Vertex Editing Sux

[exnor]

Vertex Editing is a nightmare.

I made a map about 5 months ago using UnrealEd 1+2 and i was messing about with vertices (where u hold ALT down and make a shape).
Once I finished a room I went to playtest it and the vertex editing had created a tonne of HON (like leaking) errors, which was really annoying coz the room took me ages.
I then tried intercecting the parts, but still no joy.

I found the 2D editor creates no errors, and I use this for all my latest maps, but it has its limitations and I would really like to figure out how to use the vertex feature.

Do any of u mappers use the Vertex Editing feature or just the 2D editor?

[Aphex]

You have to be careful when editing vertices to keep ALL points of a polygon on a plane. It is very hard to explain in 2d, but guidelines are:
only move edges (ie move vertices in groups of 2 or 4) and make sure they are aligned EXACTLY to the same grid line (zoom in!).
If you have a poly with 3 vertices, they are all guaranteed to be on a plane, but if you have 4 vertices, one of them could be slightly off the plane and will usu cause BSP holes, because the poly is now 'bent' slightly.
PS 'The Plane' is best described as a flat surface in 3d space.

[garrett]

i just do my vertex editing in th 2d window and have no problems at all, just have snap to grid on and make sure everything is lined up

[Noah]

I don't Vertex Edit... At all.

Though this may not be the best solution, I have decided to wait until Unreal 2 comes out with it's editor use the Vertex Editor "feature" since they have improved it quite a bit.

I do everything manually, or in the 2D shape editor.


Noah

[rmcollins3]

I'm with the other guy. Vertex editing is quite risky sometimes, but I have found it very necessary and usually quicker than using the 2d editor. Just make sure that grid snapping and vertex snapping is on and all your vertices are on the same plane. That should eliminate any HOMs and other nasty stuff. Also, I've noticed that If I make a square brush into a triangle, like to make a ramp, and I close the top vertices all the way into the opposite corner vertices, UED will crash, just in case anyone cared. Just make it a bigger brush and deintersect it.

[garrett]

that is because you can't stack vertices on each other, it causes the editor to crash, but i dunno vertex editing is quit easy for me....what problems do you all have?

[garrett]

BTW...i just use the 2d viewpoints not the 2d editor...it used to be hard for me b/c i would try to do it in the 3-D window :X but i just practice i guess...hmm oh well

[NVerxion]

There are some good ideas there...but I would also suggest using the transform permanently feature once everything is in place (Ued 2.0), just in case.

[_UE_Hunter]

Vertex editing is my bane of existance heh

95 percent of my brushes are manually vertex edited by me. It may take a little more time, but you end up with completely perfect sized brushes
That and I've grown quite fond of my grid - hence my textures like me too. Dont have to align half of them.

[garrett]

i agree hunter, almost all of my brushes are modified with vertex editing, it is just a better way to get better shapes...and it is easy with practice

[Mambo]

I have to agree with hunter, i swear by vertex editing. Basically if you follow these guidelines, you should be fine. You should only move vertices UP, or DOWN, NEVER ACROSS, this creates holes, and HOMS. Also, try and keep the grid no smaller than 4, preferably 8 or 16 tho.

Also, it is easier to make the shapes in the 2d shape editor and then edit vertices, rather than making a primative shape and trying to modify it completely.

[garrett]

it really depends on what type of shape you want....i mean you can almost make any shape by vertex editing acube..unless you need something with more than 4 sides

[X]

I've made whole levels in another game with just vertex editing, it's very good for making caves but you also need a trangulate nonplanar faces command for it to get rid of those non planar faces and cancave faces.


here's some pics from a game thats editor is vertex based unlike most which are brush based
http://gameedit.com/descent3/reviews/r_earthrage.htm
http://gameedit.com/descent3/reviews/r_ss-sirius.htm
http://gameedit.com/descent3/reviews/r_elise.htm
http://gameedit.com/descent3/reviews/r_poti.htm
http://gameedit.com/descent3/reviews/r_vortex1.htm