Tutorials (A central location for all tutorials)

Wazanator · #1 10-16-2009, 07:45 PM

I figure since there is bound to be a surge of new players when 2.0 comes out that maybe its time we as a community get together and start working on some new tutorials.

(plus we could use a central thread for tutorials) The tutorials can cover any topic as long they pertain to ZPS (mapping, modeling, creating sounds and textures, etc).

When you create your tutorial please try to include the following:

Step by step process in word or notepad or something similar (in English and with proper grammar please)
Pictures/video to go along with it that help explain what your teaching
An example (.vmf, files for compiling model, basic texture and final texture)
Package all of these together in a .zip or .rar file and upload it to a file sharing website

Once you have it uploaded please post here with a link to it and I will add it to this post as well as download it in case your link goes bad.

If someone has made a tutorial and you feel it could have been made better make a better one and upload and I will have both listed up here next to each other so others can make the choice.

How to setup hammer for zps!

Use full info
List of mapping sites
Broken Wall tips from JB
Dimensions of things in source

Tutorials for most source games:
Video tutorials by Silwerfish that are very easy to follow and informative!
How to setup random item placement
How to make graffiti using GIMP (just change the file locations from l4d2 to zps and it will work)
How to make custom textures
Squirming ragdolls
Map Crash Tutorial by Siggy Wiggy Woo
How to open a door using a button
How to make rain/snow/ash and how to make random rain
Making your maps prettier
Doors that blow off there hinges movie style like
Creating a keypad
How to respawn an object (such as a prop or brush)
XSI Prop creation tutorial [part1] [part2] [part3] [part4]
How to UV map in Google Sketchup
How to create a maplist thumbnail
5 minute game timer text
Tutorials by Silverfish on many different subjects
Tips on how to make your map look more realistic Part 1 Part 2

ZPS specific tutorials
Video tutorials covering a wide range of topics (by fenrix)
A prefab example of how to make a build system similar to zpo_hideout
How to create a basic ZPS/ZPH map
Item that spawn depending on server pop
Creating an area that if survivors leave zombies win
How to create randomly spawning objectives (keys in this example)

Prefabs
Button prefabs
Lighting prefabs made by E-arkham
Lobby Prefabs made by E-arkham
Squirming Ragdolls
Plant a c4 objective
Poison gas room that drains after door is open
Breakable Door
Falling body
Monitors that when shot fall (also changes screen texture to broken one)
ZPA side objective prefab
Vending Machine Prefab
Snowblind timer prefab

Tools:
Pakrat a program for putting added content into your map (such as models textures and sounds)
Microbrush2 A tool for creating geometry in your maps fast and easy
Hammer units conversion tool ( Very handy for modelers who's program doesn't come with a tool for converting units to hammer)
Batch Compiler so you don't have to have hammer open while compiling (handy if your comp has low specs)
VTFedit a tool for converting textures to the vtf/vmt format
Google Sketchup (can be exported as models or .vmfs)
Sprites for additional icons in hammer as well as adjustments to the defaults on lighting entities

Free Resources
List of sites with free game models available (some may require you to compile the model yourself)
List of texture sites
100 Level Design Ideas and locations
List of abandoned places (more level ideas)

JB91UK · #2 10-18-2009, 09:38 AM

Waz, didn't we have an idea a little like this a while back and it sort of... flopped? In the event that we do actually do a lovely community made tutorial filled to the brim with .vmfs and notes and shizzle... the devs should totally sticky it...

So yes. Showcase .vmfs with examples of ZPS specific map features. This would include objectives, unique entities such as weapons as well as how to create creepy environments and the brilliant-for-ZPS physics doors.

Let's actually do it this time! Woo! Oh, and on another note my pc is fixed! Yay! So I can help out

Wazanator · #3 10-21-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB91UK

Waz, didn't we have an idea a little like this a while back and it sort of... flopped? In the event that we do actually do a lovely community made tutorial filled to the brim with .vmfs and notes and shizzle... the devs should totally sticky it...

So yes. Showcase .vmfs with examples of ZPS specific map features. This would include objectives, unique entities such as weapons as well as how to create creepy environments and the brilliant-for-ZPS physics doors.

Let's actually do it this time! Woo! Oh, and on another note my pc is fixed! Yay! So I can help out

Actually we never started it but this weekend I was playing zps and people were telling me how much they would like to get involved in making maps and that they were having trouble finding tutorials on them so I decided I should stop procrastinating and start actually giving back to the community

Plus I really wanted a place that I could post these weird prefabs I've made (like ragdolls that start wriggling on the floor as soon as someone enters the room)

JB91UK · #4 10-21-2009, 01:00 PM

Hey man, if you want to make a little project of it, like before I'm all ears. Bear in mind that I specialise in lighting and brushwork, but I'm more than happy to do work with some other stuff so long as I can figure it out

So give me a shout when you want some help.

Gradius · #5 10-22-2009, 11:27 AM

If only I could motivate myself to do one. If I do it will be on interiors (proper portalled windows and window lighting).

JB91UK · #6 10-23-2009, 07:49 AM

Soo... Waz... are we/ you doing this... or what? Or maybe you're in the process of doing it... I must know!

Wazanator · #7 10-23-2009, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB91UK

Soo... Waz... are we/ you doing this... or what? Or maybe you're in the process of doing it... I must know!

I don't know about you but I am

The point of this thread is for anyone who is interested in making a tutorial on a subject that gears towards mapping can make one and then post it. I'll then add it to the first post

You don't need to ask me what tutorial to make just make which ever one you think is need or you think could help people.

This weekend I'm working on one on how to make your map spawn only certain weapons depending on the number of people playing

Gradius · #8 10-23-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wazanator

This weekend I'm working on one on how to make your map spawn only certain weapons depending on the number of people playing

Gasmic. Just for that I'll write a tutorial on... something.

JB91UK · #9 10-23-2009, 12:01 PM

Yeah, I oculd make one on like... mood lighting... not the sexy kind, the creepy zombie kind.

Wazanator · #10 10-25-2009, 10:02 AM

Just finished the tutorial on Items that spawn depending on server pop

Check the first post for link

Going to start working on one to show how to make your very own AI director out of entities already available (random objectives, different prop placement, random lights that start on and off, different paths, weather that is on some rounds and off others, different spawn points for zombies each round and maybe some others I can think of)