How to Make Water and Basic Displacements in Source

by Pinky @LambdaGeneration.com

Back when I was trying to learn Source mapping, I ran into several issues, most of which involved lighting or water. While I have not mastered Source lighting, I can offer some help to those having issues with water. Read more...

Source Engine Dynamic Water Demo

by Jimmy42222

I know somebody has already done this but they were being all bitchy about not telling how they did it. I, however, will happily tell you how it works. The whole this is an info_particle system, stored in the little orange box (hah, pun). The info_particle_system is set to trace all around it with a trace collision property.

Here's a download link if you want to play around with it. If you do it in GMod you don't need the particle_manifest.txt file.

http://www.filefront.com/15188993/dynamic.zip

Optimization in Source: A Practical Demonstration

by MangyCarface @Nodraw.net

Optimization is one of the least understood parts of mapping in source; there is a lot of hearsay on the matter and generally the topic can appear overwhelming to new mappers. Today we’re going to discuss how optimization in source works, not from a theoretical approach, but from an example-by-example method that will hopefully bring us around to understanding the underlying theory. When implemented correctly, good optimization can be more beautiful than the aesthetics of a map itself. Read more ...