3d software packages for cs map making

[sword_]

hi
can anyone help me what would be the cheapest but most effective for making a cs map. I haven't decided what I am going to do with it. Its just that it might give me some knowledge and a bit of experience for designing 3d computer games. What would be easiest to get to grips with and make a decent cs map? My price range is about £100.

[ProdigyFox]

erm - all the things you will need to make a CS or even a HL map or any type of for HL mod are available FREE to all.

I would suggest you get to grips with the HL engine first, I made this reply in another post and I would recommend these things to you as well...

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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
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Hope that helps x2 :)

If you have any more questions just ask here, or on any mapping related forum, theres usually someone out there with the answer and the time to tell you it :)

[Gwil Da Skank Of TA]

also, if you wanna job inside the cg's industry, get ahead of others by

being able to map, ( perhaps working on a mod ) like i do, being able to skin ( me is learning )
if you have more than one skill, and have a good portfolio then there's always a good chance of being hired by a company

just work at it m8 :)
ie - ive improved my chances by working on a mod ( op4 contact http://geocities.com/ratkingofbognor ), where I map, am making some more textures, wavs and skins. and maps

just gotta practice, practice, practice and work for free for d/l able mods
cooolness

all the best m8,
Gwil

[sword_]

thakns m8s i'll statr right away on going to those links. I'll also get practising.
Thanks for the tips.
Can you give me any tips about map making?

[Gwil Da Skank Of TA]

Well, i've found it handy, when thinking about making a map, look at real world architecture - and think what you have seen would be cool in a map
also, don't forget to check your r_speeds on maps for your low end users. its all very well having a salvador dali sculpture with 100,000,000,000 faces ( ! ), but will the people with * lame * computers be able to run it

just a few, If i think of anymore, i will say!