Valve Hammer Editor

by Valve Developer Community

Edit and create the maps for some classic Valve games

Operating system: Windows

Publisher: Valve Developer Community

Release: Valve Hammer Editor 3.5.2

Antivirus check: passed

Last revision: Last week

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Download Valve Hammer Editor

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 INFO

Requires a ZIP file compressor.

Requires the game used for level editing.

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.                        