This is essentially the first map I’ve made. I started working on this map a couple days ago. I have the whole thing sketched out, and so far I have most of the first part complete. I figure I’d show you guys what I’ve been up to.
Still a work in progress, still three most sections that I want to add.
EDIT: EDIT: EDIT: Even EVEN newer version. Lucky dog. Download it here.
ahh imagedump that isn’t actually an imagedump
i opened one link, looks like shit
stop
Aces, really. Thanks.
Got rid of all of the image links because yeah, it was too many.
ahhh, not fullbright
That’s a good thing, right?
Not bad for your first map, you gotta work on the lighting though.
I have to keep saying this: Details. Box rooms don’t look good.
I’m thinking of learning how to map in Source, can someone please point me in the direction of some websites I could learn from. 
Blast it with models.
Thankyou, much appreciated. 
Beat me to it. These and experience have taught me almost all I know about mapping.
Think what the purpose of the room is and place things accordingly. Perhaps it is a living area. Put in some chairs and a table with a TV on it and the like. Maybe its a kitchen. Put in a stove and frige and the like. Just don’t put in props because there need to be props.
Ok. Since I already have a TV and a couch, I guess I’ll go the living room route.
Any suggestions on how to fix this lighting catastrophe?
Up the light map scale on the walls, and maybe take out a few lights in return for fewer brighter ones.
Place regular lights alongside the spotlights so it’ll shine upwards as well as downwards. Light bounce should cause the whole room to be lit up, the ceiling should not be dark.
Fixed hallway lighting, I think I have better luck hanging lights on the wall.
And a properly propped room:
EDIT:
Ok, I’ll try regular lights.
Think realistically. A dome-shaped light placed on the wall would not make a cone of light. I know the spotlight is an attractive effect in source, but don’t overuse it. Just use regular lights. As for your rooms, try adding walls in the room to partition off space and to break up the boxiness. Also use waist-high walls to cut off a room but allow you to look in, creating a nice use of space. You seem to be going for a disused, worn-in look, too, so do something like make a wall and then break it. Use this tutorial to make a wall that looks adequately broken, and rubble all over the floor around it. Interesting details like this are what make a map unique. You need to develop an eye for realistic, small details like those. Good luck.
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