This is my very first map pack, I would like advice and tips on what and/or how I should improve it . Also, please post about all the parts that you liked/disliked. I haven't worked real hard, so this isn't the best I can do. I am really looking forward for it's final release Enjoy!
Download: dload.php?action=file&file_id=188

Note: I still need to fix many things and add things.

Frostyfrog wrote:
This is my very first map pack, I would like advice and tips on what and/or how I should improve it . Also, please post about all the parts that you liked/disliked. I haven't worked real hard, so this isn't the best I can do. I am really looking forward for it's final release Enjoy!

first suggestion: add a link in your first post like this
http://forums.thinking.withportals.com/dload.php?action=file&file_id=188
downloading and playing now

EDIT: I get the node graph out of date error EVERYTIME i play any of these levels. if i move from lvl 1 to 2 i am able to move, but get the AI disabled and nothing happens (cuz ai is disabled) if i "restart" the 2nd map i am stuck and get the errors:

LEVEL DESIGN ERROR: Entity CP4P_switch_1 is parented to itself!
Attemped to precache unknown particle system "explosion_turret_break"!

i tried restarting portal but still getting the same errors

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EDIT #2: ok managed to ~fix~ it. had to load each map individually and buildcubemaps and then restart the first map and it played ok. unfortunatly such "work" turned me off from the maps so that i couldn't really enjoy them properly. sorry. so don't have ALOT good to say. but most of it looks good/ok. although some of the game dynamics are "weird" example in one of the rooms with the rocket launcher there are 4 doors. that seem pointless. the turret itself seems pointless too as its not needed for anything (that i can see)

i was quite surprised in the beginning with the combine and tripods and such. and although "weird" was a funny surprise. i assume you're gunna work this into the story somehow?

also i ~thing~ i reached the end. but not sure i got to the room with the icon of the cameras on the floor, and the weird (i assume for testing purposes only) buttons where glados is doing here "4000 kelvin" spiel, is this the end (as far as your WIP release i mean?)

as i said this looks good and seems to have potential. but after having to work to get them working i barely had the heart to view the maps with a fresh eye. so hopefully the next release will be "fixed"

oh yeah also. even though i managed to play through the maps (after rebuilding hte cubemaps) and wasn't getting the ai disabled error. i WAS getting alot of console errors. alot.

rellikpd wrote:
although some of the game dynamics are "weird" example in one of the rooms with the rocket launcher there are 4 doors. that seem pointless. the turret itself seems pointless too as its not needed for anything (that i can see)

It's main purpose was to be used to break the glass window. Yet it won't work.

rellikpd wrote:
i was quite surprised in the beginning with the combine and tripods and such. and although "weird" was a funny surprise. i assume you're gunna work this into the story somehow?

It's main purpose was to make it seem like you were in the middle of a war and you needed a job.

rellikpd wrote:
also i ~thing~ i reached the end. but not sure i got to the room with the icon of the cameras on the floor, and the weird (i assume for testing purposes only) buttons where glados is doing here "4000 kelvin" spiel, is this the end (as far as your WIP release i mean?)

yes, that is the end, so far.

rellikpd wrote:
as i said this looks good and seems to have potential. but after having to work to get them working i barely had the heart to view the maps with a fresh eye. so hopefully the next release will be "fixed"

oh yeah also. even though i managed to play through the maps (after rebuilding hte cubemaps) and wasn't getting the ai disabled error. i WAS getting alot of console errors. alot.

I'll try to fix that

Bump for the next version!
I think I fixed many problems
I also think I put all the required files with it. If not, I suggest getting Logic Portals.

........................

I hope this doesn't take forever to upload the next version.

Frostyfrog wrote:
Bump for the next version!
I think I fixed many problems
I also think I put all the required files with it. If not, I suggest getting Logic Portals.
........................
I hope this doesn't take forever to upload the next version.

Much better. there are however some SERIOUS issues... but i have to goto bed. i will cover them later. keep up the good work! i'll try to post screen shots and descriptions of said "issues" tomarow when i get off

MEGA EDIT: what follows are gripes/concerns/suggestions and may or may not contain spoilers so there for will be all encompassed by spoiler tags.
- in map ch_01_02.bsp i think it takes WWAAYYYYY to long for the orange portal to open after you get the portal gun. also the glados voice in this area just does NOT fit, its talking about your stay in the relaxation vault and such, when. you were NOT in anything like this. i don't think any glados voice is needed here. actually. i'd rather you take all glados voices out - this is just a gripe. but this looks weird. that its above the surrounding ground, its also like this in the opening map. it just looks weird, no real problem with it. just an opinion, and in my opinion it should be dropped to match the surrounding ground- these should be flipped so they look right?- just showing you that this is possible might need to add some portal bumbers or something, also in this area you activate a rocket turret just to blow up some glass then deactivate it. that just seems unecessary, i don't know. just an opinion.- this roof edge clip is annoying, is there any reason you want the player to have to croutch here? also just fyi, you CAN take the companion cube with you ALL the way through this map. and as such it does not activate buttons is it meant to be brought with you? cuz once you get to the elevator you can't take it with you- just another gripe: in some areas you use the portal-bars prop and others you don't. it just seems inconsitant. might want to put them in places like this.- you can get stuck here, if you jump down here you are stuck, should either put a portable surface down there. or some sort of "danger" looking thing (sparks?) that will kill you- you can now get stuck here? or its atleast REALLY hard to get out. cuz the orange portal is too high to jump out of. and since you use hurricanes cube flipping thing you can't even really seem to use the cube to help you out, i know this is a neat effect (hurricane's cube thing) but it doesn't make much since here- also. after you get the ball into the catcher (in the previous image) right before the elevator, you open an orange portal in the room with the rocket launcher, to use to break the glass so you can get into the elevator; HOWEVER if you jump through the blue portal you are then stuck in there with the rocket turret and apparently have no way back out. atleast that i could see. and i did try MANY different things to get back but not possible?- then once you do get the glass broke and walk to the elevetor this texture area is above the elevator (if you turn around and look down the hall way)- this is just out of my own curiosity, but what is the purpose of this movable platform (the one that moves right after you get the orange portal) is there any purpose? i can't see any, also. you can get the orange portal gun WITHOUT using the ball-launcher/catcher by putting a blue portal on that platform and then use the orange portal to fall down, then, once you do get the OPG and that thing moves a couple of blocks fall out of it, are there any purpose for those? (just curious)- after you beat all the turrets (on the last level?) and glados congratulates you (android) you can walk into the elevator and then walk out before the doors close and it will take off without you, ALSO if you walk into the elevator, walk out, and then walk back in it will take off with you inside, however the doors will open and close several times while moving, looks weird.- AND LASTLY: Your credits map is awesome! its by far the best part of the maps. if you would make the rest of the maps with this type of detail and dedication this thing will shape up to be quite cool, its on its way and you're doing good. keep up the good work!

||1. I will make the edit to ch_01_02. And yes, I know it takes too long, will remove right away.

1. Ya, I need to fix.

2. I need to apply those to the face, not the world.

3. I'll add a no_portal_volume there

4. You can take the cube with you through the entire thing!? It was just meant to be there as a "see you later" kind of thing.

5. Ok, I'll do that.

6. hmm, I just learned about spark. Maybe water with wires and sparks perhaps?

7. ok, I'll make it a timed thing. and also add the sounds.

8. I'll make the previous portal appear.

9. OUCH! How could I not spot that! Oh, how did you get it to break? I just did a run through with my brother and it wouldn't even crack. Missile went right through it.

11.hmmmm, maybe I should make it open up first... oh, there is no real purpose. I just did it for fun.

1. I was planing on fixing that.

2. you like detail? It makes my computer lag quite a bit.||
   I'm still learning so there may be many mistakes.

Frostyfrog wrote:
||1. I will make the edit to ch_01_02. And yes, I know it takes too long, will remove right away.

1. Ya, I need to fix.

2. I need to apply those to the face, not the world.

3. I'll add a no_portal_volume there

4. You can take the cube with you through the entire thing!? It was just meant to be there as a "see you later" kind of thing.

5. Ok, I'll do that.

6. hmm, I just learned about spark. Maybe water with wires and sparks perhaps?

7. ok, I'll make it a timed thing. and also add the sounds.

8. I'll make the previous portal appear.

9. OUCH! How could I not spot that! Oh, how did you get it to break? I just did a run through with my brother and it wouldn't even crack. Missile went right through it.

11.hmmmm, maybe I should make it open up first... oh, there is no real purpose. I just did it for fun.

1. I was planing on fixing that.

2. you like detail? It makes my computer lag quite a bit.||
   I'm still learning so there may be many mistakes.

yeah your credit map is kick ass.
and to answer your #5, yes i can take the companion cube with me from here ALLLLL the way to the end/last fizzler right by the elevator. and you didn't answer is there a reason you make the player crouch there?

and #7 it doesn't really matter how you do it. you can either add some sort of "deadly stuff" down there, or just put a screen higher up so you can't get down there

11 oh ok

No, there isn't really a reason to make th player crouch there. I have fixed that already. I had gotten too lazy to do the fixes. yawns I'll be getting back to work.

EDIT: UH, oh... I think the current release of ch_01_03 is the best it will get.
I keep on getting this from the compilation:

**** leaked ****
Entity prop_static (1280.00 -57.00 -121.00) leaked!

I remove that Portal cleanser and then it says the same thing about a light.

EDIT #2: Nevermind

That's a leak. Load the frikking pointfile by Map>Load Pointfile and look where the red vector is running to. There's your leak.