Valve Hammer Editor, known previously as Worldcraft, is a map editor designed by Valve. This tool is useful for creating custom maps and game modes and is essential for any big Counter-Strike, Left 4 Dead 2, or Half-Life player. The tool works by designing blocks and allows for a recreation of anything a player can think of. Using the tools of the engine the player can create anything that they want, and place objects anywhere they would like. This tool uses the binary space partitioning method to create dynamic playable and fully customizable levels. This software is currently packaged as a part of the larger Source SDK Suite and comes with all Valve games.
Hammer uses four windows to build levels: three grids and a 3D view. The user starts by creating the main level world out of blocks. These can easily be edited to look different through the use of customizable textures to paint. These blocks can then be edited to match the shape desired by the designer. Smaller more dynamic pieces of levels can also be inserted through the Hammer tool. These props and entities give levels of life and functionality. With all of the tools available to a designer, but easily accessible and labeled, this is one of the most dynamic tools available to aspiring level designers out there today. While the engine is dated, it still works well.
Features:
Allows for fully customized editing and creating of maps for some classic Valve games
3D viewing and rendering.
Customizable view.
Customized elligible animation sequences.
Allows for custom texture application
Advanced compilation of the user interface tools.
Viewing support depending on the game.
While this software has not been significantly updated in some time, the Valve Hammer Editor allows for hours of editing and content creation. This combines the joy of editing and creating with the ease of building in an almost Minecraft-like fashion. This is an easy level design that is accessible for non-programmers. As a free tool in part of the larger Source SDK package, this is quality software that works well with any PC.
ADDITIONAL SCREENSHOTS
ADDITIONAL INFO
Requires a ZIP file compressor.
Requires the game used for level editing.
PROS
Intuitive interface enhances user experience.
Supports a variety of game engines.
Regular updates provide added features.
CONS
Has a steep learning curve for beginners.
Lacks a comprehensive, user-friendly tutorial.
Can be prone to occasional crashes.
✨ SELECTED USER REVIEW ✨
Joseph
Tue, Jan 9, 2024
Are you a fan of Worldcraft? Are you interested in creating and editing maps, designing blocks and so on?
Valve Hammer Editor is a must-have for Worldcraft fans. The app is free and is packaged as a part of the larger Source SDK Suite. It comes with a useful tutorial so that you can quickly learn how to use the app. The programme has a lot of great features. For example, you can control such things as textures, lighting, and event triggers. Another useful feature is 3D rendering and reviews. Furthermore, the app allows you to create your own scripted scenarios.
👨💻️ USER REVIEWS AND COMMENTS 💬
Owen
If you're a gamer, you might be interested in learning how to make your own Valve video games. You now can in just a few simple steps with the assistance of the Valve Hammer Editor. The Valve Hammer Editor is Valve's own map editor. You can design your own games by using the program's building blocks. You can also recreate any of the scenarios from the games that you love.
Ryan
This is a great way to learn all the source engine and how games and such run on the computers. This is an official mapping tool that is 100% safe and it comes available in 32 and 64 bit. This is awesome software because it is easy to make games and everything and also have to be part of the band. The tutorial is awesome
Andrew
I would use Valve Hammer over other programs now because of the ease of use and compatibility. I have been using it for a few weeks now pretty effectively and haven’t noticed any issues. I’ve used it most often with Half-Life so can’t comment much on other uses but for me it’s definitely a tool I will be using for the foreseeable future.
Jamie
It's a robust editor that works seamlessly with many of the half-life engines. You can make custom multiplayer maps or scripted scenarios. The UI grants a lot of control over various things like textures, lighting, and event triggers. The software has been around for a long time, so there's a ton of documentation and a lot of detailed tutorials to help new mappers.
Harrison
Valve Hammer Editor ('Hammer') allows a user to edit maps within games. You can design terrain by placing blocks, before adding objects to the world. This allows you to continue creating fresh new scenarios in beloved games, giving new life to existing mechanics. Valve often operates at the cutting edge with their software, and they have continued to do so here; many hours can be spent honing a perfect re-skin of a map for you and your friends to explore. Hammer comes highly recommended, as with all Valve products, and it is easy to see why; download for free and begin creating.
Angus
It's on the oldest and still good application for rendering, making, writing the game, or make the visual. The functionality of the application is wide open, also it got patches, and updates every few months. The main functions such as export, import, look and make the render or video. A lot of types of animations, types of texture, colors, and more specific tools with an easy well understandable design of the app. It's probably the easiest app for making the games.
Joseph
Valve Hammer Editor is a map editor designed. In terms of the pros of this software is that it is free for download. In addition, this software has an easy way to make games and everything about it. Furthermore, you are able to create a custom multiplayer map or even though scripted scenarios. Also, if you are a gamer this program is perfect for you because if you like or love a game you will be able to recreate any of the scenarios from the game
Charlie
Valve Hammer Editor is a tool used for map editor for game development. It is based on deigning by blocks and allowing the user to create the geometry of game's scenarios. It is also called a Worldcraft. Using the Valve Hammer Editor you can also create your own games. Some of its features are: 1) Eligible animation sequences 2) 3D rendering and reviews 3) customizable view. For downloading, it requires a zip compatible compressor. And also it require the game maps are to be edited. Many game players have liked this tool and they used it
Archie
Wow! If you’re a video game designer or even if you just play games as a hobby, I would highly recommend trying out this editor. This editor allows you to create and place objects into your game, so you can let your imagination run wild! It runs flawlessly on the Windows operating system, which a handful of video games editors use today. I can’t recommend this software enough, it’s made video games even more fun for me!
Liam
I love using the Valve Hammer Editor for Windows because it's a program that makes it really easy to map out the engines that Valve games operate on, which include not just Goldsource but also Source. If you're trying to figure out the infrastructure behind your favorite Worldcraft games, then this is the tool for you, especially since it offers great stability.
Josh
It is a mapping tool for games. It can operate in windows systems for both 32 and 64 bit operating systems. It creates map for the game engine. It is created by Valve based on block designs. It helps us to create geometry in scenarios of the game and important for counter strike games. It is free for download and use.
Jude
You can design and add things to your game with this editor. Many different aspects, including texturing, lighting, and event triggers, can be controlled by the UI. Since the program has been in existence for a while, a ton of documentation and thorough tutorials are available to assist new mappers. On Windows, it functions without any issues. If you're a video game designer or even if you just enjoy playing games as a hobby, I can't recommend this software enough.
Rory Schurch
Valve Hammer Editor (VHE) is a game level editor used to create levels for use with the Source engine, a 3D game engine developed by Valve Corporation. It is an integral part of the Source SDK, a software development kit for creating games using the Source engine. It contains tools for editing the level's architecture, scripting events, creating textures, and adding entities such as AI, dynamic lighting, and 3D models.
Cole I.
Valve Hammer Editor is an extremely powerful and versatile tool for creating maps for the Source Engine. It is easy to use and features a wide array of features including automatic texture alignment and a 3D viewport. The entity toolset is comprehensive and intuitive, allowing for a great deal of control over the map. The lighting system is robust and allows for great detail. The compile process is very fast and efficient. The only downside is that there is no built-in support for scripts and other more advanced features. Overall, Valve Hammer Editor is a powerful and reliable map editor.
Angus H******f
Valve Hammer Editor is an amazing tool for creating custom maps and levels. It is easy to use and has a lot of features to help you create your dream map.
Thomas Zwicker
Valve Hammer Editor is a powerful and versatile tool for creating custom maps for Source Engine games, but it has a steep learning curve and can be overwhelming for beginners.
Aaron Craighton
Valve Hammer Editor is a powerful tool for creating and editing game maps, but requires a significant amount of time and effort to master.
Fraser
The Valve Hammer Editor, a crucial part of the Valve Software Development Kit, is designed for the creation and development of levels for games using the Source engine. It offers versatile terrain and texture manipulation, empowering users to create complex game environments. Additionally, the feature-packed editor includes entity parameters setting tools, making it easier to define objects' behaviour in the world. Complete with a well-rounded asset handling system, it also ensures smoother navigation and organization of project files.
Blake
A versatile tool for creating 3D game environments, yet with a steep learning curve especially for beginners.