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Using The Source SDK for HL2 mapping

So, you've finished HL2, downloaded the Source SDK but havn't a clue how to set it up and use it to make maps for Half-Life2?

Look no further...on these pages I'll show you step by step how to set up Hammer4 for HL2 and how to make a basic one-room "map" and run it in HL2

To be able to test your map without waiting for HL2 to load when you want to run it you may want to start the game first, go to options/keyboard/advanced and tick the developer mode box and apply...then minimise the game so it's ready to go when you are (Alt+Tab).

This is likely to be dependant on your system specs as a low-end system might choke running HL2 & Hammer4 at the same time...my Athlon64 3500 with 1GB of CorsairXMS handles it fine but you will need to use your discretion when it comes to your own system.

Setting Hammer Up

OK you're ready to "play" the Source SDK

Start it up and choose Hammer and you should be greeted with the Hammer4 editor with a box something like this:-

Yours will look a bit emptier than this so you'll need to fill in a few of the gaps.

Make a new configuration and call it HL2.

Click on the "add" to the right of the "Game Data files" box and browse to C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\*username*\sourcesdk\bin

and choose the "halflife2.fgd"

Change the "Default texture scale" to 0.25 unless you want to feel like a dwarf in your map

The game executable directory is C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\*username*\half-life 2

The Game Directory is C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\*username*\sourcesdk\sdkcontent

The Hammer Map Directory is where the files for your maps reside but you can use the place the HL2 maps

are kept for ease of testing but it can get messy... C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\*username*\half-life 2\hl2\maps

Next click on the "Build Programs" tab at the top-right of the window and you should see something like this:-

You need to put in the Game Executable C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\*username*\half-life 2\hl2.exe

The BSP executable is C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\*username*\sourcesdk\bin\vbsp.exe

The VIS executable is C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\*username*\sourcesdk\bin\vvis.exe

The RAD executable is C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\*username*\sourcesdk\bin\vrad.exe

The last box is the path to the HL2 maps directory C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\*username*\half-life 2\hl2\maps

Click Apply and shut hammer down then restart it

you're now ready to start making HL2 maps!

Next : Making a simple one-room map

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