The Beginner's Guide to Red Faction Mapping - Revision history

Goober: fix typos

2026-01-16T12:21:13Z

fix typos

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:21, 16 January 2026
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	[[File:REDBG_CreateBrush2.jpg\|none\|frame\|After building and deselecting the brush, you'll see textured surfaces and the Cookie Cutter once again.]]		[[File:REDBG_CreateBrush2.jpg\|none\|frame\|After building and deselecting the brush, you'll see textured surfaces and the Cookie Cutter once again.]]

	'''IMPORTANT NOTE:''' While you can use the brush properties panel on the left to customize your Cookie Cutter, once you create a brush, those options no longer apply to it. If you edit the values in Brush Properties on the left side now, you'll notice the changes are reflected in the Cookie Cutter, but the room you've already created is unchanged. Of course, there are ~~method~~ that you'll learn later for editing brushes after they've already been created, but for now just understand that changing the settings for the Cookie Cutter after you've already created a brush will have no impact on the brush that was already created.		'''IMPORTANT NOTE:''' While you can use the brush properties panel on the left to customize your Cookie Cutter, once you create a brush, those options no longer apply to it. If you edit the values in Brush Properties on the left side now, you'll notice the changes are reflected in the Cookie Cutter, but the room you've already created is unchanged. Of course, there are methods that you'll learn later for editing brushes after they've already been created, but for now just understand that changing the settings for the Cookie Cutter after you've already created a brush will have no impact on the brush that was already created.

	===Your first hallway===		===Your first hallway===
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	*'''Shift + S''': If you have one or more faces currently selected, the Shift + S hotkey selects all faces on each brush for which you have at least one face selected.		*'''Shift + S''': If you have one or more faces currently selected, the Shift + S hotkey selects all faces on each brush for which you have at least one face selected.
	*'''Shift + D''': If you have one or more faces currently selected, the Shift + D hotkey selects all faces on each brush for which you have at least one face selected, that have the same texture as one of the faces you have selected.		*'''Shift + D''': If you have one or more faces currently selected, the Shift + D hotkey selects all faces on each brush for which you have at least one face selected, that have the same texture as one of the faces you have selected.
	*'''I''': If you have one or more faces currently selected, the I hotkey inverts which faces you have selected within each brush for which you have at least one ~~brush~~ selected. For example, if you have the top and right faces of a box brush selected and you hit I, those faces become unselected but the other 4 faces on that brush become selected.		*'''I''': If you have one or more faces currently selected, the I hotkey inverts which faces you have selected within each brush for which you have at least one face selected. For example, if you have the top and right faces of a box brush selected and you hit I, those faces become unselected but the other 4 faces on that brush become selected.

	Go ahead and follow the same method you just did to apply a texture from the "Wall - Metal" category to the selected wall faces in your map. Note that the scroll wheel won't work when in the browse dialog, but you can use the scroll bar on the right of the window to scroll down through the textures in the category. Once you've apply a texture to your walls (and hit "Apply Map" to apply box UV mapping), you should have something similar to the below screenshot.		Go ahead and follow the same method you just did to apply a texture from the "Wall - Metal" category to the selected wall faces in your map. Note that the scroll wheel won't work when in the browse dialog, but you can use the scroll bar on the right of the window to scroll down through the textures in the category. Once you've apply a texture to your walls (and hit "Apply Map" to apply box UV mapping), you should have something similar to the below screenshot.

Goober at 13:33, 17 May 2025

2025-05-17T13:33:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:33, 17 May 2025
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	==The Basics==		==The Basics==
	===Before we begin===		===Before we begin===
	[[File:~~REDBG_DashLauncher~~.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|Click the Level Editor button in the [[~~Dash~~ Faction]] launcher to start [[RED]].]]		[[File:REDBG_AlpineLauncher.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|Click the Level Editor button in the [[Alpine Faction]] launcher to start [[RED]].]]
	Red Faction is the game, ~~GeoMod~~ is the engine on which the game runs, and RED is the level editing tool used to create maps for the game.		Red Faction is the game, Geo-Mod is the engine on which the game runs, and RED is the level editing tool used to create maps for the game.

	Red Faction was originally released for the PlayStation 2, then later for the PC - both in 2001. As you can probably imagine, there are a number of issues that can come up when trying to run software written over 20 years ago on a modern computer, not to mention the fact that the game hasn't received an official update since a few months after the initial release. Thankfully, the community stepped in to remedy that situation - ~~Dash~~ Faction is a community-made patch, which is basically essential for anyone planning to play or develop for the game these days. It adds tons of new modern features, fixes all of the most relevant problems the game has, and lets you play the game without issue on modern computers.		Red Faction was originally released for the PlayStation 2, then later for the PC - both in 2001. As you can probably imagine, there are a number of issues that can come up when trying to run software written over 20 years ago on a modern computer, not to mention the fact that the game hasn't received an official update since a few months after the initial release. Thankfully, the community stepped in to remedy that situation - Alpine Faction is a community-made patch, which is basically essential for anyone planning to play or develop for the game these days. It adds tons of new modern features to the game and the level editor, fixes all of the most relevant problems the game has, and lets you play the game without issue on modern computers.

	If you don't already have ~~Dash~~ Faction installed, you should go do that before proceeding with this tutorial - it's very simple to install, only ~~takes~~ a ~~few minutes,~~ and ~~there's a full set of instructions over in~~ the [~~[Dash~~ Faction ~~Installation Guide]~~].		If you don't already have Alpine Faction installed, you should go do that before proceeding with this tutorial - it's very simple to install and only take a minute. You can find more information and the download at the [https://alpinefaction.com Alpine Faction website].

	===Launching RED===		===Launching RED===
	Open the ~~Dash~~ Faction launcher, then click the "Level Editor" button.		Open the Alpine Faction launcher, then click the "Level Editor" button.

	The RED window will appear, and it should look virtually identical to the screenshot below - a confusing mess of buttons, text, and 4 black panels. Not to worry, it'll start to make sense soon!		The RED window will appear, and it should look virtually identical to the screenshot below - a confusing mess of buttons, text, and 4 black panels. Not to worry, it'll start to make sense soon!

Goober at 03:09, 16 August 2022

2022-08-16T03:09:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:09, 16 August 2022
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	{{RF1Tutorial\|Goober}}		{{RF1Tutorial\|Goober}}
	~~{{Under construction}}~~
	==Overview==		==Overview==
	===Goal===		===Goal===

Goober: /* Finishing up and playing your map */

2022-08-16T02:49:10Z

Finishing up and playing your map

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	Once your rocket launcher and enemies are placed, let's give our new map a try! Click the Lighting button on the top bar to ensure our lights are properly calculated, then click Save to save your level, then Pack to package it. Once the level is packaged, click Play to try it out!		Once your rocket launcher and enemies are placed, let's give our new map a try! Click the Lighting button on the top bar to ensure our lights are properly calculated, then click Save to save your level, then Pack to package it. Once the level is packaged, click Play to try it out!

	~~<screenshot>~~		[[File:REDBG_Test2.jpg\|none\|thumb\|Fighting the guards in the finished map.]]

	I hope this tutorial has helped to show you how powerful yet simple RED is to learn. Be sure to check out the [[RF1 Editing Main Page]] for additional reference materials, tutorials, and the link to join the [https://discord.gg/factionfiles Faction Files Community Discord] - which is the largest Red Faction community anywhere, and the best place to ask for help with RED or to show off your creations! It's a welcoming and approachable community, and we'd be more than happy to help you as much as possible in learning the editor.		I hope this tutorial has helped to show you how powerful yet simple RED is to learn. Be sure to check out the [[RF1 Editing Main Page]] for additional reference materials, tutorials, and the link to join the [https://discord.gg/factionfiles Faction Files Community Discord] - which is the largest Red Faction community anywhere, and the best place to ask for help with RED or to show off your creations! It's a welcoming and approachable community, and we'd be more than happy to help you as much as possible in learning the editor.

Goober: /* Adding enemies and weapon pickups */

2022-08-16T02:46:37Z

Adding enemies and weapon pickups

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:46, 16 August 2022
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	===Adding enemies and weapon pickups===		===Adding enemies and weapon pickups===
	Now that we've got a nav mesh for AI to move around in, let's add some AI! The level of control RED gives level designers over AI and their behaviour is pretty extensive for such an old engine to be honest, but equally it's incredibly simple to set up some basic enemies to shoot. First, position your camera inside your second room, then click the + icon next to Entity on the left panel while in Object mode to expand the entity list, then click the + icon next to Ultor to expand the list of Ultor entities. Double-click "guard2" to add a guard to your room. If you back up your camera, you should see a guard in your room. Next, move your camera to the other side of the second room and double-click "guard1" to add a second guard. ~~Your room should now look something like the sreenshot below - two guards ready to shoot us on sight!~~		Now that we've got a nav mesh for AI to move around in, let's add some AI! The level of control RED gives level designers over AI and their behaviour is pretty extensive for such an old engine to be honest, but equally it's incredibly simple to set up some basic enemies to shoot. First, position your camera inside your second room, then click the + icon next to Entity on the left panel while in Object mode to expand the entity list, then click the + icon next to Ultor to expand the list of Ultor entities. Double-click "guard2" to add a guard to your room. If you back up your camera, you should see a guard in your room. Next, move your camera to the other side of the second room and double-click "guard1" to add a second guard.

	<screenshot>		[[File:REDBG_SelectGuard.jpg\|none\|frame\|Place two entities in the second room - guard1 and guard2.]]

			Your room should now look something like the screenshot below - two guards ready to shoot us on sight!

	*'''NOTE''': Entity is an object type that includes enemies, allies, and vehicles. Entities are very useful for in single player maps but have no function in multiplayer maps.		*'''NOTE''': Entity is an object type that includes enemies, allies, and vehicles. Entities are very useful for in single player maps but have no function in multiplayer maps.

			[[File:REDBG_Guards1.jpg\|none\|frame\|Both guards in position, ready to fight!]]

	Before we test our map, let's add some extra firepower for our player who is about to go to battle against these guards - we're outnumbered, after all. To add a weapon pickup, first position your camera in the first room. Next, scroll down the object list until you see Item, and click the + sign next to it to expand the item list. Scroll down the item list until you see "rocket launcher", and double-click it. If you back your camera up now, you should see a rocket launcher pickup!		Before we test our map, let's add some extra firepower for our player who is about to go to battle against these guards - we're outnumbered, after all. To add a weapon pickup, first position your camera in the first room. Next, scroll down the object list until you see Item, and click the + sign next to it to expand the item list. Scroll down the item list until you see "rocket launcher", and double-click it. If you back your camera up now, you should see a rocket launcher pickup!

	~~<screenshot>~~		[[File:REDBG_Rocket1.jpg\|none\|frame\|The rocket launcher pickup.]]

	Just in case your pickup is turned in a weird direction because of how your camera was positioned, let's take this opportunity to learn two new hotkeys that will serve you well in the future as you continue exploring and learning RED.		Just in case your pickup is turned in a weird direction (like in the screenshot above) because of how your camera was positioned, let's take this opportunity to learn two new hotkeys that will serve you well in the future as you continue exploring and learning RED.

	*'''Ctrl + G''': Aligns selected objects and/or brushes to the current world grid. It's not generally important for objects to be grid aligned, but brushes should virtually always be grid aligned.		*'''Ctrl + G''': Aligns selected objects and/or brushes to the current world grid. It's not generally important for objects to be grid aligned, but brushes should virtually always be grid aligned.
	*'''O''': Reorients selection to the default rotation direction. If your camera is askew when you place an object and you don't want it to look that way in-game, it's often very useful to just hit the O key to reorient the item and make it look more presentable. You can then use the rotate (R + arrow keys) function to give it the rotation you desire.		*'''O''': Reorients selection to the default rotation direction. If your camera is askew when you place an object and you don't want it to look that way in-game, it's often very useful to just hit the O key to reorient the item and make it look more presentable. You can then use the rotate (R + arrow keys) function to give it the rotation you desire.

	~~<screenshot>~~		[[File:REDBG_Rocket2.jpg\|none\|frame\|The properly oriented rocket launcher pickup positioned on the floor.]]

	===Finishing up and playing your map===		===Finishing up and playing your map===

Goober: /* AI navigation */

2022-08-16T02:37:09Z

AI navigation

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	Firstly, hit the Home key to reset your camera to the player start. Like any other object, nav points are placed by double-clicking on the nav point label in the left panel while in object mode. Go ahead and place a nav point now. When you back up the camera a little, you should see a nav point that looks like the one in the screenshot below.		Firstly, hit the Home key to reset your camera to the player start. Like any other object, nav points are placed by double-clicking on the nav point label in the left panel while in object mode. Go ahead and place a nav point now. When you back up the camera a little, you should see a nav point that looks like the one in the screenshot below.

	~~<screenshot>~~		[[File:REDBG_NavPoint1.jpg\|none\|frame\|Newly created Nav Point object.]]

	*'''IMPORTANT''': Before we go any further, click the View menu in the bar at the top of the screen (or hit Alt + V to open it), then click the option at the bottom of the list, labeled '''Show Path Node Connections'''. When you do, you'll notice that the cylinder representing the region of your nav point changes from grey to green. This setting must be enabled for you to view connections between path nodes. The option exists because when you have more complex nav meshes in larger maps, the lines representing all nav points and links can get pretty confusing, so unless you're actively working on your nav mesh for your map, you really don't want to be seeing them.		*'''IMPORTANT''': Before we go any further, click the View menu in the bar at the top of the screen (or hit Alt + V to open it), then click the option at the bottom of the list, labeled '''Show Path Node Connections'''. When you do, you'll notice that the cylinder representing the region of your nav point changes from grey to green. This setting must be enabled for you to view connections between path nodes. The option exists because when you have more complex nav meshes in larger maps, the lines representing all nav points and links can get pretty confusing, so unless you're actively working on your nav mesh for your map, you really don't want to be seeing them.

			[[File:REDBG_ShowPathNodes.jpg\|none\|frame\|Be sure to select the "Show Path Node Connections" option to properly display your nav mesh.]]

	Next, let's open up the properties of our nav point. Ensure the nav point is selected (click on the sprite in the center of it), then open its properties. Again, don't get overwhelmed with all the options in here - we only care about the radius right now. Go ahead and set that value to 5.00 and hit OK. When you do, you'll see that the cylinder representing the range of your nav point has expanded and now fills the entire room as shown below.		Next, let's open up the properties of our nav point. Ensure the nav point is selected (click on the sprite in the center of it), then open its properties. Again, don't get overwhelmed with all the options in here - we only care about the radius right now. Go ahead and set that value to 5.00 and hit OK. When you do, you'll see that the cylinder representing the range of your nav point has expanded and now fills the entire room as shown below.

	<~~screenshot~~>		<gallery heights=275px widths=400px mode="traditional">
			File:REDBG_NavPoint2.jpg\|Nav Point properties dialog.
			File:REDBG_NavPoint3.jpg\|The green cylinder representing the range of the nav point expands as you change the radius value in its properties.
			</gallery>

	If we had a guard in here, he'd be able to move around within the room to find us, but he wouldn't be able to chase you into the hallway or the other room if you went there. Let's fix that. First hit the Home button to reset your camera to the Player Start, then move forward until your camera is positioned in the corner formed by the two joining hallways, then double-click nav point again to place a second point. Back the camera up and you'll see a new green cylinder representing the range of this new nav point as shown below.		If we had a guard in here, he'd be able to move around within the room to find us, but he wouldn't be able to chase you into the hallway or the other room if you went there. Let's fix that. First hit the Home button to reset your camera to the Player Start, then move forward until your camera is positioned in the corner formed by the two joining hallways, then double-click nav point again to place a second point. Back the camera up and you'll see a new green cylinder representing the range of this new nav point as shown below.
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	*'''NOTE''': If the nav point isn't quite in the corner that joins the two hallways, use the move (M + arrow keys) function in the top viewport to adjust its position until it's roughly in the same place as shown in the screenshot below. You may need to reduce the grid size ([) to be able to move it into the right place.		*'''NOTE''': If the nav point isn't quite in the corner that joins the two hallways, use the move (M + arrow keys) function in the top viewport to adjust its position until it's roughly in the same place as shown in the screenshot below. You may need to reduce the grid size ([) to be able to move it into the right place.

	~~<screenshot>~~		[[File:REDBG_NavPoint4.jpg\|none\|frame\|Put a second nav point in the corner that joins both hallways.]]

	Well done, we now have a second nav point! There's only one problem - while a guard could walk around within either of our nav points, he won't know that he can walk between them, so let's fix that by creating a link. To do so, select one of your nav points, hold Ctrl, and select the other one. Then hit the J key to create a link.		Well done, we now have a second nav point! There's only one problem - while a guard could walk around within either of our nav points, he won't know that he can walk between them, so let's fix that by creating a link. To do so, select one of your nav points, hold Ctrl, and select the other one. Then hit the J key to create a link.
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	*'''J''': The J key (in object mode) is used to create a link between exactly two nav points. The width of the link will reflect the lesser diameter of the two nav points in the link. While we won't be using any type other than basic bidirectional links in this tutorial, you should be aware that if you continue hitting the J key after creating a link, you'll be changing the type of the link. If you see a green arrow inside the link, continue hitting J until the link disappears, then hit it once more to once again form a basic bidirectional link.		*'''J''': The J key (in object mode) is used to create a link between exactly two nav points. The width of the link will reflect the lesser diameter of the two nav points in the link. While we won't be using any type other than basic bidirectional links in this tutorial, you should be aware that if you continue hitting the J key after creating a link, you'll be changing the type of the link. If you see a green arrow inside the link, continue hitting J until the link disappears, then hit it once more to once again form a basic bidirectional link.

	~~<screenshot>~~		[[File:REDBG_NavPoint5.jpg\|none\|frame\|The two nav points are now connected with a bidirectional link, allowing AI to walk freely between them.]]

	Almost done with our nav mesh! Lastly, put a nav point in your second room (either by duplicating the first one and moving it into the other room, or creating a new one by positioning the camera in the second room and double-clicking nav point from the objects panel). Ensure that the radius you set for this nav point allows it to fit within the second room without overlapping the walls of the room. Once you're happy with your nav point, select it, hold Ctrl, select the nav point in the hallway, then hit J to form a link between them. You should now have a nav mesh consisting of 3 nav points joined by links, as shown in the screenshot below.		Almost done with our nav mesh! Lastly, put a nav point in your second room (either by duplicating the first one and moving it into the other room, or creating a new one by positioning the camera in the second room and double-clicking nav point from the objects panel). Ensure that the radius you set for this nav point allows it to fit within the second room without overlapping the walls of the room. Once you're happy with your nav point, select it, hold Ctrl, select the nav point in the hallway, then hit J to form a link between them. You should now have a nav mesh consisting of 3 nav points joined by links, as shown in the screenshot below.

	~~<screenshot>~~		[[File:REDBG_NavPoint6.jpg\|none\|frame\|All nav points are connected together, allowing AI to walk all throughout your map.]]

	===Adding enemies and weapon pickups===		===Adding enemies and weapon pickups===

Goober: /* Saving, packaging, and testing your map */

2022-08-16T02:25:46Z

Saving, packaging, and testing your map

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	Once your map is saved and packed, let's give it a try! Hit the "Play" button on the top bar of the RED window to load your map.		Once your map is saved and packed, let's give it a try! Hit the "Play" button on the top bar of the RED window to load your map.

	[[File:REDBG_TopBarRed.jpg\|none\|frame\|The top bar in RED, showing the Save, Pack, and Play buttons]]		[[File:REDBG_TopBarRed.jpg\|none\|frame\|The top bar in [[RED]], showing the Save, Pack, and Play buttons]]

	Well done! You can now move around in a world you created yourself - that must feel great! Granted, maps without any textures, lights, or anything to do (or shoot) would get boring pretty quickly - so let's fix that! When you're done running around your map, quit out of the game, come back to RED, and let's learn how to texture our geometry!		Well done! You can now move around in a world you created yourself - that must feel great! Granted, maps without any textures, lights, or anything to do (or shoot) would get boring pretty quickly - so let's fix that! When you're done running around your map, quit out of the game, come back to RED, and let's learn how to texture our geometry!

Goober: /* Lighting your map */

2022-08-16T02:25:36Z

Lighting your map

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	[[File:REDBG_Light3.jpg\|none\|frame\|The yellow wireframe sphere representing the light range updates when you set a new range value.]]		[[File:REDBG_Light3.jpg\|none\|frame\|The yellow wireframe sphere representing the light range updates when you set a new range value.]]

	To see what your light looks like, click the "Lighting" button on the top bar of the RED window (in between Save/Pack and Play). Your room should look similar to the screenshot below - yay!		To see what your light looks like, click the "Lighting" button on the top bar of the RED window (in between Save/Pack and Play).

			[[File:REDBG_TopBarRed2.jpg\|none\|frame\|The top bar in [[RED]] showing the Lighting button.]]

			Your room should look similar to the screenshot below - yay!

	[[File:REDBG_Light4.jpg\|none\|frame\|After hitting the Lighting button, you will see your light applied to your geometry.]]		[[File:REDBG_Light4.jpg\|none\|frame\|After hitting the Lighting button, you will see your light applied to your geometry.]]

Goober: /* Lighting your map */

2022-08-16T02:23:19Z

Lighting your map

Goober: /* Lighting your map */

2022-08-16T02:22:36Z

Lighting your map

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:22, 16 August 2022
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	Alright, now we've got a basic map layout with textures applied, let's add some lighting! While lighting can get more complex as you learn more about the engine and the editor, the basics are very, very simple. To start, let's shift over to Object mode by using the Mode dropdown in the top left corner, or the hotkey Shift + O.		Alright, now we've got a basic map layout with textures applied, let's add some lighting! While lighting can get more complex as you learn more about the engine and the editor, the basics are very, very simple. To start, let's shift over to Object mode by using the Mode dropdown in the top left corner, or the hotkey Shift + O.

			[[File:REDBG_ObjectList.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|Object mode left side panel, showing all available objects.]]

	In RED, there are only two types of "things" you can manipulate: brushes and objects. Brushes are geometry as you already know, objects are basically everything else - pickups, enemies, allies, vehicles, triggers, regions, lighting, etc. Once you switch to object mode, you'll see all of the objects that are available to you listed in the panel on the left side of your screen. Light is the one we're looking for right now, but later in this guide, we'll come back here and add some others.		In RED, there are only two types of "things" you can manipulate: brushes and objects. Brushes are geometry as you already know, objects are basically everything else - pickups, enemies, allies, vehicles, triggers, regions, lighting, etc. Once you switch to object mode, you'll see all of the objects that are available to you listed in the panel on the left side of your screen. Light is the one we're looking for right now, but later in this guide, we'll come back here and add some others.
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	To add an object to your world, you simply double-click the object type in the panel on the left. When you do, the object will be added to your world '''at your camera location'''. In our case, we obviously want our light to be inside our map, so either position the camera inside the room using the camera movement keys, or hit the Home key to reset your camera to the Player Start, then double-click on the Light object in the panel on the left. Back up the camera slightly and you'll see your new light object represented by a sprite of a lightbulb with a yellow sphere around it as shown in the below screenshot. This sphere represents the range of the light.		To add an object to your world, you simply double-click the object type in the panel on the left. When you do, the object will be added to your world '''at your camera location'''. In our case, we obviously want our light to be inside our map, so either position the camera inside the room using the camera movement keys, or hit the Home key to reset your camera to the Player Start, then double-click on the Light object in the panel on the left. Back up the camera slightly and you'll see your new light object represented by a sprite of a lightbulb with a yellow sphere around it as shown in the below screenshot. This sphere represents the range of the light.

	~~<screenshot>~~		[[File:REDBG_Light1.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|Double-click Light in the object list to place a new light object at the current camera position.]]

	Let's customize our light a little - to edit the properties of the light, right click in the viewport and select Properties, or use the Ctrl + P hotkey.		Let's customize our light a little - to edit the properties of the light, right click in the viewport and select Properties, or use the Ctrl + P hotkey.
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	*'''Ctrl + P''': Open the properties of the selection. In most cases, you can edit the properties of multiple objects at once, but they must be the same type of object. (ie. you can edit the properties of multiple lights at the same time, but you cannot edit the properties of a light and weapon pickup at the same time)		*'''Ctrl + P''': Open the properties of the selection. In most cases, you can edit the properties of multiple objects at once, but they must be the same type of object. (ie. you can edit the properties of multiple lights at the same time, but you cannot edit the properties of a light and weapon pickup at the same time)

	~~When the light properties dialog comes up you will see a lot of different options - not to worry though, we're only concentrating on one for the purposes of this guide~~: ~~the range~~. Go and set the range to 6.00 as shown below and hit OK to accept the changes. When you do, you should see the yellow sphere around your light grow to reflect the new range of the light. To see what your light looks like, click the "Lighting" button on the top bar of the RED window (in between Save/Pack and Play). ~~Your room should look similar to the screenshot below - yay!~~		[[File:REDBG_Light2.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|Light object properties.]]

			When the light properties dialog comes up you will see a lot of different options - not to worry though, we're only concentrating on one for the purposes of this guide: the range. Go and set the range to 6.00 as shown below and hit OK to accept the changes. When you do, you should see the yellow sphere around your light grow to reflect the new range of the light.

			[[File:REDBG_Light3.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|The yellow wireframe sphere representing the light range updates when you set a new range value.]]

			To see what your light looks like, click the "Lighting" button on the top bar of the RED window (in between Save/Pack and Play). Your room should look similar to the screenshot below - yay!

			[[File:REDBG_Light4.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|After hitting the Lighting button, you will see your light applied to your geometry.]]

	Now, go ahead and use this same method to add lights to the other room and your hallway, with a range that seems to make sense. Remember to hit the "Lighting" button again once you're done in order to see your changes reflected in the world. Once you're happy with how your lighting looks, let's move on to nav points!		Now, go ahead and use this same method to add lights to the other room and your hallway, with a range that seems to make sense. Remember to hit the "Lighting" button again once you're done in order to see your changes reflected in the world. Once you're happy with how your lighting looks, let's move on to nav points!

			[[File:REDBG_Light5.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|Add more lights to the other room and hallway as they make sense. When you hit the Lighting button, you'll see how your lighting changes are affecting your geometry.]]

	===AI navigation===		===AI navigation===

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:23, 16 August 2022
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	Alright, now we've got a basic map layout with textures applied, let's add some lighting! While lighting can get more complex as you learn more about the engine and the editor, the basics are very, very simple. To start, let's shift over to Object mode by using the Mode dropdown in the top left corner, or the hotkey Shift + O.		Alright, now we've got a basic map layout with textures applied, let's add some lighting! While lighting can get more complex as you learn more about the engine and the editor, the basics are very, very simple. To start, let's shift over to Object mode by using the Mode dropdown in the top left corner, or the hotkey Shift + O.

	[[File:REDBG_ObjectList.jpg\|~~thumb~~\|~~300px~~\|Object mode left side panel, showing all available objects.]]		[[File:REDBG_ObjectList.jpg\|none\|frame\|Object mode left side panel, showing all available objects.]]

	In RED, there are only two types of "things" you can manipulate: brushes and objects. Brushes are geometry as you already know, objects are basically everything else - pickups, enemies, allies, vehicles, triggers, regions, lighting, etc. Once you switch to object mode, you'll see all of the objects that are available to you listed in the panel on the left side of your screen. Light is the one we're looking for right now, but later in this guide, we'll come back here and add some others.		In RED, there are only two types of "things" you can manipulate: brushes and objects. Brushes are geometry as you already know, objects are basically everything else - pickups, enemies, allies, vehicles, triggers, regions, lighting, etc. Once you switch to object mode, you'll see all of the objects that are available to you listed in the panel on the left side of your screen. Light is the one we're looking for right now, but later in this guide, we'll come back here and add some others.
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	To add an object to your world, you simply double-click the object type in the panel on the left. When you do, the object will be added to your world '''at your camera location'''. In our case, we obviously want our light to be inside our map, so either position the camera inside the room using the camera movement keys, or hit the Home key to reset your camera to the Player Start, then double-click on the Light object in the panel on the left. Back up the camera slightly and you'll see your new light object represented by a sprite of a lightbulb with a yellow sphere around it as shown in the below screenshot. This sphere represents the range of the light.		To add an object to your world, you simply double-click the object type in the panel on the left. When you do, the object will be added to your world '''at your camera location'''. In our case, we obviously want our light to be inside our map, so either position the camera inside the room using the camera movement keys, or hit the Home key to reset your camera to the Player Start, then double-click on the Light object in the panel on the left. Back up the camera slightly and you'll see your new light object represented by a sprite of a lightbulb with a yellow sphere around it as shown in the below screenshot. This sphere represents the range of the light.

	[[File:REDBG_Light1.jpg\|~~thumb~~\|~~300px~~\|Double-click Light in the object list to place a new light object at the current camera position.]]		[[File:REDBG_Light1.jpg\|none\|frame\|Double-click Light in the object list to place a new light object at the current camera position.]]

	Let's customize our light a little - to edit the properties of the light, right click in the viewport and select Properties, or use the Ctrl + P hotkey.		Let's customize our light a little - to edit the properties of the light, right click in the viewport and select Properties, or use the Ctrl + P hotkey.
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	*'''Ctrl + P''': Open the properties of the selection. In most cases, you can edit the properties of multiple objects at once, but they must be the same type of object. (ie. you can edit the properties of multiple lights at the same time, but you cannot edit the properties of a light and weapon pickup at the same time)		*'''Ctrl + P''': Open the properties of the selection. In most cases, you can edit the properties of multiple objects at once, but they must be the same type of object. (ie. you can edit the properties of multiple lights at the same time, but you cannot edit the properties of a light and weapon pickup at the same time)

	[[File:REDBG_Light2.jpg\|~~thumb~~\|~~300px~~\|Light object properties.]]		[[File:REDBG_Light2.jpg\|none\|frame\|Light object properties.]]

	When the light properties dialog comes up you will see a lot of different options - not to worry though, we're only concentrating on one for the purposes of this guide: the range. Go and set the range to 6.00 as shown below and hit OK to accept the changes. When you do, you should see the yellow sphere around your light grow to reflect the new range of the light.		When the light properties dialog comes up you will see a lot of different options - not to worry though, we're only concentrating on one for the purposes of this guide: the range. Go and set the range to 6.00 as shown below and hit OK to accept the changes. When you do, you should see the yellow sphere around your light grow to reflect the new range of the light.

	[[File:REDBG_Light3.jpg\|~~thumb~~\|~~300px~~\|The yellow wireframe sphere representing the light range updates when you set a new range value.]]		[[File:REDBG_Light3.jpg\|none\|frame\|The yellow wireframe sphere representing the light range updates when you set a new range value.]]

	To see what your light looks like, click the "Lighting" button on the top bar of the RED window (in between Save/Pack and Play). Your room should look similar to the screenshot below - yay!		To see what your light looks like, click the "Lighting" button on the top bar of the RED window (in between Save/Pack and Play). Your room should look similar to the screenshot below - yay!

	[[File:REDBG_Light4.jpg\|~~thumb~~\|~~300px~~\|After hitting the Lighting button, you will see your light applied to your geometry.]]		[[File:REDBG_Light4.jpg\|none\|frame\|After hitting the Lighting button, you will see your light applied to your geometry.]]

	Now, go ahead and use this same method to add lights to the other room and your hallway, with a range that seems to make sense. Remember to hit the "Lighting" button again once you're done in order to see your changes reflected in the world. Once you're happy with how your lighting looks, let's move on to nav points!		Now, go ahead and use this same method to add lights to the other room and your hallway, with a range that seems to make sense. Remember to hit the "Lighting" button again once you're done in order to see your changes reflected in the world. Once you're happy with how your lighting looks, let's move on to nav points!

	[[File:REDBG_Light5.jpg\|~~thumb~~\|~~300px~~\|Add more lights to the other room and hallway as they make sense. When you hit the Lighting button, you'll see how your lighting changes are affecting your geometry.]]		[[File:REDBG_Light5.jpg\|none\|frame\|Add more lights to the other room and hallway as they make sense. When you hit the Lighting button, you'll see how your lighting changes are affecting your geometry.]]

	===AI navigation===		===AI navigation===