Custom 3D Maps Question

I got the following question from a student:

How do you make Halo CE maps? Or mods, or whatever.....

To which I replied:

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I've only done minimal world map manipulation, and never for a 3D environment like Halo. From what I hear, it takes a long, long time to do. I heard about a guy who created a custom map for another shooter game, like Halo, and he took three solid months to make it while he was laying in bed sick.

Three months.

A custom 3D map relies on three basic parts:

1. The geometry - this defines where the walls, floor, mountains, etc are. Basically, the shape of your map.

2. The textures - this dictates what objects look like (are they blue, swirly, brick-like?). Basically, the paint color of your maps objects.

3. The behaviors - I don't know if you can adjust these for Halo, but changing the scripts/behaviors modifies what an object does. Basically, this is the stuff--weapons, debris, books--of your map.


If you interested in learning about it, I'd suggest you start here (though, I can't vouch for the content on the site, and it may not be appropriate for some people):

http://hce.halomaps.org/index.cfm?nid=406

If you get stuck, I'm more than happy to try to help, but my brain does not function that way, so I don't know how much help I'd be. <smile>

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To which I received:

LOL, whoa....
That is NOT happening......
Well, thanks, Luke!

Yes, well, media sometimes takes a lot of time. A lot of time, even if you know what you're doing. For example, I posted a video on another blog of mine. The video is less than two minutes in length yet took almost 12 hours from beginning of concept to the video being available online.

Twelve hours.

And I know exactly what I'm doing. <smile>

Give yourself time, and take the time you need for your projects.

~Luke Holzmann
Your Media Production Mentor