Map Flow

First Pass

Block-out map in 3D

As little detail as possible
Use reference models to scale correctly

Apply only 2-3 basic materials

Placeholder textures
Include a light source (ex. "+sky" material)

Get geometry ready for export & structure

Apply basic UV mapping
Ensure there are no open edges
Convert to Editable Mesh

Export to .jms

Blitzkrieg Plugin (3ds Max 7 or 8)

Official Bungle plugin
Not supported by later versions of 3ds max
Fast export even for large/complex maps
Can export as Editable Poly
Can export model regions

Bluestreak Plugin (3ds Max 2012)

Third Party plugin
Supports later version of 3ds Max
Slow export for large/complex maps
Only exports correctly for Editable Mesh
Cannot export model regions (AFAIK)

Save in "\data\" directory

For example: "levels\test\bloodgulch\models\map_name.jms
If re-exporting, replace older version of .jms file

Tool.exe Structure

In tool, use the command: "structure levels\path_to\map_folder map_name"
For example: "structure levels\test\bloodgulch bloodgulch"
Generates .scenario and .scenario_structure_bsp tag files

Success

Errors Found

Guerilla .scenario Tag Properties

Skies setup

Selecte a .sky tag
Choose "multiplayer" as the type

Starting Equipment Setup

Choose flags (grenade options)
Specify types (gametypes)
Select .item_collection tags

Tool.exe Lightmaps

Applies lighting to the BSP model

In tool, use the command:
"lightmaps levels\path_to\map_folder\.scenario_tag .scenario_structure_bsp debug quality"

Good quality: "lightmaps levels\test\bloodgulch\bloodgulch bloodgulch 1 0.000001"
Debug quality: "lightmaps levels\test\bloodgulch\bloodgulch bloodgulch 0 0.1"

If geometry errors are found at this point,
the resulting .wrl file will be named "debug.wrl"
instead of "map_name.wrl"

Success

Errors Found

Debug Phase

Use tool's feedback to identify geometry errors

Common non-geometry related errors

Bad syntax in tool.exe
Invalid folder directory

Use .wrl file to location geometry errors in 3ds Max

Some versions of 3ds Max require the 32-bit version in order to import .wrl files
Delete .wrl geometry when finished

Fix geometry errors

Common geometry-related errors

Open Edges

Overlapping vertices

Select all vertices & weld
Check for slightly offset coordinates

Overlapping edges

Correct model triangulation in Editable Poly
Delete duplicated edges

Overlapping faces

Check for slightly offset coordinates
Delete diplicate faces
Use correct material names for transparent/double-sided geometry

Bad ("stretched") UV's

For first pass, apply a quick box map
For later passes, use error geometry to locate & repair

Bad material names

Material names don't correspond to shader tags
Incorrect use of special material types

Improvements to: Level Population or BSP Properties

Yes

Improvements to: Lightmaps

Yes

Improvements to: .scenario Tag Properties

Yes

Improvements to: Level Geometry

Yes

Detail Passes

Scale adjustments

Add detail to the map

Apply & attach prefabs to level geometry

UV mapping

Establish/distinguish landmarks and important areas

Add detail progressively over multiple passes

Reduces debugging time
Getting the model in-game more often is
crucial to producing playable builds of
incrementally increasing quality

Portaling and sightline optimization

Adjustment of light sources

If it is necessary to run high-quality
lightmaps to achieve the results
desired, consider creating a lighting
test-map that contains only the
section you are trying to light

Sapien Level Population

Place player starting positions
Place netgame equipment (weapons & powerups)
Place netgame flags (CTF flags, hill, race points, oddball)
Place scenery objects (terrain objects, light opjects, etc.)

Sapien BSP Properties

Background Sound
Sound Environment
Fog & Weather
Decal Placement

Sapien BSP Properties

In tool, use the command:
"build-cache-file levels\path_to\map_folder\.scenario"

"build-cache-file levels\test\damnation\damnation"

If map builds are being distributed for testing, ensure that builds are
named differently (replacing & redistributing .map files of the same name
can cause errors for testers & the server