AP map guidelines

[NinjaDeer*]

Seems like a good idea to have a thread about the basic rules and must-have's in an AP map, maybe tips and tricks aswell but the main idea of the thread is setting rules any mapper should follow(to a certain extent).
Keep in mind that these are not RULES but rather guidelines we recommend you follow for a good map.
If you know any please post them(with maps as a good/bad example or guides/pictures preferably)
for mapping in general visit this link


Gameplay:

-Make corners out of one brush instead of 2 brushes, if the corner is made with 2 brushes you can't cut it(corner cutting is when you land infront of the corner and jump past it, important aspect in AP gameplay).

-Avoid terrain, terrain makes things more random than they should be, especially when OB is turned on.
if you can find a way to have terrain in your map without the running becoming random go ahead.
Also, having terrain purely for decoration is fine.

-Use checkpoints; especially when your map is long, its very annoying having to guess how well you're doing during a run.`

-Avoid stairs, no one likes them, they seem to make things random, but theyre fine for decoration.
If you want your slope to look like a staircase put a slope with clip texture over it.`

-Avoid spots that slow the speed considerably. This would mean drops down, too tight corners etc. For example map "alienbase" is awesome looking but gameplay is horrible because of the drops down.

-Make at least 3 route possibilities at some part of the map, more often the better.

-Avoid long slope up parts on OB maps, as they sometimes tend to "swallow" the player in and lose the speed.

-Don't put trim/support brushes in the wall after ramps.

-Don't make tiny brushes on the floor (i.e. jumppad edges are little higher than center). Lower than 32 units brushes are just pain in the ass. If you however decide it looks better, then clip the lower part to the same height with higher brushes.

-Smaller ramps are ok in the beginning, but having to ramp something small with 2000 ups and 40 seconds worth of running already, will be rather hard, and also very frustrating if you fail.

[uglyBunny]

nice guidelines

[NinjaDeer*]

nice guidelines

`
not sure if sarcasm

i want to add more but i have to find the time and motivation to do so, im also waiting on input from the other people on the forum( you dont have to be a mapper to know do's and donts)

[uglyBunny]

no,theyre really nice
especially cause they dont include special opinions

[pupup0x]

Avoid spots that slow the speed considerably. This would mean drops down, too tight corners etc. For example map "alienbase" is awesome looking but gameplay is horrible because of the drops down.

Make at least 3 route possibilities at some part of the map, more often the better.

Avoid long slope up parts, as they sometimes tend to "swallow" the player in and lose the speed.

Don't put trim/support brushes on the roof after ramps.

Don't make tiny brushes on the floor (i.e. jumppad edges are little higher than center). Lower than 32 units brushes are just pain in the ass. If you however decide it looks better, then clip the lower part to the same height with higher brushes.

Smaller ramps are ok in the beginning, but having to ramp something small with 2000 ups and 40 seconds worth of running already, will be rather hard, and also very frustrating if you fail.

[NinjaDeer*]

no,theyre really nice
especially cause they dont include special opinions

whats a special opinion? the way you post really makes it look like youre being sarcastic

thanks for the input hupo, but i believe this:

Avoid long slope up parts, as they sometimes tend to "swallow" the player in and lose the speed.

was an issue with OB, so it would only occur on maps where OB is enabled now.

[uglyBunny]

haha i cant avoid writing sarcastically

whats a special opinion?

for example "always place slopes and ramps"

[pupup0x]

don't put trims @ roof after ramp