How to Create a Halo CE Map Without Sapien

Create new maps to use when playing Halo CE with friends.

Halo Custom Edition (CE) allows you to upload maps you've created. These maps require a unique set of software options, most of them available for free on the Internet. Typically, after you finish your map, you add extras such as weapons and enemies using Sapien software. However, you can upload a map that has not gone through Sapien. These maps are typically best left for multiplayer games, since they have no enemie spawn points.

Things You'll Need

• 3D modeling software

Instructions

1. Download and install the Halo editing software (see Resources).

2. Open the image manipulation software and create the texture for a ground map. Save it by pressing the "Ctrl" and "S" keys. Move the image into its own folder. Open "My Computer" and locate the image. Right-click in the blank space of the window, and scroll to "New Folder." Type a name, such as "Halo Texture," and drag and drop the image into the folder.

3. Open the Halo CE file compiler. Click on the "File" button and scroll to "Open." Click on the folder containing the file and press "OK." The program automatically converts your texture into a bitmap.

4. Turn the texture into a ground. Open the "Guerrilla" program. Click "File" and "Open," and locate the bitmap file in the folder. Click on the folder, then the file, and press "OK." Click on the "Format" button, and select "Compress with Explicit Alpha."

5. Click on the "New File" icon and press the button that reads "shader_enviornment." This opens a new window. Click on the button that reads "Simple Parameterization." Click on the "Physics Properties" menu and select one of the options, such as "Dirt" or "Stone." Click on the "Diffuse Properties" drop-down menu, and click on the bitmap file you converted.

6. Set the map's scale. Click on the icon that reads "Primary Detail Map Scale," and scroll to "Secondary Detail Map Scale" and then to "Micro Detail Map Scale." Enter 30 in the box and press "OK." Click on the file menu, and scroll to "Save As." Write "data/levels/" and type the name of your Halo CE map. Click on the tab in the left field that reads "Halo director" and press "OK."

7. Combine the map and texture. Open the 3D modeling program, and import the bitmap texture file. Use the tools in the toolbox to add details to the map. Add high points, low points and any accents you enjoy. Save the file in the Halo directory.

References

• Halo Custom Edition: How Do I Make Halo CE Maps
• Halo Custom Editing: How to Modify CE Maps

Resources

• Halo Maps: Halo Editing Kit
• Halo Maps: Tutorials