I downloaded Source SDK, but I have absolutely no idea how to use it. Is there any way to modify existing maps? Does anyone know a good, really basic tutorial?

well... there are many... i suggest searching on you tube... u can find whole series of them that start out basic and progress to advanved...

u can change/copy existing maps but u need a map decompiler

click HERE to download a cracked one that will ignore copy protection... (your welcome! it took me forever to find that version)

and remeber, a good mapper protects his work... a great mapper keeps it public for others to work with and learn from... (although it is bad manners to change a map without permission... <wink>)

-dpk-

Thanks, but I seem to be completely incompetent in this regard. I found a really good tutorial and did everything the guy said exactly as he did it, and my stuff didn't turn out at all like his. Programming definitely is not my thing. And I wasn't going to change a map, just use the basic shape so I wouldn't have to build it from the ground up. I guess that doesn't matter, though, since I'm rather inept at this art.

it isnt easy... takes a lot of work... my first map took several months to complete, and to be honest, it isnt all that much fun... its not bad, but not good enough for the time it took... lol... but it gets easier with time... if u care to spend it... is good to decompile a few maps and look at how the map maker achieved the things the map does... really helps to understand basic map making...

i also recommend joining a mapping community... you will find many peeps happy to help a noob mapper get his feet wet

tf2map.net is a good one, fpsbannana.com is another

feel free to do whatever you want to any of my projects... i will be happy to host any beta level projects you might come up with for playtesting purposes... beta meaning u have single player tested the map extensively to find the obvious bugs (broken spawns, etc.)

gl