Level creation

The answer varies all over the map, depending on what the technology is.

For BSP-based FPS-type games (Half-Life 2, etc), you build geometry in a custom editor that's dedicated to the engine in question.

For certain consoles and games with fully custom geometry levels, you'd build the entire level in Max, and export it and "bake" it using custom plug-in tools. I know EQ built their levels this way, for example. (You may use detail objects/props that you place afterwards, too)

Another approach is to use heightmap-based ground elevation, and use a placement editor that places objects ("culturals") on the ground; the runtime then generates terrain from the heightmap and loads the individual objects.

EQ?

Everquest

For our engine, the level artist uses Max to make the main static geometry, then brings it in as a .x file, applies textures in our editor, then adds decals, lights, entities, etc. in our editor.

If I'd have known that we would build levels this way, I may have made the editor a max plugin instead of a separate application...

Quote:

Original post by SimmerD For our engine, the level artist uses Max to make the main static geometry, then brings it in as a .x file, applies textures in our editor, then adds decals, lights, entities, etc. in our editor. If I'd have known that we would build levels this way, I may have made the editor a max plugin instead of a separate application...

Thanks for information, by the way is it out or indoor levels?