PTI work flow ideas-how do you work?

[timmo]

Hi all,
a long time since I've posted anything so please forgive me if I'm out of practice.

Really looking forward to the new editor, I've been using Hammer for a few years now but haven't found the time to learn Portal 2 on it.

With all the old mappers and potential new mappers out there I thought it might be interesting to find out how you intend to approach this new software.

How are you going to organise your work flow to learn and map with the PTI?

For me I intend to just concentrate on room creation first with a few toys like a faith plate or a bridge in there to play with first with no real plans for puzzle making. Then open a few sample maps, assuming they are not read only, and rearrange them to get a feel of what works and doesnt work in a functioning map and then start to think of my own puzzles. Its just the way I like to work but what about you?

Do you like to wait for the tuts and work steadily through each tut or ar you a Hammer pro and like to jump straight in.

Will you still sketch on paper before going into the PTI or use the editor as a doodle pad?

I guess I'm just interested to hear how so many different mappers from seasoned pro to newbie are going to approach the same piece of new software.

Looking forward to hearing from you and hopefully getting some new ideas,

regards,

[Alexander Bell]

Just going to go on the software (isn't it supposed to just be an update to portal 2? Thats what it shows in a yt vid... sorry I dont have the link) and make a map. Probably involving lasers, flinging (a lot) faith plates, companion cubes, turrets and maybe one funnel. Maybe even something where you have to race to finish the test before a frankenturret reaches a button, and the button kills you somehow. Either way, looking forward to it!

[BlackoutIsHere]

I see the editor as a great way for pros and n00bs alike to sketch out their chambers.

[timmo]

Thanks for the reply guys, @ Alexander... you might have to import into Hammer to add an extra room with moving doors as it seems to be self sealing as you map and with a moving door you might have leak problems but I'm sure someone will let us know soon enough.

In the same vein can any of the testers let us know if us southpaws will have to navigate with WASD as we do in Hammer?

"Lets test this test" lol

[YMalaika]

Originally Posted by timmo

Thanks for the reply guys, @ Alexander... you might have to import into Hammer to add an extra room with moving doors as it seems to be self sealing as you map and with a moving door you might have leak problems but I'm sure someone will let us know soon enough.

In the same vein can any of the testers let us know if us southpaws will have to navigate with WASD as we do in Hammer?

"Lets test this test" lol

WASD navigation is used in the puzzlemaker, but it's not nearly as smooth or critical as it is in Hammer. This is mainly because Hammer's viewport is 1st-person oriented, whereas the puzzlemaker is more isometric and 'outside looking in'. Full mouse button navigation (orbit/pan/zoom) is available, so you should be able to edit puzzles very effectively without WASD if you wish.

[LPChip]

I have 2 modes.

1) I will think of the puzzle entirely (what elements I want in there and how the puzzle will be solved before doing something in the editor. Once I then have the idea nailed down, I will start with building the dimensions of the room and shape it as I add the puzzle elements.

2) I just start shaping the room and add some puzzle elements to see where it goes. I'll draw inspiration from that and either edit what I currently have to include the puzzle or start over in which case I'll be doing 1.

Even though I am not a beta tester, I already have 3 ideas now. Can't wait!!!

[Alexander Bell]

Originally Posted by timmo

Thanks for the reply guys, @ Alexander... you might have to import into Hammer to add an extra room with moving doors as it seems to be self sealing as you map and with a moving door you might have leak problems but I'm sure someone will let us know soon enough.

In the same vein can any of the testers let us know if us southpaws will have to navigate with WASD as we do in Hammer?

"Lets test this test" lol

That's true, maybe I could have the button de activate light bridges that block the turrets. going 2 be fun! 6 days until its out!

[timmo]

@ Ymalaika, away for a few days thank you for taking the time to reply, Youtube vids would seem to bear out what you say and navigation seems to be painless.

Thanks again and very good luck for the release today.

[Idiot Cube]

I have a few ideas for puzzles that I've scribbled on paper. Knowing me, I'll probably use them all in one map and never have another idea again.

[NunamedDragon]

And all the good maps will get flooded by all the crap maps.

[Kariko]

Originally Posted by NunamedDragon

And all the good maps will get flooded by all the crap maps.

Yay for the rating system! Also, hopefully that same system isn't abused by annoying people.