We have setup a new discussion board for all Puzzle Creator related questions and discussion. Please try to keep all non-Hammer mapping specific questions and Workshop publishing questions in this board! In the coming days we'll be setting up more concise information - tutorial videos, screenshot threads, and so on.

EDIT 5/10
Long time Source mapper and forum contributor Mr. Happy has started a thread for hacks and protips for the new Puzzle Creator for those who want to get more involved in the technical aspects. It's only 2 pages so far but it's a great thread already. Stop by and add your info as we dissect the puzzle creator and how it works!

Speaking of the Workshop, we are working on setting up a new Workshop frontend to accompany - and ultimately replace - our existing Download Database. We will have lots more information regarding this as things move forward, but basically the idea is to urge all new map releases to be through the Workshop platform. This won't be for a while since, at present, the Workshop platform only supports singleplayer map releases. But looking towards the future, you can expect TWP's new release system to be highly integrated to the Workshop platform.

In the meantime, lpfreaky has setup a "pimp your Workshop release" thread where you can post a link to your new Workshop maps. Also here's a protip: The existing download system lets you specify an external link to a file. You can release your map using this method by using your Workshop release URL in the download's external URL!

I've also gone ahead and upgraded a new batch of members to Community Contributor. For those of you just joining ThinkingWithPortals, our Community Contributors are the purple username members who have in one way or another given back to TWP and the Portal 2 community. Maybe it was a great map release, or maybe it was being helpful here on the boards. Either way - say hi to the new kids on the block!

On a similar subject, it's about that time for another one of Djinndrache's Community Roundups where we highlight the best maps of the past few weeks. Be sure to check back when that hits!

With the new Workshop features, the new board for the puzzle creator, and TWP in general growing as a central part of the Portal 2 community, we are on the lookout for new staff members again. News posters, map reviewers, and other highly active members of the community: If you are interested in helping TWP out, let us know! Go ahead and post here and we'll be taking a look at names.

And finally, here is a video of a kitten trying to intimidate a ball.

AAYrZ69XA8c

See you next time.

msleeper wrote:
And finally, here is a video of a kitten trying to intimidate a ball.

Make sure to know that this is the important part of the news!

Djinndrache wrote:
msleeper wrote:

And finally, here is a video of a kitten trying to intimidate a ball.

Make sure to know that this is the important part of the news!

It's mesmerizing!

msleeper wrote:
And finally, here is a video of a kitten trying to intimidate a ball.

LOL... Msleeper, really... this is like an English mood sketch! Awesomely funny, not for the kitten itself in the video (which is so funny btw!), but for simply drop it there suddenly at the end of the post! ...hahahahaha... Very Monthy Python's like!

-I'm still got the blue username, YES!
Note:I hate purple and green as much as I hate Mysterio, who also wears purple and green

-msleeper sounds nice and enthusiastic?!!?
What the heck have I been missing in the last few weeks? checks CAT scan It all comes back to cats! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

MasterLagger wrote:
-I'm still got the blue username, YES!
Note:I hate purple and green as much as I hate Mysterio, who also wears purple and green

Then you hate a lot of people around here, you know?

Djinndrache wrote:
MasterLagger wrote:

-I'm still got the blue username, YES!
Note:I hate purple and green as much as I hate Mysterio, who also wears purple and green

Then you hate a lot of people around here, you know?

Kick him in the teeth!

Spam Nugget wrote:
No worries. thanks for clearing that up.

Hahahahah... I hate you and ML too...
Only kidding. I just want to murder you both violently...

msleeper wrote:
The existing download system lets you specify an external link to a file. You can release your map using this method by using your Workshop release URL in the download's external URL

I was under the impression that we were confining our workshop maps to that one thread (which is actually working out pretty well). Are you suggesting that we do this?

...I also realized I don't actually know HOW to upload a .bsp to thinkingwithportals.com, much less link to my workshop map.

EDIT: To be clear, I meant that I had to go find the clearly labeled thread explaining how.

Instantiation wrote:
...I also realized I don't actually know HOW to upload a map, much less link to my workshop map.

EDIT: To be clear, I meant that I had to go find the clearly labeled thread explaining how.

Uploading here is easy: post64274.html

Uploading a hammer map to the workshop is a bit more work. Check out: post73546.html

If you're wondering how you can upload a workshop map to the workshop, click publish from the drop down menu in the top left-hand corner. It will give you a menu to change the tittle and description of your chamber, compile again and then appear on the steam workshop.

To view your maps you made or published to the workshop: click the 'View my Workshop' Button inside the 'Community Maps' section in Portal 2.