Valve Hammer Editor

Hammer (version 4.x), sometimes informally called Hammer 4, is Valve's in-house level editor for titles, included in the Source SDK. It is a further evolution of Hammer 3.x from the GoldSrc engine. Many of its core concepts, features, and UI elements still match those of 3.x, as does the underlying mapping theory: building sealed levels with brushes and compiling them into BSP maps. 
While in many ways improved, its core is still tied to ancient software architecture, and, being a product of its time, it often struggles under the load of designing modern, highly detailed looking levels. 
Despite that, and every other Source title was built with it. Its relative ease of entry and gradual learning curve attract modders to this day. This version of Hammer also continued to receive updates to this day.
 
== Installing and launching ==
Older versions of Hammer (for and earlier) are shipped in their respective Source SDK packages, and are intended to be launched via the deprecated Source SDK Launcher.
Since the SteamPipe update and the release of , Hammer are often preinstalled automatically with the games, and is available in the folder of a particular game (, , etc). However, in some cases, such as games starting with , , etc., or some third-party Source games, their Authoring Tools need to be installed and launched to access Hammer.
Some of these sub-versions are interchangeable, such as between HL2, both of its Episodes, Portal, and . Others, such as Portal 2's and , have certain exclusive features ( integration for P2, Sprinkle Tool for CS:GO) and may not be fully compatible with other titles. Additionally, VMF files created on newer branches of Hammer (such as ) may crashes on Hammer made for older branches (like ) when loaded, unless it was converted or by using community-made version of Hammer.
For further information on setting up Hammer for Source, see Your First Map, Getting Started and its following articles. 
See also :Category:Hammer for more links to Hammer documentation.
== Features and tools ==
Compared to Hammer 3.x, the most notable new features include Displacements, I/O system, and using Source's own materialsystem for rendering textures and models. Later versions expanded on the user interface, adding the particle browser (since ASW), improved Model Browser, instances and other extra tools.
== Extensions ==
* updates Hammer with additional tools and modernized workflow, realtime in-editor lighting preview, in-editor physics and more.
* is a set of FGD enhancements, editor assets and scripts for working with Hammer, which don't directly modify the editor.
* addresses performance and bug issues, adds convenience options and features, and comes with extended compilers: Slammin' Compile Tools;
== Developer resources ==
* Level Design Video Tutorials - a large collection of videos on mapping techniques and tricks across multiple Source titles.
* Mapping Sites and General Sites - listing of forums and resources in various languages.
* Map Archive Sites - for downloading existing maps (primarily for Half-Life 2).
* See :Category:Level Design for all documentation on the subject.
== Common issues ==
=== No grid (black viewports) ===
First, check that the grid is on. The hotkey controls, so give it a try.
If that didn't help, check the formatting of your mod's . 
It needs to include a key called , and the number after it needs to match the Steam Application ID of the base game you will be using to launch your mod.
This issue may also be caused by using a different Hammer version than the one intended for the game. To stay on the safe side, be sure to be launching from the folder of the base game of your mod, or using Authoring Tools to launch it, if you're modding Portal 2, Left 4 Dead or Left 4 Dead 2 or Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
=== Poor performance ===
The fault is due to Hammer's legacy and unmaintained code. It will struggle to display too many detailed objects and draw levels across vast distances; this is even apparent with Half-Life 2's own stock levels. To make matters worse, having a large number of visible objects - regardless of what they are or how low-poly they are - will degrade both performance and input times, and make everything like selecting, editing settings, or moving objects take longer. Hammer++ and Slammin' Hammer fix some of these performance pitfalls.
To workaround this, keep the Model and Detail render distance in the 3D View tab of the Settings, on the lower side.
Make sure you didn't accidentally turn on Radius Culling by pressing . This easy to press hotkey can cause huge performance loss and, to add insult to injury, make your level not compile until it is turned off.
The Radius Culling status is indicated by a circled red "R" on the Map Operations toolbar. Make sure it is de-pressed, unless you actually intend to use it.
=== Fatal Error Out of thread ids ===
In and , if your CPU has more than 19 () or 26 () threads, Hammer will crash.
See Fatal Error Out of thread ids for workaround.
=== Crashes ===
Similar to above issue, Hammer can occasionally randomly crashes, while using it. Always save (and make sure Autosave is enabled) to prevent data loss.
=== Freezing during compiling ===
Prior to Hammer in and later which opens up a separate CMD window, Hammer has it's own compiler window, which can freeze the entire program during compiling.
To workaround this and see the compiling progress, users can use , open the log file (example: ), and go to View > Monitoring (tail -f) (this will prevent Notepad++ from editing the file until "Monitoring" is turned off). Alternatively, users can use Hammer++ which also opens up seperate CMD window when compiling maps.
== Version History ==
=== Old Engine (Source 2004 & 2006) ===
Version 	Game/Branch 	Release date 	Features
4.0 (build 2934)	All games 	November 05, 2004 	Initial release of Hammer in the Source SDK.
Updates:
* Source Engine materials system. Materials created with the Source Engine's advanced shader-based texturing system are properly rendered inside the Hammer Editor. 
* Displacement surfaces. A new class of mesh geometry that can be sculpted into different shapes and connected to one another to create terrain and other complex surfaces.
* Input and Outputs entity system. Entities use a new method to trigger and connect to one another, offering a higher level of flexibility and control than ever before. 
* Hierarchical VisGroups. Objects can now be in multiple VisGroups, and Visgroups can be organized in a hierarchical manner for easier selection and organization.
* Entity Helpers. New user interface controls that make editing parameters on entities such as spotlights and doors easier and clearer.
* Per-face Lightmap controls. Lightmap density can be controlled on a per-face basis for more control over the balance of visual quality and rendering performance. 
* Sound Browser. Built-in browser to hear a preview of sounds available to level designers.
* Non-modal Entity Report and Check for Problems dialogs. Dialogs are now non-modal, allowing for changes in the level and camera controls while using the information in the dialog boxes.
* Smoothing Groups. Per-face control of lighting-based smoothing. 
* Find and Replace. Functions to both search and replace for text in any entity name, parameter, input, or output.
* Selection Mode toolbar. A new toolbar to control the impact of groups and entities upon the selection tools. 
* Overlays. A new type of texture entity, similar to decals, but with far greater control over how it is applied to surfaces.
4.0 (build 2959)	 	November 22-30, 2004	Updated version of Source SDK 2004.
4.1 (build 3316)	, All games and newer	November 22, 2005 	
Updates:
* HDR tools support. Hammer now have the options to compile maps with HDR support. All game FGDs was also updated to include options for changing value for users running the game with HDR enabled. Map compilers (including VRAD) have been also updated with HDR support.
* VGUI Model Browser. All new model browser with a full tree control and real-time 3D previewing of model geometry, rendered with the Source material system.
* Enhanced 2D and 3D Views. 2D and 3D views are now rendered with a unified Source materials system, allowing for real-time feedback of transformations in all viewports simultaneously, and much faster rendering of the viewports. 
* 2D model and displacement Rendering. Prop models and displacement geometry rendering in 2D viewports.
* Enhanced Auto Visgroups. A larger number of Visgroup categories, as well as an improved interface makes Visgroups more powerful.
* Autosave feature. Creates automatic, numbered backups of maps, with options for when and where backups are created.
* Paste Special enhancements. Provides options for renaming objects when pasted to avoid name collisions with automatic entity I/O fixup.
4.1 (build 4037)	 	November 13, 2007 	Last Old Engine (and Source 2006) version of Hammer.
=== Orange Box + SteamPipe (2007, 2009, 2013) ===
Version 	Game/Branch 	Release date 	Features
4.1 (build 4038-404x)	 	November 14, 2007 	
Updates:
* Inspecting Leaves in Hammer. You can now see visleaves using the Load Portal File option in Hammer, instead of using the application.
* Resizable Object Properties window. The Object Properties window can now be resized, and by default, it is larger and wider.
Fixes:
* Cubemaps can now be built for maps running in the Orange Box engine.
* Added Hammer models and materials that were missing in the 11/07 release.'''
4.1 (build 4715) 	 	September 21, 2009 	Last version of Hammer for Source 2007.
4.1 (build 5439) 	(, ) 	September 15, 2011 	Last version of Hammer for Source 2009.
4.1 (build 5476) 	 	October 22, 2011 (build date)December 13, 2013 (leak)	Leaked Postal III SDK. Based on Hammer.
Updates:
* Support for Postal III's "prefabs" (not to be confused with Hammer's Prefab feature).
4.1 (build 5845) 	(, , etc.) 	October 25, 2012 	Last version of Hammer for Source MP.
4.1 (build 6083) 	 	June 27, 2013(build date June 20, 2013) 	Initial release of Source 2013 SP Hammer.
None. Only SteamPipe fixes.
4.1 (build 6081) 	 	June 27, 2013(build date June 18, 2013) 	Initial release of Source 2013 MP Hammer.
None. Only SteamPipe fixes.
4.1 (build 6412) 	 	May 15, 2014 	Latest version for Source 2013 SP ( branch).
Updates:
* In Hammer Vertex Tool, you can snap the verts of a brush to the nearest grid point with + .
4.1 (build 6440) 	 	June 12, 2014 	Latest version for Source 2013 SP ( branch).
None.
4.1 (build 9008) 	 	July 2, 2021 	Latest version for , , and Last version for prior to running on after 20th anniversary update.
4.1 (build 9092) 	 	September 16, 2021 	Unknown
4.1 (build 9109) 	Team Fortress 2 	October 5, 2021 	Unknown
4.1 (build 9464) 	Team Fortress 2 	September 26, 2022 	Unknown
4.1 (build 9520) 	 	November 17, 2023 (release) 	Last version prior to 20th Anniversary update.
4.1 (build 9540) 	Team Fortress 2 	December 8, 2022 	Unknown
4.1 (build 10038) 	Team Fortress 2 	April 18, 2024 	Updates: 
* Added a dedicated 64-bit version. This will allow Hammer to access more than 4 GB of RAM, and slightly better performance.
4.1 (build 10042) 	Team Fortress 2 	April 22, 2024 	Latest version for .
4.1 (build 10247) 	Half-Life 2 	November 16, 2024 	Half-Life 2 20th anniversary update. Also latest version as of 1/7/2025.
Updates:
* Show detail sprite preview on non-displacement surfaces.
* Increased many limits for BSP data. Models 1024 -> 2048, Brushes 8192 -> 16384, TexInfo 12288 -> 16384, TexData 2048 -> 8096, DispInfo 2048 -> 8096.
Fixes:
* Fixed bug where orphaned entities added additional data on each map load.
* Fixed the ability to render cubemaps.
4.1 (build 10259) 	Half-Life 2: Deathmatch	November 27, 2024 	Latest version for .
=== Standalone branch ( ) ===
Version 	Game/Branch 	Release date 	Features
4.1 (build 4586) 	 	May 15, 2009 	Beta release of 's Hammer.
4.1 (build 4627) 	 	June 25, 2009 	Initial release of 's Hammer.
Updates:
* CMD compiling progress window. When compiling maps, Hammer will instead opens up separate CMD window instead of via Hammer itself, preventing it from freezing the entire program.
4.1 (unknown build) 	 	Between November 17, 2009 and December 26, 2009 	Initial release of 's Hammer.
4.1 (unknown launch build)	 	July 19, 2010 	Valve Map Format (.vmf) that are created using this version are incompatible with previous version of Hammer without some modification and workarounds (such as using Left 4 Dead Authoring Tools/Left 4 Dead 2 Authoring Tools or editing VMF files).
Updates:
* Added options to export the selected brushes to Maya.
4.1 (build 5307) 	 	May 6, 2011 	Initial release of 's Hammer.
4.1 (build 5313) 	Portal 2 	May 12, 2011 	
Fixes:
* Fixed certain keystrokes being ignored by Hammer when browsing models
4.1 (build 5318) 	Portal 2 	May 17, 2011 	
Fixes:
* Fixed crash that could occur when malformed brushes were saved in a map and then re-opened in Hammer.
* Hammer will now properly save maps after detecting and fixing malformed brushes. Fixes “Permission Denied” error some users were experiencing.
* Removed “Lighting Preview” option as this is not currently supported.
4.1 (build 5321) 	Portal 2 	May 20, 2011 	
Fixes:
* Fixed Hammer becoming unresponsive after launching map
4.1 (build 5327 to 5688) 	Portal 2 	May 26, 2011 to May 21, 2012 	Unknown
4.1 (BETA, unknown build) 	 	May 5, 2012 (or earlier) 	Initial release of 's Hammer.
4.1 (unknown launch build)	 	August 21, 2012 	Launch version of 's Hammer.
4.1 (build 8678) 	Alien Swarm 	September 24, 2020 	Latest version for Alien Swarm (as of Jan 28, 2025).
4.1 (build 9324) 	 	May 13, 2022 - Feb 3, 2023 (build date May 5, 2022)	Latest version for (as of Jan 28, 2025).
4.1 (build 9672) 	Portal 2 	April 26, 2023(build date April 18, 2023) 	Latest version for (as of Jan 28, 2025)
4.1 (build 9958) 	Left 4 Dead 2	June 4, 2024(build date Jan 29, 2024) 	Latest version for (as of Jan 28, 2025).
4.1 (build 9969) 	Left 4 Dead 	June 12, 2024</br>(build date Feb 9, 2024) 	Latest version for (as of Jan 28, 2025).
==== FGDs ====
* (FGD)
* (FGD)
* (FGD, with fixed code for func_buyzone and func_bomb_target)
* (FGD)
== See also ==
* Hammer Feature Requests
* Brush
* Entity
* FGD
* RMF, VMF, and MAP
== External links ==
* Offical website (archived)
* Download Hammer 3.4 from Gamebanana 
Category:Glossary	
Category:Valve tools	
Category:Official Tools	
Category:Official Source Tools
Category:Hammer	
Category:Level Design	
Category:Tools