Brushes and Props randomly vanishing?

[Slew]

As my maps get larger, random brushes and props begin to get deleted for some reason. I've got a skybox around the level, so there shouldn't be any leaks causing the problem right?

The brushes are a bit less random compared to the props, only the major ones get deleted, like bodys of water or brushes central to the level design. Don't know if this means anything, or how the program manages to tell which brushes are most important.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Dead-Inside]

Sounds to me like you got a lot of reading to do. You should start with this page;
http://www.valve-erc.com/srcsdk/Levels/performance_and_visibility.html
and
http://www.valve-erc.com/srcsdk/Levels/optimizing_and_checking.html

About props disappearing, start with checking their fade distance (In their properties) Should be set to Start: -1 and Stop: 0.

Don't just place a big skybox around your map to solve "leak problems";
http://www.editlife.net/tutorials.php?id=30

You should also read about cubemaps (Concerning the water issue, possibly);
http://forum.interlopers.net/viewtopic.php?t=1965

 

[Slew]

OK, so the skybox should be an extension of the map not just around it...?
I've already checked the props fade distance, that isn't the problem with them. Changing them from physics to static sometimes works, but obviously that's not an ideal solution.

Just some clarification; the brushes aren't just vanishing in game, they actually get deleted from the map entirely.
I guess I could try reinstalling the SDK to see if that works. (assuming I can find the uninstall option)

Thanks.

 

[Mechagodzilla]

I have no clue about the brushes, but I think I know what's wrong with your props.

Try using prop_physics_override for any of the props that you'd like to be gravgunnable, and prop_dynamic_override for anything you want immobile that isn't showing up.

Most props are designed specifically for one purpose. Being static/dynamic or being physically simulated.
So if you try to make a motionless prop into a physics object, it often causes an error and removes the prop from the complied map.

Prop_*_override forces the prop to do what you want though.
The only downside is that it might prevent certain props from being breakable or stuff like that, because it overrides the normal qualities of the prop.

I'm pretty sure that'll fix your props, since it's apparently not the visibility.

 

[kaf11]

Don't just place a big skybox around your map to solve "leak problems";
http://www.editlife.net/tutorials.php?id=30

I have an urban map that i started within the apparently "noob" large box. the map is coming along great, but should i change it so that its not within a box? I have a wall running behind the buildings and you wouldnt really be able to get to the point where you could tell it was a skybox so i guess it would be easy for me to change. I just dont understand what difference it will make on my map.

EDIT: im pretty good with brushwork and didnt enclose it to solve any leak problems.

 

[Dead-Inside]

It makes, first of all, huge differences to compile time. Secondly it makes the map run smoother and thirdly it can remove bugs that may or may not occur (It has happened but it's not a rule ).

 

[Slew]

OK, now it's getting really bad. Brushes are getting deleted while I'm still in hammer. One second they're right there, the next, and they're gone, right before my eyes. I tried undo but nothing happened, so I'm not accidently deleting them.

 

[Geronimous]

What are your system specs? Data loss on the fly sounds very bad to me... I'm surprised your system keeps running with that.

 

[Dead-Inside]

Sounds like you're "accidently" using visgroups. Check to your lower right and see to it that all boxes are checked.

 

[Slew]

Sounds like you're "accidently" using visgroups. Check to your lower right and see to it that all boxes are checked.

omg... so simple...
thank you so much

 

[smokeyassassin]

nope not visgroups, same happening to me, normally on loading a level, most comment problems,
ladders, water, any entites that do anything, esp breakable objects, hammer just removes them from the map.

OH btw, hammer suffers from memory leakage, so if your hammer is on for say over 6 hours, you should save and reboot.