nemesis/files/specfiles/Zoners%20Custom%20Build%20Backup%20HLFix%20OptPlns.bcs' target='_blank'>http://countermap.counter-strike.net/Nemes...x%20OptPlns.bcs</a>

carioca

WHERE THE ALL TUTORIAL IS MISSS SOMETHING TO START COMPILE BYE BC? WHRE ARE THE INSTRUNCTIONS>>>
HOUSTON WE GOT A TROUBLE...
WE WILL DIE WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS ... RAAAHHHHHH.......

usor

is this thread officially dead?
i got it all working but batch compile won't copy the bsp file to ns/maps. anyone got a clue why?

edit: DOH! i found it. my error.

ZiPPeh

yer i could use some help with the batch compiler.... i set it all up as the website says...

start to compile but get this error saying the application cant start because a certain .dll is missing.

eg_grunt

yeah i got that problem... jsut type in the name of the missing *.dll in google to find it, download it and place it in the /windows/system folder and it should all go from there

ZiPPeh

ok i got that working.. thx to alpha... now i cant actually run the map.. as i get the cannot find map on server... and i get all these errors int he ms-dos window saying stuff about error: c:\proggy files\....... .p01


:s

eg_grunt

<a href='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=34&t=51776' target='_blank'>http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/in...ST&f=34&t=51776</a>

i had the same problem... just read that topic and it should help you

Cheers,

Grunt

ZiPPeh

ok fixed it all up now i run it.... then afte about 5 seconds HL crashes... i can walk around the Ready room and then if i just wait for 5 sec or join a team it crashes. ans yes i have spawn points for them.

eg_grunt

have you made sure there arent any major leaks in the map?

watch_me_die

Ok, just discovered a bug in the SpecFile, so here's the updated version:
<a href='http://merkury.orcon.net.nz/Zoners%20Custom%20Build%20Backup%20HLFix%20OptPlns.bcs' target='_blank'>http://merkury.orcon.net.nz/Zoners%20Custo...x%20OptPlns.bcs</a>

(-cliptype precise was misspelt as percise)

Also, can we please try to keep replies not directly relating to the how-to out of the thread, don't want it to get all cluttered up <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

LAGonauta

I didn't find the NS2.wad. Can you send me?



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Chrono

never mind fixed it