Getting Started with Mapping (Killing Floor 2)

Introduction

This page includes a comprehensive guide on getting started with the Killing Floor 2 SDK for creating Maps and uploading them to the Steam Workshop. This page will only cover the essentials, further elaboration will need to be done at your own discretion; it is recommended that any new Level Designer should begin by looking at Official Maps and seeing how they approach particular scenarios.

Installation and First Launch

Installation

To install the SDK:

1. Open up Steam, hover over 'Library' and select the 'Tools' option.
2. From here locate 'Killing Floor 2 - SDK' and install it as you would any game on Steam
3. Once the download is complete, launch it as you would any other game.

Note:

If an opt-in Beta/preview is happening at the time, both the game and the SDK need to be on the same branch. Otherwise the SDK will crash on launch. i.e. If you are in the opt-in Beta for an update, the SDK also needs to be on the opt-in Beta.

First Launch

On first launch you may be prompted with a couple of dialogs. They are things that don't affect the editor or its performance so you can ignore and click past them. See Figure 1.1.

Past all the error dialogs your Editor should look something like Figure 1.2 below.

Figure 1.2: Default State of the Editor

Note:

For new users, I highly recommend reading the Startup Tips and not disabling the prompt, they often contain useful tips on how to use different aspects of the SDK.

Figure 1.1: Error Prompts that can be ignored

Map Optimization

Map Optimization is the arguably one of the most important steps when completing a map. Aside from having good playable spaces, the map needs to perform well on all machines; maintaining stable Frames per Second (FPS). The following guide is a comprehensive list of areas that should be addressed before publishing a map. EVERY step should be evaluated and addressed as they will all add to performance.

Comprehensive Wiki Guide: Map Optimization Guide (Killing Floor 2)