How hard is it to start mapping, from literal scratch? Is it a hard trade?

[Chris_Redfield]

Question above. Im considering a specific map, amusing, for myself. Is it hard to start up?

[Spik3d]

Well, I wouldn't say it's "hard". I'd say it's kinda like driving. It's hard at first, but it's much easier later on.

If you're going to start mapping, I suggest you look through the Call of Duty 1, 2, and 4 tutorials on ModsOnline.com (http://www.modsonline.com/) as the "core" of the three are all similar. You may also want to register at ModsOnline and/or IW's forum for help and whatnot.

I've been using the Radiant editor for a long time now, and what I did when I first downloaded it was just mess around with it. It's not like the BF drag and drop editor though, it's an editor where you build each separate brush/block and put them together to make something. There are also patch meshes (simple patch curve and simple patch terrain IIRC) which are used for terrain, cylinders, etc.