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From HalfLife 2 Knowledge Base

By Jota Flisk - chan_gremista@hotmail.com

Introduction

Maybe, there can be more and more tutorials like this, but I'll try to explain the basics of starting and Half-Life 2 map. The .vmf file is the "Map" file. Map files are the file where are what you see when you start a new game (buildings, people, etc...). I won't explain here Modelling and Texturing, and if you want to know how to create a MOD for Half-Life 2, see this tutorial: Modding Introduction.

Creating primitive solids

Well, what is a primitive solid? Primitive solid are the most primitive (no detail) objects that you can make in Half-Life 2. There are 7 primitive objects in Half-Life 2: The Arch, the Block, the Cylinder, the Sphere, the Spike, the Torus, and the Wedge. I'll explain some of this primitive objects in this tutorial.

Block tool

   The most simple object in Half-Life 2 is the block. The block is a simple 6 faced object.(well, it's a cube)

To make a block, select the Block tool (Shift + B), select "Primitives" in the Categories menu and select "Block" in the Objects tool. Go to the 2d view x/y, x/z, y/z, hold the mouse button and them drag the mouse, making the cube the size that you want. Finaly, click with the Right Mouse button and clic Create Object. Well, your cube is done. Now you also can change the size by clicking in the block. If you clic the image more times, there will be more options like rotate, etc...

Cylinder tool

   When valve created this primitive object, maybe they wanted this to be a Prefab barrel.

To make a cylinder, select the Block tool (Shift + B), select "Primitives" in the Categories menu and select "Cylinder" in the Objects tool. Choose how much faces do you want. Go to the 2d view x/y, x/z, y/z, hold the mouse button and them drag the mouse, making the cylinder the size that you want. Finaly, click with the Right Mouse button and clic Create Object. Well, your cylinder is done. Now you also can change the size by clicking in the cylinder. If you clic the image more times, there will be more options like rotate, etc...

The Spike tool

   Well, what can I saw that this is...? Oh yes, it's a spike!!!

To make a spike, select the Block tool (Shift + B), select "Primitives" in the Categories menu and select "Spike" in the Objects tool. Choose how much faces do you want. Go to the 2d view x/y, x/z, y/z, hold the mouse button and them drag the mouse, making the spike the size that you want. Finaly, click with the Right Mouse button and clic Create Object. Well, your spike is done. Now you also can change the size by clicking in the spike. If you clic the image more times, there will be more options like rotate, etc...

Sphere

   The most circular object in Half-Life 2

To make a sphere, select the Block tool (Shift + B), select "Primitives" in the Categories menu and select "Sphere" in the Objects tool. Choose how much faces do you want. Go to the 2d view x/y, x/z, y/z, hold the mouse button and them drag the mouse, making the sphere the size that you want. Finaly, click with the Right Mouse button and clic Create Object. Well, your sphere is done. Now you also can change the size by clicking in the sphere. If you clic the image more times, there will be more options like rotate, etc...

Now, you are ready to start making Source maps. Go to the next step in this tutorial: Mapping Basics