Half-Life 2 Mapping Tutorials for Beginners

These tutorials were designed to help beginners in mapping from the time you will learn how to create a simple room with npc's, guns, doors and more. Please watch the rest of the tutorials and read the FAQ before asking questions.

A simple tutorial on how to create your very first map for half-life 2 using the Hammer Editor supplied by Source SDK.

-- VIDEO LINKS NOW UPDATED --

FAQ wrote:
1. Q: When I try to run the map it comes up with this error:
The command failed. Windows reported the error:
2. Q: When I create a shape using the block tool, it doesn't have a texture like on the video does, what did I do wrong?
3. Q: Am I able to make a map for other mods by Half-life 2 such as Garry's mod 9 or 10?
4. Q: How do I add sound into my map?
5. Q: What do you use to make maps with?
"The system cannot fine the file specified"
6. Q: I went to file, run map, ran HL2, pressed the ~ button but the console doesn't come up for me, why not?

Please comment or message me if you require some questions answered.

-----------------------------------------------------------

1. Q: When I try to run the map it says
The command failed. Windows reported the error:
"The system cannot fine the file specified"
1. A: Your map name would most likely obtain a space; NEVER have a space in a map name, replace these with underscores.

2. Q: When I create a shape using the block tool, it doesn't have a texture like on the video does, what did I do wrong?
2. A: I explained in the tutorial that if the box has not got a texture, go into camera which is at the top left of the 3d view, and go 3d textured.

3. Q: Am I able to make a map for other mods by Half-life 2 such as Garry's mod 9 or 10?
3. A: Yes, when you create your map and save it (.vmf) in hammer, go file/run (or compile) and make sure all of the check boxes are the same as what I explain in the tutorial.
After compiling the .bsp will be in your half-life2\hl2\maps folder and in the directory to where you saved the .vmf to.

Just copy that into the gmod\maps folder.

4. Q: How do I add sound into my map?
4. A: Add in a ambient_generic, change the sound to what you want and then untick "starts quiet" and "is NOT looped" in the flags tab.

5. Q: What do you use to make maps with?
5. A: I use Valve hammer editor which comes with Source SDK which is in the tools menu, this can be downloaded for free off steam.

6. Q: I went to file, run map, ran HL2, pressed the ~ button but the console doesn't come up for me, why not?
6. A: Go into options, controls and go advanced and check "Press ~ for console".

HL2 Mapping Tutorial, Your first Map: Part 1

HL2 Mapping Tutorial, Your first Map: Part 2

HL2 Mapping Tutorial, Vid 2; Doors: Part 1

HL2 Mapping Tutorial, Vid 2; Doors: Part 2

These tutorials were designed to help beginners in mapping from the time you will learn how to implement buttons into your map. Please watch the rest of the tutorials and read the FAQ before asking questions.

A simple tutorial on how to create your very first map for half-life 2 using the Hammer Editor supplied by Source SDK.

FAQ wrote:
1. Q: When I try to run the map it comes up with this error:
The command failed. Windows reported the error:
2. Q: When I create a shape using the block tool, it doesn't have a texture like on the video does, what did I do wrong?
3. Q: Am I able to make a map for other mods by Half-life 2 such as Garry's mod 9 or 10?
4. Q: How do I add sound into my map?
5. Q: What do you use to make maps with?
"The system cannot fine the file specified"
6. Q: I went to file, run map, ran HL2, pressed the ~ button but the console doesn't come up for me, why not?

Please comment if you require some questions answered.

---------------------------------------- -------------------

1. Q: When I try to run the map it says
The command failed. Windows reported the error:
"The system cannot fine the file specified"
1. A: Your map name would most likely obtain a space; NEVER have a space in a map name, replace these with underscores.

2. Q: When I create a shape using the block tool, it doesn't have a texture like on the video does, what did I do wrong?
2. A: I explained in the tutorial that if the box has not got a texture, go into camera which is at the top left of the 3d view, and go 3d textured.

3. Q: Am I able to make a map for other mods by Half-life 2 such as Garry's mod 9 or 10?
3. A: Yes, when you create your map and save it (.vmf) in hammer, go file/run (or compile) and make sure all of the check boxes are the same as what I explain in the tutorial.
After compiling the .bsp will be in your half-life2\hl2\maps folder and in the directory to where you saved the .vmf to.

Just copy that into the gmod\maps folder.

4. Q: How do I add sound into my map?
4. A: Add in a ambient_generic, change the sound to what you want and then untick "starts quiet" and "is NOT looped" in the flags tab.

5. Q: What do you use to make maps with?
5. A: I use Valve hammer editor which comes with Source SDK which is in the tools menu, this can be downloaded for free off steam.

6. Q: I went to file, run map, ran HL2, pressed the ~ button but the console doesn't come up for me, why not?
6. A: Go into options, controls and go advanced and check "Press ~ for console".

HL2 Mapping Tutorial, Vid 3; Buttons: Part 1

HL2 Mapping Tutorial, Vid 3; Buttons: Part 2

HL2 Mapping Tutorial, Vid 3; Buttons: Part 3

These tutorials were designed to help beginners in mapping. Here you will learn how to create ladders and a 3d sky. Please watch the rest of the tutorials and read the FAQ before asking questions.

A simple tutorial on how to create your very first map for half-life 2 using the Hammer Editor supplied by Source SDK.

FAQ wrote:
1. Q: When I try to run the map it comes up with this error:
The command failed. Windows reported the error:
2. Q: When I create a shape using the block tool, it doesn't have a texture like on the video does, what did I do wrong?
3. Q: Am I able to make a map for other mods by Half-life 2 such as Garry's mod 9 or 10?
4. Q: How do I add sound into my map?
5. Q: What do you use to make maps with?
"The system cannot fine the file specified"
6. Q: I went to file, run map, ran HL2, pressed the ~ button but the console doesn't come up for me, why not?

Please comment if you require some questions answered.

---------------------------------------- -------------------

1. Q: When I try to run the map it says
The command failed. Windows reported the error:
"The system cannot fine the file specified"
1. A: Your map name would most likely obtain a space; NEVER have a space in a map name, replace these with underscores.

2. Q: When I create a shape using the block tool, it doesn't have a texture like on the video does, what did I do wrong?
2. A: I explained in the tutorial that if the box has not got a texture, go into camera which is at the top left of the 3d view, and go 3d textured.

3. Q: Am I able to make a map for other mods by Half-life 2 such as Garry's mod 9 or 10?
3. A: Yes, when you create your map and save it (.vmf) in hammer, go file/run (or compile) and make sure all of the check boxes are the same as what I explain in the tutorial.
After compiling the .bsp will be in your half-life2\hl2\maps folder and in the directory to where you saved the .vmf to.

Just copy that into the gmod\maps folder.

4. Q: How do I add sound into my map?
4. A: Add in a ambient_generic, change the sound to what you want and then untick "starts quiet" and "is NOT looped" in the flags tab.

5. Q: What do you use to make maps with?
5. A: I use Valve hammer editor which comes with Source SDK which is in the tools menu, this can be downloaded for free off steam.

6. Q: I went to file, run map, ran HL2, pressed the ~ button but the console doesn't come up for me, why not?
6. A: Go into options, controls and go advanced and check "Press ~ for console".

Half-Life 2 Mapping Tutorials - Vid 4 - Ladders

HL2 Mapping Tutorial, Vid 5: Sky: Part 1

HL2 Mapping Tutorial, Vid 5: Sky: Part 2

Hl2 Mapping Tutorial, Vid 6: Water