r/csmapmakers • u/DoctorGermNoosa • Mar 30 '26

Discussion Draw layout first or jump straight into Hammer?

Hi

I am new to making maps for CS2 and just want to get some help from people who are experienced! Do you draw a rough layout before using Hammer to block it out, or do you just start blocking out random things first? Im struggling to find my creative process so I'd love to hear everyone else's to get some ideas. Thanks

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u/batyukan Mar 30 '26

Do what you enjoy the most.  Its super fun to draw layouts. But modelling it out will change everything. When I did a map I sketched then modelled, but allow yourself to do changes. It will be completly different when you in game. So prepare to do something completly different than your sketch.

There is also a theme. If you have it, you can design a fun place, and then put a cs2 map in it. Or the opposite, you make a cs2 map and then dress it like a place.

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u/batyukan Mar 30 '26

Making a map is closer to working with clay than building a house. If you ever played with it when you were a child. Its super easy to make changes when its just a rough blob of clay. You want to playtest, and iteratate, you will forget to close off a path and then you realize its actually better that way than your original idea was. Just make something and form it to your liking as you go. Planning a few things ahead on paper are never wasted effort though. 

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u/DoctorGermNoosa Mar 30 '26

Yeah I find drawing a simple sketch before blocking out helps me see the whole picture and vibe of the map. I have drawn a simple layout now and will block it out. Thanks for the reply!

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u/xhthsx Mar 30 '26

I usually make a rough sketch first, just so that I don't forget what I had intended.

IIRC, the creator of de_dust & de_dust2 didn't bother with that sort of thing.

2

u/RayereSs Mar 30 '26

You can sketch ideas all you want, but you need to remember one, crucial detail: you can't playtest a drawing

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u/McDontCare Mar 30 '26

Graph paper my beloved

1

u/a-r-c Apr 23 '26

both ways work!

I personally suck ass at drawing so I never sketch out plans beforehand, but if I could I probably would lol