Editing | Mapping | Tutorials | R_Speeds
Tips on keeping r_speeds down down
down....
Well this isn't really a tutorial, but
handy before beginning anything. Remember r_speeds increase
lag.
a) Taking Risks and Sacrifices
1. Most players love to play in a world that
looks good, but even better something playable. Don't be afraid to
delete something that looks good, but is the main source of the
problem. Usually i would save the map then copy the brushes to a new
map and save as a prefab for further use.
2. If you have enough time on your hands, it
will be a good idea to make two maps that are similer (but remember
different file names). One to show a lot of detail but high speeds
for reviews and other uses. Another for online games that will
probably be on a server full of people. As i said r_speeds increase
lag, i discovered this from a mistake in my map slammer.bsp which
has all the detail in one place. When playing on bc server, everyone
had 800 ping and was lowered after switching maps.
b) It's not only about deleting stuff
 The HINT brush
texture in common folder
1. There are two things you should add in a map
with high r_speeds. One is basic walls and stuff that cut rooms into
small rooms. Usually hallways are the best instead of two or more
joined together. But try to make it look good while adding these.
Another thing to add is like a wall, but is called a hint brush.
It's that green colored texture that can be applied to a brush which
will make it also invisible, but is like an invisible divider too
like the wall. This texture is in the common folder. Below are
screenies on the best places to put them.
Note hint brushes don't work unless an entire
room is sealed and the only entrance is covered with the hint brush.
No one knows why it works, it just does. To lower r_speeds in big
rooms, it's a better idea to use walls instead dividing it up.
   
b) Spreading it all out
1. Don't put everything in one place, it's best
to make your whole map look good everywhere by placing the
interesting things not all in one pile.
Average Speeds |
Low Detailed |
Medium Detailed |
High Detailed |
1 - 200 |
Usually the maximum |
Good map, great speeds |
Best Quality map |
201 - 300 |
Not Bad |
Acceptable |
Still a great map |
301 - 500 |
Add some walls |
Average for Med. detailed |
Still a great map |
501 - 800 |
- |
Meant for single player |
Average for high detailed |
800 + |
- |
Needs work and walls |
Meant for single
player | |