Hey everyone, I'm new to this forum so let me introduce.

I started mapping in startcraft broodwar back in 2005 and my passion for level design never stopped. Always been a pure Valve fan, and with the SDK tools available, i went from 2D to 3D. Anyways, now I'm studying in level design in Montreal and I'm having a homework..

Create a portal map with a walk through of 3 minutes. (Walk through means you know the puzzles and you don't have to think about anything) SO it is clearly a big project for such a small time ( Project was given on July 15th, it is due August 3rd.. )

Setting on the map: I didn't focus much on the story, but you basically start in the cubicle room (similar to original game) and you go through some bts/aperture labs/ testchambers. I had to introduce the portal gun in a cool way, which I'm still tweaking and finishing.

Here is some screenshots:

http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/9348 ... 110000.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/8396 ... 110006.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/6083 ... 110003.jpg

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/8866/p ... 110004.jpg

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/7056/p ... 110002.jpg

BETA DOWNLOAD LINK: dload.php?action=file&file_id=342

There is another room in progress. All this was done in 1 week and a half. I know the lightning is off in some parts and I didn't build cubemaps yet.

I need your comments !

just use [img] tags, no [url] tags.
the plastic texture you have (the edge of the platform, with the circle shape texture) should either just use the plain white plastic or the same texture as the top.
You aren't using the right textures for everything. Consult this texture guide for info: http://wiki.thinkingwithportals.com/wiki/Texture_Guide

trcc wrote:
Well, you suggest to remove the circles? I don't want my map to have a clone-portal-feeling. Don't we have all our own style? As long as it fits in the portalesque theme, I see no problem with that!?

Because the textures you did decide to use just look bad.

And what kind of Glowing supernova thing is that in image #4?

@Remmiz We just got a new member... try not to scare them away? We're lacking members as it is.

@ Remmiz: Why do you say the textures look bad? That is an opinion, I respect it, but it is definitely not the absolute truth. Thanks for nice criticism.

@Supernova: It is a light static prop that comes down the ceiling, It looks wierd, that's why i liked it, it shocks people

(sorry for my bad spelling, my native language is french)

Omnicoder wrote:
If you listen to the developer commentaries included with portal, they explain why its all boring. Colorful things distract people. They kept it boring and consistent and used cool, gray colors with war, colors to show the difference between objects and other stuff.

Ok, I will listen to that. Thanks for the info.

Just have one more question about portal: I played portal prelude and like 1-2 custom maps and I noticed that a lot of people uses timing puzzles.

Do people using enjoy timing puzzles? ( I don't)
I prefer thinking puzzles as well as puzzles that requires certain skills.

If you have a lot more questions/etc about portal go to the IRC chat link at the top. Faster then using forum posts.

Am i doing something wrong?

NVM IM DUMB It works. ( not the plugin.. I had to make a search for efnet servers in canada )..

(Until someone contacts them. . )

reepblue wrote:
There is no active Admins/Mods. I think if we get hit with a spambot, that is it for us.

(Until someone contacts them. . )

I knew hobber wasn't comming here anymore, but were did sleeper go?

I think your pics looks pretty nice. I dont mind people using other textures than the usual portal ones. As long as it looks good and it is well done.

The only sad thing is that most of those maps i tried were awefull. I'd really like to see a nice half-Life/Portal map with working npc's that are not anoying. I liked the "mabeblackmesa" map but its the only one i can recall that was long, fun and well done (despite some minor bugs).

Anyway i hope you will post the final version of your map here once it is complete.

Hope you have a few positive feedback, if you don't it's ok the goal here is to improve!

BETA DOWNLOAD LINK: dload.php?action=file&file_id=342

If i ever make another portal map, I will probably do it in a more conservative way. I feel this map is way too short for using bts/labs/chambers in a single map. What do you think.

trcc wrote:
BETA DOWNLOAD LINK: dload.php?action=file&file_id=342

I like the description: "A school project I had to do." But you didn't have to release it.

Also, the security cameras won't fall if you place a portal.