Making a new map (screencaps) - advise welcome [FINISHED]

I'm making a small-ish hell map. I'm trying hard to get a good "hell" look. So far I've made several rocky areas. After this I'll have a marble area. There's still a long way to go, but here's some screencaps of what I've done so far:

http://oi54.tinypic.com/x5ob2c.jpg

http://oi53.tinypic.com/w0rv54.jpg

http://oi53.tinypic.com/sv5ern.jpg

http://oi52.tinypic.com/2niyaso.jpg

http://oi53.tinypic.com/2rd9tut.jpg

If you're using Doom Builder, use the autoalign feature as it helps make your areas look nicer.

I like the 2nd and 3rd shot most. The red rocks and the lava floor hide the blocky doom layout very well. It indeed looks rocky. Auto-align of the textures would even increase this effect.

Also take care of light sources. Remember that the way you are placing lights may give you hints how to set the lighting of sectors - some darker, some brighter. In turn, this can help you to add details you haven't thought about before. And I don't mean alien Vendetta sort of detail. :) Maybe just some small alcoves with firesticks left and right along the way. This kind of detail can make maps look great without being cluttered.

It could be only me, but shot 4 is the one I like the least. Too big height differences don't work well, I think. Nothing against a deep crack, but this is a super-deep hole. The pile of snakes doesn't look good, either. I think, just being not soo deep and - again - texture alignment would make it look better.

I guess it would be possible to make small cracks you can walk over because they are so small. With an animated lava texture, I could look real "hot". ;)

Don't forget some twitching bodies and keep up the good work!

I think it looks good, quite intimidating

@Tankjob Thanks for the input!

Shot 4 isn't actually a hole. You start from the floor and and climb up the snake stairs and onto the red brick tower. I agree that the snake texture doesn't look too good.

I don't yet have a crack with lava, but there is so far a lava pool:

http://oi55.tinypic.com/dceg0m.jpg

Firessticks and twitching bodies will soon be aplenty.

More caps, mostly of the marble area that I've been making:

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee459/Valhallaist/Screenshot_Doom_20110703_202435.png

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee459/Valhallaist/Screenshot_Doom_20110703_202443.png

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee459/Valhallaist/Screenshot_Doom_20110703_202555.png

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee459/Valhallaist/Screenshot_Doom_20110703_202617.png

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee459/Valhallaist/Screenshot_Doom_20110703_202649.png

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee459/Valhallaist/Screenshot_Doom_20110703_202737.png

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee459/Valhallaist/Screenshot_Doom_20110703_202805.png

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee459/Valhallaist/Screenshot_Doom_20110703_202645.png

How's this coming along? I'm finding those screens quite inspiring!

phobosdeimos1 said:

How's this coming along? I'm finding those screens quite inspiring!

Thanks! It's coming along OK, I hope. Just struggling to add detail and keep all the textures aligned. Those were the main beef with my previous map.

you're doing good man. i assume you know about upper/lower unpegged and their uses?

The top screenshot reminds me of a particular part of one of the Doom 64 maps except for the cage/pillars.

The design is nice, dark and creepy too! More lava will leds this more hellish.

Nice! Looks very classic to me!

you're doing good man. i assume you know about upper/lower unpegged and their uses?

I know a few uses of it. Youtube tutorials have been very helpful.

I think the details in most of those shots look too focused rather than uniform; the edges of the rooms in most of those shots look bare compared to the fairly detailed stuff in the middle of them.

You do have some brilliant ideas in these screenshots, I must say ;)
I especialy like the first screenshot of your marble area with the walls surronding the doors.
This looks quite nice although you could find a way to align your textures a bit better(mostly visible in the 3rd screenshot).
Otherwise, this looks great and I'm realy looking forward to the final piece ^^

Deep water and coloured lighting effect. I'm pretty rusty at this, but I think it worked somewhat:

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee459/Valhallaist/Screenshot_Doom_20110710_185925.png

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee459/Valhallaist/Screenshot_Doom_20110716_032232.png

Woah! That latest shot is killer :D

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee459/Valhallaist/Screenshot_Doom_20110730_024808.png

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee459/Valhallaist/Screenshot_Doom_20110730_024735.png

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee459/Valhallaist/Screenshot_Doom_20110730_025835.png

Holy jebus.

Been on hiatus for ages. Some recent developments:

It looks very large for a "small-ish" map. It also looks rather nice, IMO :)

The shots all look nice. But a large number of them show symetrical rooms/areas.

It's now uploaded on idgames. Please play and review: http://www.doomworld.com/idgames/?id=16778

I found the very first shot with circular bars very interesting.

I don't know, why. I like that.

Just gave my review at the /idgames link.
Pretty good for a second map, just pay attention to the nitpicks I stated :)

- Moti

Ven said:

Just gave my review at the /idgames link.
Pretty good for a second map, just pay attention to the nitpicks I stated :)

- Moti

Thanks for the review :)

I offered a response.