First Map Opinions/Help - Developers

Hello, I decided to make my first real map, its for garrysmod deathrun for my server. It's not finished yet as I started yesterday. I would love to here your opinion on how it looks and what should I add. I have a couple question aswell, (saying this is my first map) hopefully some of you guys can answer them. :) *Questions* When I compile my map with vvis it never stops loading and maps my cpu goto 100% why? the env_fire never starts when i press the button to turn it on. what should I add. How do I make it so deaths spawn in the death area and runners spawn in the course -- Im using this GM [url]http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1242352[/url] How do I change the skybox so theres clouds instead of a blue sky. ** I Know I shouldnt map a huge skybox around the map but thats just there till im done so its easy to expand.** [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/i1kWc7Z.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/CDflQ0d.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/zuglVPR.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/8qJByRF.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/OiP5dyY.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/HWExWCg.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/jH4sMkd.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/dRDjEMM.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/VmsXt3m.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/iWoxjkn.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/oq0Yp3Q.jpg[/IMG] [url]http://imgur.com/CDflQ0d,zuglVPR,8qJByRF,OiP5dyY,HWExWCg,RPuXpHj,r45I9t9,JTQ9Bqw,UleKCGX,jH4sMkd,dRDjEMM,1WYvZZK,VmsXt3m,iWoxjkn,avxONQ8,oq0Yp3Q,i1kWc7Z#0[/url] -- All the pictures

[QUOTE=Superninja;44883315]Hello, I decided to make my first real map, its for garrysmod deathrun for my server. It's not finished yet as I started yesterday. I would love to here your opinion on how it looks and what should I add. I have a couple question aswell, (saying this is my first map) hopefully some of you guys can answer them. :) *Questions* When I compile my map with vvis it never stops loading and maps my cpu goto 100% why? the env_fire never starts when i press the button to turn it on. what should I add. How do I make it so deaths spawn in the death area and runners spawn in the course -- Im using this GM [url]http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1242352[/url] How do I change the skybox so theres clouds instead of a blue sky. ** I Know I shouldnt map a huge skybox around the map but thats just there till im done so its easy to expand.** [url]http://imgur.com/CDflQ0d,zuglVPR,8qJByRF,OiP5dyY,HWExWCg,RPuXpHj,r45I9t9,JTQ9Bqw,UleKCGX,jH4sMkd,dRDjEMM,1WYvZZK,VmsXt3m,iWoxjkn,avxONQ8,oq0Yp3Q,i1kWc7Z#0[/url] -- All the pictures[/QUOTE] Some quick tips, not enough of a helppost The compile process is always hard on the CPU, no matter how high-end the comp is Can't help much with the fire thing; pics of the entity properties? I've never played a deathrun map but some timed jumps and whatnot springs to mind looking at it Best ask the maker of the gamemode about the spawns To change the skybox, go to Map on the toolbar above then Map Properties. For skies, download any or look at the [url=https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Sky_List]sky list[/url] of default maps for each of the Valve games And yes, a huge skybox around the map is a bad idea but not because of laziness, instead because the [url=https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Hammer_Cordon_Usage]cordon[/url] exists for this very reason (testing purposes)

Ok cool thanks so much for the feed back, do know what else I should add? and what do you rate the map as of now? EDIT* How do I make text in it so its people use this map it shows our ip and server name.

You know, entity setup wise I gotta say this is decent for a first map. You have a direction and an idea of the setup you want in mind and you've executed it. Nice job. The aesthetic aspect of your work will progress more gradually over time, but I'm sure you'll get the hang of that just as well. edit: [I]this[/I] to [I]say[/I]

It lacks any form of lighting, but that's easily fixed with a light_environment since the map is pretty much all outside. You should probably think about a general theme for the map to follow, as right now it lacks anything past "combine glass", but I get that it's in an early stage so you haven't been too concerned with it. Don't get too much done without sticking to a coherent theme that people can recognize when playing the map, as it gets harder to change things to fit with the theme the more you add in the map. Gameplay wise it looks pretty good so far. For just starting this a day or two ago, you got a lot done in terms of having traps laid out. I can't wait to see where you go with the map and how much it improves over time :D

Thanks for your opinions it really motivates me to keep making maps :)

You should definitely try and find a theme and stick to it. There are a lot of maps that have that combine glass floor. Also the traps all looks radically different from each other if you can find textures that work with each other, use those. Try and find ways to make traps that really stand out from other maps too.

Yes, I am trying to stick to the floating above the sky, with glass so you can look down. I didnt see many other glass ones that look decent. *Edit And yeah its really hard to make traps without "taking them from other maps" as I dont have a creative mind

Superninja, Some traps that move can push the player far from the trigger_hurt area, be sure to size up that trigger brush below your level to kill any player that falls of. (sometimes the player pushed by the trap doesn't receive fall damage, so the trigger_hurt can solve this. Also, for a combine glass aproach, the aztec bricks doesn't seem to fit, try to go full combine theme, or stick to a theme of your preference. Good looking deathrun maps these days are rare, try to come up with a light, easy and nice looking one.

Ok awesome thanks for your suggestions