ok.. im a newbie and i want to make CS maps??

[(dc)twister(dcl)]

yep i tried making UT maps using UnrealED but the furthest i got was a square room with a few weapons in.

i was just wondering if there are any easy to use map editors out there particually for half life or if there where nay easy to understand guides?

[ProdigyFox]

Worldcraft is usually rated as the best HL editor, mainly cause its used and maintened now by Valve. And works with HL, any mods for it, and very likely the upcoming (did I say upcoming? I meant the never-coming) TF2: BrotherHood of Arms, which I am correct in saying (?) that Gooseman will be working on a CS2 for it.

Its best to try and learn a more recognised editor for HL then maybe one of the others, mainly cause its the most supported and widely used.

http://halflife.gamedesign.net/ - probably one of the best HL editing sites out there, also has links to d.l WC3.3 and other useful tools. Also has guides and tutorials from basic HL editing to more advanced tricks. Make sure you d.l Zoners halflife tools as well so you can compile your levels.

To even begin making CS maps you have to understand how HL maps are made, so read read read (half of learning how to map is reading alone imo).

Once you think you got the basics of HL editing you can then create CS maps, details here: http://www.counter-strike.net/mapping.html, and read the CS mapping forums to ask questions (although remember most basic editing questions are already answered in most guides, you just need to look), also check out the boards to see what is being done by other mappers. Studying and comparing other mappers work is a good way of working out how to make good maps.

Hope that helps :)

BTW there are other mapping programs, such as QuArK(www.planetquake.com/quark) and QRADIANT has HL support i think, and theres maybe(?) a few others.

Theres probably a load of links missing here but erm :E

[-[Raven]-]

It takes at least a year of practice to make maps that can reach the quality to become an official CS map.

Hell, I've been mapping for 3 years, and am only just getting the knack of it. Never released any of course, that'd be bad, but it really helps you to think 3 dimensionally, and you'll be able to suss out things much quicker that other people can. Quite weird really, but good to show off your amazing intellect. Or maybe every1 I know is thick :)