Level Design

It shows how to get npc_metropolice to jump down off walls. (Level d1_canals_01a for example).

Have you ever noticed that some 'grass' textures also have tall grass and weeds that show up in game?

Shows how to make an angled pipe using displacements.

This tutorial covers the basics of gameflow, why it is important and how to achieve it.

How to place weapons with ammo in CS:S

Making it Rain or Snow

This tutorial illustrates how to recreate the effect of Gordon Freeman waking, then getting up.

This Tutorial assumes you have completed 'Part-1', of making the corridor.

This Tutorial covers some very basic stuff about env_global specifically the effect of the Gordon Pre-criminal setting in relation to NPC_Citizens following or not following the player.

In this Tutorial we'll explain you how to navigate the Hammer Editor. You'll learn more about the functions of the Tools and the handling of the Editor.

This tutorial was written in response to a query on the Chatbear forum. Shadowofamn wanted to know how to make a ladder, like a fire escape, that slides down to ground level so you can use it.

In this Tutorial we will explain you how to create your first room. You will learn to place one light and a player start and something more. So you got a basic knowledge of building a map.

Shows you what you should use subdivide for

This is fairly basic and does not require an extensive knowledge of Hammer.

An intermediate tutorial, it will try to give as much step by step as possible, but assumes you have Basic knowledge like making a room, using an info_player_start, and putting in a light entity.

In this tutorial I have tried to show how to set up scripted_sequences.

An intermediate tutorial, it will try to give as much step by step as possible, but assumes you have Basic knowledge like making a room, placing entities and texturing.

This shows how to put the Episode 2 car in your map. It also shows how to set up the radar unit, and an example of using it.

The input/output system for the Source engine is a very powerful tool, read on to learn its secrets

Cordon Tools in Hammer are useful for enclosing a map for compiling, if you don't have a skybox yet. Also useful for locating errors in a large map.

This is a tutorial illustrating a use of the info_node_link. An entity that has a link to another info_nodethat can be turned on and off.

This tutorial shows how to make an npc_combinedropship carry and drop off an npc_vehicle_apc.

This tutorial shows how to make the plug that features a lot in the game.

Illustrates the use of func_tracktrain, path_track and the phys_ragdoll_constraint.

This tutorial shows how to make an 'Iris' door.

Illustrates a use of the trigger_wind entity. The VMF has a simple set up some containers on a table and a cardboard box are blown by a gust of wind.

A tutorial on how to get an npc_cscanner to equip itself with Combine Mines and drop them. The scanner uses Path Corners to guide it's movement.

In this tutorial i will show you how to create a basic room with a nice light and how to use the HDR effect in your maps.

This tutorial is a continuation of the fourth tutorial, we will take the rooms made there and join them with a corridor.

This is a tutorial about ncp_strider . It will cover walking.

Want some realistic terrain? Read on!

Resembling the automatic stairs in Portal, this was made for Ep 2. It will work in both Half-life 2 and Portal, just be selective with your textures.

How to set up a zombie breaking through a wall, out of a cupboard and through metal panels (a bit like in the early coast level). I have tried to show a few ways of doing it using, and in the process illustrate a couple of ways of blowing up walls.

Triggered door with button

This is a small tutorial demo, showing how to use the 50 percent falloff distance and 0 percent falloff distance in the light and light_spot entities.

Hanging Entitys from a rope in CS:Source

Making a Rope/Cable

In this Tutorial we'll explain you how to navigate the Hammer Editor. You'll learn more about the functions of the Tools and the handling of the Editor.

Making a Ladder

This is a tutorial from Nero that shows you how to make a carryable blowtorch that you can use to cut open a door.

Creating doors

Shows you how to make a tunnel through the use of displacements

Blow up a wall with an airstrike

Make combine NPCs hurl barrels at the player and fire at them

Making a Rotating Fan

Import Custom Textures

An introduction to scripted_sequences in Source.

An easy little tutorial that teaches the user to create hinged objects. In this example, we'll be making shutters.

how to get npc_seagull to spawn and to fly.

You want to make a ceiling collapse, whether to let in combine soldiers or headcrabs, or just to block a route. In this tutorial, I'll be showing you the basics.

In this tutorial I will try to describe how to make a 3d skybox. See tutorial 100, here for the theory. The map I am making here is a bit like the SDK_3dskybox map, simple enough, but the principles apply to more complicated maps

Making a Spawn and func_buyzone in CS:S

This is another PORTAL tutorial. This one is the basic circular door model with the button that you put the box on to open it.

In HL2 City 17 - there's a scene where you and some rebels are trying to get through a combine gate.

how to make water rise and fall in a map

Alot of people have problems with opening their console.

These cameras are working monitors that turn on when a button is pushed.

How to use XSI to detail your world geometry

This tutorial shows the basic steps to change from one map to another (level change)in the game.

Portal: Changing Textures/Signs

PORTAL tutorial illustrating how to set up the wake up scene at the beginning of the game. It is similar to the scene where Gordon Wakes Up in HL2.

how to make the Magnusson Device spawner from Episode 2.

This is a basic tutorial on displacement mapping

In this tutorial we will learn how to use the sew command with displacement mapping, as well as a few tips for easier dispacement mapping.

Design realistically-breaking glass doors

This tutorial is about the Clip tool.

This is a short simple tutorial outlining the steps you need to take to get an NPC to lead the player to a particular place.

Making Respawnable Entities

The basic principles to Game_UI and Logic_Compare entity control.

This tutorial shows how to make npc_metropolice and npc_combine_s patrol. It's based on ai_goal_actbusy and info_node_hint entities.

Part one of an In-depth tutorial covering the ins and outs of lighting in the Source Engine

This tutorial shows how to place a Thumper (The combine machine that scares the antlions) This is the version you can climb and switch on and off.

illustrating a dangling electric wire

This tutorial shows how you get a Dropship to drop a Strider.

Tutorial showing how to get citizens (NPC's) to come through a door.

This tutorial shows how to electrify something so that touching it hurts the player.

Covers four different ways of making Volumetric Light and in part two shows how to create fake shadows.

this is how you make the camera drop to the ground like in the singleplayer game.

Ever wanted to give areas in your map a name that'll show up under the radar, next to teamchat and that bots will refer to?

Simple tute showing how to do this. Be aware that when they get shot a headcrab appears from nowhere !!

In this first tutorial on the Arch tool, we will make a tunnel, like those seen in HL2.

This tutorial shows the very simple way to make cylinders and spheres using displacements.

This one looks at how you get a dropship to take troops to a particular location on a map.

It is the Battery Puzzle in HalfLife 2 where you have to get the batteries all hooked up.

Let you map have light! A tutorial that will give you a better idea of how simple lights are implemented into your maps and also the effects that they will have on the compiled product.

We'll show everyone who wants to do a Map for HL2 or a different Mod

This is a small tutorial demo, which has an npc_combinegunship flying around for a while and then exploding.

How to construct one from scratch - though there is a prefab in Hammer.

This tutorial shows how to get citizens to jump down, as in the d3_c17_04 level HL2.

An introduction to Source physics

A short story on a 1.6 to source conversion

How to make the inside and outside of a dome using displacement surfaces

This is an example using the undocumented info_lighting_relative entity. Its primary use seems to be to light a prop_dynamic or prop_physics in a situation where a normal lighting source will not fit, or where a special lighting effect is desired.

Cutting holes in things: which tool and why

This tutorial is about Teleports. The map shows four teleports, A to B then B to A.

This tutorial shows how to make a breakable padlock, enabling access to a locked/padlocked area. This is the promised extension to the env_steam tutorial ( No: 51) and uses that VMF.

This is a tutorial on Neon Signs, made by Bud Doug Lee. The VMF has three letter 'A' in red, that blink on one at a time, then all blink on and off.

Using displacement maps to preserve texture alignment around arches.

A list of them, and solutions

The PVC is a camera that you can have static or moving. It changes the players view from the player, to anywhere you like.

In this series of tutorials we will take the room made in the first tutorial, duplicate it, and make a two level room.

Create a basic water setup for your source level

Disguising the player as a combine by Treb_Treb

This tutorial was written by Boomstick123 (with hints from Bornstein) and creates a fully operational keypad for unlocking a door.

make antlions or other npc's assault / move to a place on the map

Early on in Portal, the Portal gun can only place one type of Portal, so the other will be present already. This tutorial originally by Namelezz! shows how to do this.

Making a Bomb Site in CS:Source

How to get physics objects into your Source engine maps

This tutorial shows how to make a simple camera and project a scene onto a monitor.

This tutorial gives you a better idea of how some of those cool water effects in HL2 are created. It's surprisingly simple

This is a tutorial on the env_soundscape entity, written by Mynameisme. It shows how to put in two different soundscapes and how they work in changing from one to another.

Using them, and stopping them from kicking up dust

This article can help bring your older mods back to life on Steam pipe

This is a tutorial on how to make ladders that actually work

This is an extension of the tutorial on cameras.

Take your first steps into creating a map in Valve’s Source SDK.

This builds a BASIC ROOM takes you through making brushes, hollowing, placing the player, adding a light source and some basic texturing operations in Hammer

This tutorial shows how to build a garage door that opens up and over.

This tutorial on an alternative multi choice lift using func_movlinear instead of func_tracktrain.

Using Math_Counters To Trigger Single Events From Multiple Triggers

How to create a rotating door using models.

Need to make some good old fashioned glass in Source? Read on.

Hang 'Em High: phys_ballsocket

This one shows how to create the Zombie lying on the floor who gets up when you appear, 'Zombie Slumprise' I think.

A keypad tutorial with a difference

It makes a Rope Bridge that spans a gap of 256 and is 64 units wide. There are two examples one is breakable.

This tutorial shows how to make a simple rotating light. It's illustrated here as two lights on opposite sides of the fitting, but you can have one or three or more.

This tutorial will try to explain how the phys_pulleyconstraint entity works.

This is a basic tutorial on how the Gravity function works. Put simply, to change the gravity the player must walk through a trigger_gravity brush.

Practical Displacements

One way of using trigger_look. In the VMF - you see a screen of the adjacent room, then a shelf falls down in the room enabling you to get a gun and ammo. Zombies Optional !

List of Half-Life 2 and Counter-Strike Source skynames

In this tutorial we will take the room made in the last and put in two ways of turning the light on and off.

Control NPC actions

This tutorial is on the Vertex edit tool. It attempts to show how to use this tool to manipulate brushes into different shapes.

A Physics Collapsing Ceiling

Doing Buildings and Models the Combine way of life.

This is a tutorial on the 2-D skybox, which is the simpler of the two types of skybox in Hammer.

This tutorial shows how to insert your own .wav file and get a model (GMan in this case) to mouth what you have recorded.

Triggering a Sound

Making distant scenery

A short tutorial illustrating how to get an npc_metropolice to shoot a flare into the air.

This is a short tutorial on the new func_reflective_glass and texture,

In this tutorial we will build a room and divide it with a wall.

Hidden and Dangerous: npc_sniper

Make a door open when shot

Adding that touch of ambience to your Source maps

This example demonstrates how to build a 21 floor spiral staircase using the Paste Special function.

Simple Swinging Light

This is a timer put together by Bud Doug Lee for PORTAL. It is set up so that as soon as the map starts the timer counts down from 30 seconds to zero.

Getting it done despite the bugs

How to blend two existing textures

create a CCTV style monitor that will display two different camera locations on one monitor toggled by a button.

In this tutorial I will show you how to use lightmapscale to help make good, realistic looking shadows.(#1Duck)

The most common reason for props not showing up in the game

*Clip clip* Learn it. Use it. Love it.

How to create destroyed holes realistically via the Clipping and Vertex Edit tools

Introduction to, and use of, a logic_case

How to make a simple door that swings open

A trick for improving player movement through your single or multiplayer level. Touches on the proper use of prop_physics, player clips, and layout techniques.

Create a TV with Breen talking on it

This was my first tutorial, for a pop up ground turret as seen in d3_c17_10b

This was put together by qwerty who was trying to find a way to make the Citizen act like a metrocop guarding an area (ai_goal_police).

Env_Beam

Using the 'Clipping' tool to cut holes

This tutorial follows a request on the Halfwit-2 forum about respawning items.

How to make breakable glass

This is another PORTAL tutorial. This one is the basic circular door model this time with two buttons needed to open the doors.

Ever wondered how Valve made them, find out here!

This tutorial explains how to make a picture of your choice load up as the background picture on the ingame menu page.

You have an nice interior area of your map. You have a few opaque windows and you want to have them cast light into your map.

This is a list of soundscapes for some Source Games

this shows how to make the headcrab canisters that crash in from the sky and disgorge a number of headcrabs.

Texture variation within a terrain surface