env_cubemap

[elwolvo]

Hi,
When I was looking tutorials, many people make the entity env_cubemap.

They say something about it makes the map look better, but I don't understand it.
Can someone explain me what it really does and where/how many I should put them.
Thanks

[john88z]

Place it 64 units above the ground in the center of every room. Then compile your map and in your console type buildcubemaps
Then restart the game.

What it does is it takes 6 pictures (up, down, left, right, front, back) And stores them in the games .bsp. It basically makes shiny textures reflect, makes your veiwmodel (hands and weapon) reflect the lighting around you, and makes everything look 10000x nicer, they are in every valve map, and recommended for every map.

[elwolvo]

Ok this really helped me, thanks

[mrbecker]

do i put the center of it 64 units up or the bottom 64 units up?

[Zeph]

center....

doesn't really matter though. So long as it's roughly central to the room.

64 units is "head height" so to get reflections looking best from your character, 64 units is ideal for eye-level reflections.