HEK_tutorial_combre.txt

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How to make a Halo CE map from scratch
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Requiered softwares : Halo CE - Halo Editing Kit - 3ds max 2k8 or 9
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Must keep in mind
Backup everything, create shortcut, do lots of information researchs (browse forums), experiment, enjoy
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Halo CE modding concepts

3d modeling tool -> model made of polygones with materials rendered on the surface

Data (raw) / Tags (spread data in HEK format)

HEK 3 tools
- Guerilla : edit any tag
- Sapien : render BSP (map model), object, etc Also able to edit tags (used to gametypes, spawn markers, etc)
- Tool : compile data into tags and tags into .map

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Work flow
 * Create map folders
 * Create a TIF for the ground
 * Create a model in 3ds max
 * Add textures in 3ds max
 * Export to .jms
 * Generate bitmaps and create shader
 * Add a sky
 * Create lighting
 * Add sceneries, players spawn points and equipement
 * Build the map

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Details
 * Create map folders
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Halo Custom Edition\data\levels\thepit\bitmaps
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Halo Custom Edition\data\levels\thepit\models

 * Create a TIF for the ground
mspaint as Administrator
ground.tif 512x512 using brush paint

 * Create a model in 3ds max
30 / 20 / 70 (MasterChieff Size)
Go wild

 * Add textures in 3ds max
Multi subobject
+sky
ground (bitmap)
walls (bitmap) metal panels generic (b30)

 * Export to .jms
JMS Exporter v1-0-3
C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2009\Scripts
MAXScript\Run script

 * Generate .bitmaps
tool bitmaps levels\thepit\bitmaps
Compressed with explicit Alphga in Guerilla
New shader_environement (simple parametrization, load the bitmaps, Primary detail map scaler 28, Primary Detail map -> Add detail ground from b30)

Create the map structure
tool structure levels\thepit thepit

 * Add a sky
Guerilla sky\dusk\dusk mutliplayer

 * Create lighting
tool lightmaps levels\thepit\thepit thepit 0 0.7

 * Add sceneries, players spawn points and equipement
Open the .scenario in Sapien
Hierarchy view/Scenery -> Edit types -> Add c_metaltall
Right click on the map and setup the sceneries on the Properties palette
Hierarchy view/Player starting points
Right click on the map and setup the player starting points on the Properties palette

 * Build the map
tool build-cache-file levels\thepit\thepit

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Links
http://hce.halomaps.org/hek/  (modding bible)
http://ghost.halomaps.org/tutorials/ (tutorials list)
http://hce.halomaps.org/index.cfm?fid=410 (Halo CE)
http://hce.halomaps.org/index.cfm?fid=411 (HEK)

Now go make your maps, only limit is your imagination!!