3 Workflow Techniques - Draw Top-Down Level Design Multiplayer Map Layouts (CS:GO Used as Example)

[@devinrayolsen1]

This was absolutely great! I get lost with a blank piece of paper very easily, so finally having procedures and methods is a HUGE eureka moment for me! Method 1 with grid paper is amazing I must say. Only part I wish was covered better would be path drawing; it took me a min to realize three very important parts about path drawing: - Start your path off as a shape so that it has sides to create more paths from 2:58 - Use these sides of starting shape to create more paths, not corners or ends of starting shape. 3:00 - Avoid connecting paths at corners or existing junctions 3:13 3:21 You are a beast for not using graph paper and a freaking PEN! Thank you!

[@WorldofLevelDesign]

Great comment.Thanks Devin! Ink pens all the way!

[@valia]

Nice details, i haven't notice. Thanks!

[@KDT008]

I never really thought of creating a csgo map like this I usually just drive right into the hammer editor without having a complete picture in my head. Thanks so much for the video man :)

[@sebastiano_42]

Really like your tutorials, clear and really helpful !

[@WorldofLevelDesign]

+Sebastiano Rota Thank you Sebastiano.

[@elvismannen5572]

I have waited for this video thanks thanks!!

[@masterloganisonxbox]

Did you make the top down layouts yourself? If so, HOW THE HELL DO YOU HAVE SUCH NICE HAND WRITING! Nice video btw

[@WorldofLevelDesign]

+Matrix yeah, i drew the layout as I filmed then sped up the videos; my handwriting and line quality still needs a lot of work but it's slowly getting there; thanks for watching man!

[@micflynn1]

I subscribed a few years back to your emails, I just recently started watching your videos, I like the way you present the information and the videos have been very helpful and educational! Thanks for sharing!

[@WorldofLevelDesign]

+Mike Flynn Thank you very much and thanks for watching Mike.

[@onebeets]

How did you read my mind dude, this is exactly what I was looking for

[@emmanuartmoz]

Thanks man, was creating with out map..

[@Nyllsor]

Good brain-food! Feeling like finally starting a new map again.p.s. I hope there will be Source 2 tutorials when the official (non-dota2) tools come out! Peace bro!

[@WorldofLevelDesign]

+Nyllsor Thanks for watching. I can't wait until the official Source 2 level editor comes out.

[@blessone]

Good video, keep on!

[@silasohien7506]

So helpful thx 🙏🏽 man

[@user-qc1mc2ly8j]

I'm gonna use this for my own game, since it's a top down fighting game. Thanks

[@jamiefurey564]

Another great video 👍🏻 Thank you!

[@Immatreee]

I can't wait to try this out, thanks for the tips!

[@valia]

Hey very valuable content! The fist method is really cool and help me a lot. Much thanks!

[@WorldofLevelDesign]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@fatscooterlady2263]

Are you going to make a video about changing heights and stairs in a CS:GO Map ?

[@mariababara8566]

this tutorial is great , realy helped get me , thanks

[@flinchous5228]

Thought i might add this but if you have drawing software then you can do the overlaying by lowering the opacity on one layer to draw on top with another

[@Yourname942]

how do you plan out verticality in your top downs?

[@mikeGNTR]

I'm curious too

[@WorldofLevelDesign]

I would usually do another version from the top-down but side view to show verticality. Also while creating top-down I am constantly visualizing what the map might look like and if I need to clear it up more then I'd do a side version of certain sections. Also if you are good at drawing, you could do "isometric" drawing of the map or use Google Sketchup software. I haven't used Sketchup for layouts myself, but I've seen others use it.

[@Yourname942]

Any chance of creating a video or visualization of an example? (similar to how you are showing and explaining your process in "almost-realtime" from this video)

[@WorldofLevelDesign]

I might do one. Been wanting to do something like this for Deathmatch and Capture the Flag map types.

[@Yourname942]

That would be fantastic!

[@metasamsara]

Hi, this video is very interesting. However, I came here for something and didn't get an answer in your video. How do you draw gameplay mechanics like one way paths and vertical intertwining? How do you take those into account when creating a level design that is balanced?

[@josephs.3372]

it's a limitation I see with planning maps in this fashion, and I think it results in maps being 6:4 horizontal:vertical which isn't to my taste. I appreciate engine's that allow in-game editing because it makes vertical mapping much more intuitive and easy.

[@RDaneelOliwav]

i would have needed that half a year ago ;D

[@liljoen9168]

I want to turn a room 30 degrees. How do i get the walls and the roof to line up? I also want to line it up with the roome next to it. How? Love your videos! Keep it up : D

[@WorldofLevelDesign]

+Bantér Thanks Banter. I'm guessing you are talking about in Hammer editor? To get the angles in your geometry, use Vertex Tool (Shift+V) - developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Hammer_Vertex_Tool

[@LoganCovers91]

+Bantér You can also go to Tools > Transform -> and Rotate on the Z axis either 30° or (360-30)°

[@paulg2513]

Great Video! But I have a problem. All Bsp bruahes are even like floor inside a house. How can I do it uneven like the floor in DustII?

[@WorldofLevelDesign]

+Paul Galuta Thanks Paul. That is one downside with paper layout is implementing height (z-axis). You can either write down and note where the areas are going to go up or down on paper or draw a side view where it will go up/down a floor. Just keep in mind where the height changes are going to be implemented and then inside the editor, block them in right away. Remember, the paper layout is just a means to help you clear up the layout in your mind but it will change based on feedback you get from play-testing and seeing it inside the game.

[@paulg2513]

+WorldofLevelDesign thanks keep up the good work

[@DaddyC00L666]

Ive been working on a map but i cant seem to find useable props for the setting i want. Can you use props from other maps than the ones already in Hammer? I want to use props from season and santorini but i cant find them in the prop browser.

[@aheahetaroman]

Where do the map ideas come from?

[@WorldofLevelDesign]

Anywhere and everywhere but focus on what locations and environments do YOU find interesting? Locations that you see that would be fun to play through? Here is a blog post to help get you started for 100+ ideas I wrote: worldofleveldesign.com/categories/level_design_tutorials/100_level_design_ideas/100_level_design_ideas_and_locations.php

[@StrikevonNice]

I had tried this but for multi story levels I found it hard to know when to cut them off and draw it at a different level especially since I wanted them to connect. I suggestions on how to do plan multi leveled maps which are interconnected?

[@WorldofLevelDesign]

+StrikeVonNice for multiple floors I usually attach another piece of paper or draw it on a separate sheet. It is one of the down-sides of paper layouts - hard to manage height. You may want to try SketchUp if your layout is interconnected and includes a lot of height variation; or just test it out in the editor as you plan your layouts on paper. Just remember that paper layouts are to help you clear your head and put your ideas on paper, if you struggling to make it happen with certain layouts - change the technique and try something different.

[@thomasnguyen1150]

hi World of level design, I really like your videos and I have question. In CS GO SDK how do I know what size to make my map if I already planned the layout? Or do I just make a big platform and build my map on it

[@thomasnguyen1150]

never mind , I just watched one of your videos that uses a player spawn as a reference, and that is such a good idea!😃

[@notanorangepeel5875]

+Thomas Nguyen which vid :C

[@0mgiPiex]

Can you delete props in csgo while in game? Like the dynamic and physic props that you can spawn? Thank you!

[@MegaKosan]

Yes, aim at it and use "ent_remove". Type it into the console or bind it.

[@kewkumbgamesofficial6834]

can you possibly cover how you would do this for outdoors? I'm talking time periods without cities and things. Also how would you then go and block this in?

[@psychopass4052]

Awesome

[@DummySnek]

Is the same workflow applicable for single player campaign maps too?

[@oDr0ppYx]

I made a pretty sick map design, but I am not really good at scaling the map. Can you help me out with that please?

[@oDr0ppYx]

This is my map design btw, i66.tinypic.com/1zxxiee.jpg I really hope you can help me out

[@sechmascm]

+oDr0ppYx you should put the bomb sites closer to ct spawn

[@oDr0ppYx]

+Touff Yup, was thinking about it, thanks!

[@sechmascm]

+oDr0ppYx you should put the tunnel going straight into A site

[@bluesjinsoo]

wow good

[@ethosaur]

Does this apply somewhat to Team fortress 2 also?

[@WorldofLevelDesign]

+ethosaur you could definitely apply the techniques and the principles from the video to TF2, and just ignore the CSGO gameplay mechanics that are covered in the video

[@WorldofLevelDesign]

+RayereSs Great comment!

[@elvismannen5572]

How do u upload your map to workshop?

[@WorldofLevelDesign]

+ElvisMannen see this document from Valve developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/CSGO_Map_Publish_Tool

[@p0larz0mbies]

CT sided

[@WorldofLevelDesign]

+polarzombies through playtest feedback it should be balanced out

[@creamacoffee6943]

kewl m8

[@creamacoffee6943]

first