Mapping - s&box Editor Documentation

Mapping

s&box includes Hammer, the Source 2 level editor, for creating maps and environments. Build worlds with brushes, props, lighting, and gameplay entities.

Getting Started

Open Hammer from the Asset Browser or press F9 in the editor.

Editor Interface

Hammer consists of:

• 2D Views — Top, front, side orthographic views
• 3D View — Real-time 3D preview with lighting
• Tool Properties — Settings for current tool
• Asset Browser — Models, materials, sounds
• Outliner — Object hierarchy

Basic Workflow

1. Create Geometry — Use block tool to make brushes
2. Apply Materials — Paint surfaces with textures
3. Add Props — Place static and physics models
4. Lighting — Add light entities
5. Gameplay — Place spawn points, triggers
6. Compile — Build the map for runtime

Brushes vs Props

• Brushes — Simple convex geometry, good for walls/floors
• Props — Complex models, better detail, movable

Entity Types

• infoplayerstart — Player spawn point
• light_omni — Point light
• light_spot — Spot light
• env_sky — Sky and global lighting
• trigger_multiple — Gameplay trigger

Compiling

Press F9 to compile. Levels compile to a runtime format that s&box can load.

Shortcuts

Hammer Docs

See Hammer Shortcutsopen_in_new for more keyboard commands.