First of all, thanks for viewing this topic This is something I've been wanting to ask for quite a while, but never thought about posting a topic to get my answer.

So to all of the community mappers out there, what makes a map good? I know the effort you put into your map, along with uniqueness and the fun factor all play the general role, but there must be some other secret that I'm missing. Which sort of leads to the other half of my question - detail. I think the biggest thing holding me back is not knowing what things look like. I'm more of a visual learner, I guess you could say, and by that I mean that I like seeing examples of things I'm doing. Like if I were drawing an animal, or some sort of scene, I wouldn't just be able to think about what it might look like, I would have to look up a picture or an example.

Is that what you guys do when you're making a map? Do you look up examples of what you're mapping would look like? Say if you were mapping a castle, or a town or something, how do you know what kinds of things should be there? What types of things would be scattered on the floor? What would the terrain be like? What do you guys do to know what to put in your map to fit the setting?

Sorry for the rather dumb topic, but I'm just so curious about this and wondering how you guys make such astonishing maps. Hopefully someone has an answer that will help me, as I look up to you guys (sorry to sound fanboy-ish) and in the future want to make maps like the ones you all do.

Thanks again, and I hope I dont just come off as some ridiculous newbie here.

Well I have to say that a map is made up of really 3 things:
1. Mod - the weapons and what not
2. Scripts - anything in the map that would make it "play-ably" unique
3. Map - the detail and layout

The common misconception for people making maps is that you only need the first 2 to have a good map, hence all the box maps with over the top scripts and mod features which are likely just uploads from other people's work. In my opinion the best maps out there are only that good because of the amount of detail in the map. I know there are a lot of people who spend a lot of time on map layout and making a really cool map design, but it just isn't conveyed properly without it looking amazing as well.

JBird's Personal Mapping Tips: (that is they are strictly from my point of view and should be taken with a grain of salt)
- Take your time! A map does not need to be rushed, its a work of art. Spending a month on a map is not going to cut it, you need to spend upwards of 4 months (at least) on a map. I spent a total of 6 months each on Overrun Lockdown, and not to mention Leviathan took a year!
- Find inspiration. Basically you can take screen shots from other cod games, or other games in general (even just google stuff). Its good to get some ideas besides your own on designing buildings, rooms and landscape.
- Use proper scales for what you are making. If you make a room, make sure the doors, windows and everything else are actually what they would scale to in real life. You can easily just place a character model in your map for reference when making something so that you know you are working with the proper heights.

Good luck with your mapping, and I hope that helps a bit.

Well I have to say that a map is made up of really 3 things:
1. Mod - the weapons and what not
2. Scripts - anything in the map that would make it "play-ably" unique
3. Map - the detail and layout

The common misconception for people making maps is that you only need the first 2 to have a good map, hence all the box maps with over the top scripts and mod features which are likely just uploads from other people's work. In my opinion the best maps out there are only that good because of the amount of detail in the map. I know there are a lot of people who spend a lot of time on map layout and making a really cool map design, but it just isn't conveyed properly without it looking amazing as well.

JBird's Personal Mapping Tips: (that is they are strictly from my point of view and should be taken with a grain of salt)
- Take your time! A map does not need to be rushed, its a work of art. Spending a month on a map is not going to cut it, you need to spend upwards of 4 months (at least) on a map. I spent a total of 6 months each on Overrun Lockdown, and not to mention Leviathan took a year!
- Find inspiration. Basically you can take screen shots from other cod games, or other games in general (even just google stuff). Its good to get some ideas besides your own on designing buildings, rooms and landscape.
- Use proper scales for what you are making. If you make a room, make sure the doors, windows and everything else are actually what they would scale to in real life. You can easily just place a character model in your map for reference when making something so that you know you are working with the proper heights.

Good luck with your mapping, and I hope that helps a bit.

I completely agree with everything JBird said, but i have to emphasize map layout, i find that more important than detail: try to have your map link up with other so you never get trapped in a single room or area

As long as map has good layout, detail that works with map, not just spammed models and tested features, then I think the map is good

Well I have to say that a map is made up of really 3 things:
1. Mod - the weapons and what not
2. Scripts - anything in the map that would make it "play-ably" unique
3. Map - the detail and layout

The common misconception for people making maps is that you only need the first 2 to have a good map, hence all the box maps with over the top scripts and mod features which are likely just uploads from other people's work. In my opinion the best maps out there are only that good because of the amount of detail in the map. I know there are a lot of people who spend a lot of time on map layout and making a really cool map design, but it just isn't conveyed properly without it looking amazing as well.

JBird's Personal Mapping Tips: (that is they are strictly from my point of view and should be taken with a grain of salt)
- Take your time! A map does not need to be rushed, its a work of art. Spending a month on a map is not going to cut it, you need to spend upwards of 4 months (at least) on a map. I spent a total of 6 months each on Overrun Lockdown, and not to mention Leviathan took a year!
- Find inspiration. Basically you can take screen shots from other cod games, or other games in general (even just google stuff). Its good to get some ideas besides your own on designing buildings, rooms and landscape.
- Use proper scales for what you are making. If you make a room, make sure the doors, windows and everything else are actually what they would scale to in real life. You can easily just place a character model in your map for reference when making something so that you know you are working with the proper heights.

Good luck with your mapping, and I hope that helps a bit.

Wow thanks so much JBird! That really did help a ton and will definately be sure to make my future maps as good as I can by using those tips! Thanks also to smasher and Hitman You guys have helped a lot