Getting Started with Mapping (Killing Floor 2): Difference between revisions

From Killing Floor 2 Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
Line 15: Line 15:


==Interface Guide==
==Interface Guide==
<br />
{{Important|The SDK Interface is very laggy on launch - using up a lot of resources on your computer. To prevent the UI lag, simply create an empty save file or open up an existing map</br>
{{Important|The SDK Interface is very laggy on launch - using up a lot of resources on your computer. To prevent the UI lag, simply create an empty save file or open up an existing map</br>
e.g. KF-TempMapName}}
e.g. KF-TempMapName}}
<br />


=== First Launch and Glance ===
=== First Launch and Glance ===
Line 26: Line 28:


[[File:DefaultEditorState.png|none|thumb|1000px|'''Figure 1.2:''' Default State of the Editor]]
[[File:DefaultEditorState.png|none|thumb|1000px|'''Figure 1.2:''' Default State of the Editor]]
 
<br />
{{Note|1= For new users, I highly recommend reading the <b>Startup Tips</b> and not disabling the prompt, they often contain useful tips on how to use different aspects of the SDK.}}
{{Note|1= For new users, I highly recommend reading the <b>Startup Tips</b> and not disabling the prompt, they often contain useful tips on how to use different aspects of the SDK.}}
{{Col-break|width=30%}}
{{Col-break|width=30%}}
Line 40: Line 42:
=== Common Hotkeys ===
=== Common Hotkeys ===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Hotkey
! scope="col" style="width: 10%" |Hotkey
!Function
! scope="col" style="width: 20%" |Function
!Hotkey
! scope="col" style="width: 10%" |Hotkey
!Function
! scope="col" style="width: 20%" |Function
|-
|-
|Left Click
|Left Click
Line 106: Line 108:
|}
|}
There are a lot more hotkeys for the editor, these are the main ones people usually have issue with when first starting out. You can check for others here: https://sites.google.com/site/lessonsdarrenmckinsey/udk-hotkeys
There are a lot more hotkeys for the editor, these are the main ones people usually have issue with when first starting out. You can check for others here: https://sites.google.com/site/lessonsdarrenmckinsey/udk-hotkeys
<br />


==Your First Map==
==Your First Map==


=== Naming ===
=== Naming ===
Your first map can be named anything however a Killing Floor 2 map '''<big>MUST</big>''' be prefixed with '''KF-''<nowiki/>'. If it isn't, it cannot be played or recognized within the game.  
Your first map can be named anything however a Killing Floor 2 map '''<big>MUST</big>''' be prefixed with '<nowiki/>''KF-''<nowiki/>'. If it isn't, it cannot be played or recognized within the game.  


Your map file name should also match your map's name.
Your map file name should also match your map's name.


If your map name has spaces, it is common naming convention to use UpperCamelCase. Avoid using underscores or dashes to represent spaces.You should also avoid publishing a map with numbers or 'versions' at the end, this can be a pain for server owners if they want to host your map on their server.
If your map name has spaces, it is common naming convention to use UpperCamelCase. Avoid using underscores or dashes to represent spaces.You should also avoid publishing a map with numbers or 'versions' at the end, this can be a pain for server owners if they want to host your map on their server.
{| class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable" style="width:50%;"
!Map Name
! scope="col" style="width: 10%" |Map Name
!Good File Name
! scope="col" style="width: 10%" |Good File Name
!Bad File Names
! scope="col" style="width: 10%" |Bad File Names
|-
|-
|Burning Paris  
|Burning Paris  
|KF-BurningParis.kfm
|<span style="color: green;"><b>KF-BurningParis.kfm</b></span>
|KF-Burning_Paris.kfm
|<span style="color: red;"><b>KF-Burning_Paris.kfm
KF-Burning-Paris.kfm
KF-Burning-Paris.kfm


KF-Paris.kfm
KF-Paris.kfm</b></span>
|-
|-
|Zed's Diner
|Zed's Diner
|KF-ZedsDiner.kfm
|<span style="color: green;"><b>KF-ZedsDiner.kfm</b></span>
|KF-Zeds_Diner.kfm
|<span style="color: red;"><b>KF-Zeds_Diner.kfm
KF-Zeds-Diner.kfm
KF-Zeds-Diner.kfm


KF-ZesDinner.kfm
KF-ZesDinner.kfm


KF-ZedsDinerTestingV3.kfm
KF-ZedsDinerTestingV3.kfm</b></span>
|}
|}
<br />


=== File Save Location ===
=== File Save Location ===
Line 142: Line 146:
The main reason is, when you plan to upload your map to the workshop, the Workshop Front-End will look specifically in only this location for files to upload. Additionally if you plan to cook your map, it needs to be in this location for it to successfully cook.  
The main reason is, when you plan to upload your map to the workshop, the Workshop Front-End will look specifically in only this location for files to upload. Additionally if you plan to cook your map, it needs to be in this location for it to successfully cook.  


I would avoid placing your working map file under the steam game directory as well (<code>C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\killingfloor2\KFGame\BrewedPC\Maps</code>). This directory may confuse your editor if you plan to import, move, rename or edit assets within your map's own directory. </br>
I would avoid placing your working map file under the steam game directory as well (<code>C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\killingfloor2\KFGame\BrewedPC\Maps</code>). This directory may confuse your editor if you plan to import, move, rename or edit assets within your map's own directory. </br><br />


=== World Settings ===
=== World Settings ===
Line 151: Line 155:
For the moment, just leave most of the variables default, but you can:
For the moment, just leave most of the variables default, but you can:


* Input your map name and your user name in the appropriate areas under the '''World Info''<nowiki/>' section.
* Input your map name and your user name in the appropriate areas under the '<nowiki/>''World Info''<nowiki/>' section.
* Change the '<nowiki/>''Default Game Type''<nowiki/>' and '<nowiki/>''Game Type for PIE''<nowiki/>' to "'''KFGameInfo_Survival'''" under the '''Game Type''<nowiki/>' section.
* Change the '<nowiki/>''Default Game Type''<nowiki/>' and '<nowiki/>''Game Type for PIE''<nowiki/>' to "'''KFGameInfo_Survival'''" under the '<nowiki/>''Game Type''<nowiki/>' section.
 
<br />
'''Comprehensive Wiki Guide:''' [[Setting Up World Info (Killing Floor 2)]]
'''Further information on World Info can be found here:''' [[Setting Up World Info (Killing Floor 2)]]<br /><br />


=== Important Tip Before Moving Forward ===
=== Important Tip Before Moving Forward ===
Line 170: Line 174:
* Before moving/copying/duplicating assets in your map's directory
* Before moving/copying/duplicating assets in your map's directory
* Before combining meshes and/or applying collisions from the Builder Brush
* Before combining meshes and/or applying collisions from the Builder Brush
 
<br />
After losing significant progress once or twice, saving frequently will become second habit.
After losing significant progress once or twice, saving frequently will become second habit.


Line 186: Line 190:


==Map Optimization==
==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. '''''<u>EVERY</u>''''' step should be evaluated and addressed as they will all add to performance.  
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. '''''<u>EVERY</u>''''' step should be evaluated and addressed as they will all add to performance. <br /><br />


'''Comprehensive Wiki Guide:''' [[Map Optimization Guide (Killing Floor 2)]]
'''Comprehensive Wiki Guide:''' [[Map Optimization Guide (Killing Floor 2)]]

Revision as of 06:36, 8 March 2019

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.
!--T:1--> Note 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.

Interface Guide


!--T:1--> Important Important: The SDK Interface is very laggy on launch - using up a lot of resources on your computer. To prevent the UI lag, simply create an empty save file or open up an existing map
e.g. KF-TempMapName


First Launch and Glance

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


!--T:1--> Note 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

Core SDK and Toolbars

Viewport

Content Browser

Common Hotkeys

Hotkey Function Hotkey Function
Left Click Select actor Spacebar Toggle between Movement/Rotation/Scaling
Right Click Open Context Menu ~ Toggle between World and Local space transforms
Ctrl + Left Click Multiple select
Right Click + Scroll Wheel Change movement speed around viewport N Toggle Pathnodes
Alt+Drag with Widget Duplicate and move with widget P Toggle Paths
T Toggle Lanscape/Terrain
H Hide selected actors O Toggle Volumes
Shift + H Hide all but selected actors B Toggle Builder Brush
Ctrl + H Unhide all actors ] Increase grid snap size
G Toggle Game View mode in viewport [ Descrease grid snap size
F4 Open actor properties Ctrl + number Set a bookmark
Alt+C Toggle Collision Wireframes number Snap to bookmark

There are a lot more hotkeys for the editor, these are the main ones people usually have issue with when first starting out. You can check for others here: https://sites.google.com/site/lessonsdarrenmckinsey/udk-hotkeys

Your First Map

Naming

Your first map can be named anything however a Killing Floor 2 map MUST be prefixed with 'KF-'. If it isn't, it cannot be played or recognized within the game.

Your map file name should also match your map's name.

If your map name has spaces, it is common naming convention to use UpperCamelCase. Avoid using underscores or dashes to represent spaces.You should also avoid publishing a map with numbers or 'versions' at the end, this can be a pain for server owners if they want to host your map on their server.

Map Name Good File Name Bad File Names
Burning Paris KF-BurningParis.kfm KF-Burning_Paris.kfm

KF-Burning-Paris.kfm

KF-Paris.kfm

Zed's Diner KF-ZedsDiner.kfm KF-Zeds_Diner.kfm

KF-Zeds-Diner.kfm

KF-ZesDinner.kfm

KF-ZedsDinerTestingV3.kfm


File Save Location

You can save and load your map from any location. However the best recommended location is:

C:\Users\UserName\Documents\My Games\KillingFloor2\KFGame\Unpublished\BrewedPC

The main reason is, when you plan to upload your map to the workshop, the Workshop Front-End will look specifically in only this location for files to upload. Additionally if you plan to cook your map, it needs to be in this location for it to successfully cook.

I would avoid placing your working map file under the steam game directory as well (C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\killingfloor2\KFGame\BrewedPC\Maps). This directory may confuse your editor if you plan to import, move, rename or edit assets within your map's own directory.

World Settings

World Settings can set important information for your map such as: Map Name, Map Author, Spawning Modifiers, Objectives and Collectibles, What game mode is played in the Editor, what in-game music the game uses and Optimization options.

To access it go to: View > World Properties.

For the moment, just leave most of the variables default, but you can:

  • Input your map name and your user name in the appropriate areas under the 'World Info' section.
  • Change the 'Default Game Type' and 'Game Type for PIE' to "KFGameInfo_Survival" under the 'Game Type' section.


Further information on World Info can be found here: Setting Up World Info (Killing Floor 2)

Important Tip Before Moving Forward

The SDK is stable for the most part, but it is not uncommon to encounter crashes at any point in its usage. In fact its something you need to be prepared for and goes without saying that:

!--T:1--> Important Important: YOU SHOULD SAVE AS FREQUENTLY AS POSSIBLE

While the auto-save function is useful for beginners, most users that become familiar opt to turn it off as it can interrupt workflow, bloat your game directory and also on large maps, take a long time to save.

Here are some recommended times to save:

  • After any minor, moderate to large changes done in any aspect to your map
  • Every 10 minutes
  • If you plan to step away from the computer for a bit (e.g. going to the toilet)
  • Before every Build (Lighting, Pathing, etc.)
  • Planning to use or work with BSP Brushes
  • Before importing new Assets (textures, meshes, sounds, etc.)
  • Before placing down any newly imported Mesh
  • Before moving/copying/duplicating assets in your map's directory
  • Before combining meshes and/or applying collisions from the Builder Brush


After losing significant progress once or twice, saving frequently will become second habit.

Placing Assets and Props

World Lighting

Building (Baking and Cooking)

Using the Brushes (BSP) and Volumes

Setting up Spawns and Pathing

Testing Your Map

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)

Publishing to the Workshop

Miscellaneous