[Smog] 11 Day Level Desgin - Summer

[Smog]

Download Blood Canal

Day One: 10th August 2010

I started planning this level on the plane this morning. I only had an A6 notepad and a pen, so apologies if the plan is a bit cramped.

I've gathered reference images tonight and I think tomorrow i'll be ready to begin blocking out the level.

Plan:


Some references images scattered accross a page:


This will be a survival level for Left 4 Dead.

Tomorrow's Goals:

• - Block-in full level
  - Make sure scale is spot on
  - Walk around the level and get a feel for the flow and whether the layout is suited to the survival mode

Note: This will not be entered into the competitoin.

[Smog]

Day Two: 11th August 2010

I've spent a few hours today working on the level after work. I haven't blocked-in the entire level, but I'm happy with what i have done.

Below is a Cafe/Hotel by the canal.




The lighting and Fog is placeholder for in-game shots.

Here you can see the lock gate, haven't detaild it properly yet.


This is an overview of the level so far.


Sorry for the in-Hammer shots, i haven't compiled the lates version yet. The 'ICE' texture represents Grass.

Tomorrow's Goals:

• - Finish blocking in the level
  - Begin detailing the environment
  - Startworking with Displacements if there is time

[Smog]

Day Three and Four: 12 - 13th August 2010

Unfortunately i got the best part of sod all done yesterday. I need a couple of hours of focused work to get the rest of the level down before I can begin detailing the brushwork.

Yesterday's Efforts:



I tweaked the temporary lighting so you can see what's going on.



There's the Lock, It's big and chunky for now.



There's the boat house, very simple for the moment.

[Smog]

Day Four: Quick Update

I've been working on the level for a couple of hours since my last post. I'm pleased with what i've done, nothing monumental yet, but little things.







I am having an issue with the vertex tool. Any changes i make are applied in the editor, but once i've compiled they're undone...

[Smog]

I feel i've got a lot done today, though it doesn't look that way, unfortunately. I'm too tired to carry on today so i'm going to call it a night.

I think when i've finished this 'Bed and Breakfast' by the Canal it may replace my Georgian building as my favourite building created in Hammer.






Entrance Hall/Foyer.




First Floor corridor leading to 3 Guest rooms and the owners room.


View inside of one of the Guest Rooms.


Owners room.





That's about it for today. Hopefully more progress tomorrow.

[Nexusdog]

looking good so far, especially with the spot on atmospheric traditional British summertime lighting as well, really captures the essence of our weather, Smog... :lol:

[AlexG]

Looking really good Alex. Nice clean brushwork.

[Smog]

Thanks guys.

Today and tomorrow won't be counted in the challenge as life has got a bit too busy. Generally busy today and Family get-together tomorrow. So, back at it on Monday.

[Smog]

Day Five: 16th August

Not a great deal done today, I'm a bit tired. Hopefully much more progress tomorrow, if not then i may not finish it to the standard i was hoping for.

I've mainly been messing about with the cafe/hotel by the canal.

[Oilcake]

Looking good, Smog! I really love the idea of locks, haven't seen that done before... How are you going to close in the edges of the map? That's so commonly the part that freaks me out. Well, one of the big things, anyway!

[Smog]

It's something i'm very wary off and i seem to be avoiding :-) I can see in my mind how i want to block off the edges, but translating that in the editor always proves tricky for me. I think i'll definately be allocating a large proportion of a day on it.

Beyond that, i'll definately be creating a 3D skybox so i can have the canal continue on in the distance, plus i'd like the players to see a town in the distance. I'll spend some time experimenting.

[sarge mat]

It's something i'm very wary off and i seem to be avoiding :-) I can see in my mind how i want to block off the edges, but translating that in the editor always proves tricky for me.

Yea imo its one of the hardest things to do.

[Oilcake]

It's something i'm very wary off and i seem to be avoiding :-) I can see in my mind how i want to block off the edges, but translating that in the editor always proves tricky for me. I think i'll definately be allocating a large proportion of a day on it.

Beyond that, i'll definately be creating a 3D skybox so i can have the canal continue on in the distance, plus i'd like the players to see a town in the distance. I'll spend some time experimenting.

Yeah, I like to avoid it a lot, too! :P And, yeah, I think a day for edging the map and doing the 3D skybox is reasonable. Although I didn't do them at the same time in Escape From Parkdale, I'd say at least that much time was spent. I think the idea of doing them together, at least for a smaller map like one designed for scav/survival, is the best way to go. That's what I'll do next time I do one, anyway!

That said, your ideas sound great! A town in the skybox will be very cool. The canal continuing on is cool, too. It'll just fade into fog eventually, I guess? In any case, I can totally see where you're going with it, and you have a very nice start going on here. Have fun!

[Smog]

Day Six: 17th August 2010

Another slow-progress day today. I'm getting bogged with refining the brushwork in the cafe/hotel. I've also started closing in the level, I'll post screenshots as soon as i'm happy with it.



Added the stairs to the balcony so players have more than one way of getting up there.


Lighting inside is temporary, of course.

I'll either have very little time, or no time at all tomorrow to work on the challenge as once i'm home from work i'll be getting on a train to Hereford.

[goosegous]

Id like to play your map, intense vibe, I can imagine some zombies in the distance.
Looks awesome