{{Article|rw|good}}
{{Software Infobox
|image=FileHammer splash logo.png|250px
|image2=FileHammer coast screenshot.png|250px
|name=Valve Hammer Editor
|author=Valve Corporation
|developer=Valve Corporation
|date=1996
|programming language=
|operating system=WikipediaWindows 2000|Windows 2000, WikipediaWindows XP|XP, WikipediaWindows Vista|Vista, WikipediaWindows 7|7
|platform=PC
|size=
|language=English
|status=Active
|type=WikipediaLevel editor|Level editor
|license=WikipediaProprietary software|Proprietary
|website=http//developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Main_Page The Valve Developer Community
}}
'''Valve Hammer Editor''', formerly known as '''Worldcraft''' and commonly named '''Hammer''', is Valve Software's map creation program for their game engine, Source. Versions prior to 4 supported exclusively Goldsrc, Source's predecessor. It is freely available to anyone who has purchased a Source based game, as a part of the Source SDK.
The current version is 4.0.
== Overview ==
The Hammer editor is used by level designers to create new maps for Source-based games. It is used to create geometry and to place objects (entities) in the game world. It can also be used to script events in maps, such as Overwatch Soldiers ambushing the player, via manipulation of entities.
The current version of Hammer, 4.0, supports both Source engine and GoldSrc games. However, placing an entity used in only one engine can cause errors. Those that create maps for GoldSrc usually use version 3.5, which is the last version that only supports GoldSrc games.
In order to create a map for a certain game, Hammer must have a special file, called a .fgd file, associated with it. This file tells Hammer what entities the game uses so that it will let the user select them. The .fgd files for official Valve games using the Source engine already come prepackaged into Hammer with the Source SDK, but for the GoldSrc games, the user must add them manually.
Hammer can also be used to compile maps so that they can be played in a game. To do this, Hammer runs the map through three (four in 3.5 and earlier) .exe programs; vbsp.exe, which renders the geometry, vvis.exe, which renders what geometry appears where, and vrad.exe, which renders the lighting. Versions 3.5 and earlier included an additional program, qcsg.exe, which renders the basic outline of the map for vbsp.exe to fill in. In 4.0, this has been merged with vbsp.exe.
==Behind the scenes==
*Hammer originally started out as a paid ''Quake'' level editor named "Worldcraft". During the development of ''Half-Life'' (1997{{LI|pub/ben-morris/0/792/849/|Ben Morris}}), Valve hired Ben Morris, the creator of Worldcraft, and purchased the rights to own the program. They then developed it into the Valve Hammer Editor.http//developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Hammer_Editor_version_history Hammer Editor version history at The Valve Developer Community
*When Hammer was still an independent product, the developer planned on allowing Hammer to edit http//liandri.beyondunreal.com/Unreal ''Unreal'' maps. This never came into fruition because Worldcraft was purchased by Valve before ''Unreal'' came out.
*Hammer's first name was "The Forge", but it was changed because the level editor for the ''http//traxus.bungie.org/index.php/Marathon Marathon'' game series is named "http//traxus.bungie.org/index.php/Forge Forge".
==Trivia==
*Old versions of Hammer also supported ''Quake'' and ''Quake II''. This is because of the similarities between the GoldSrc, ''Quake'' and ''Quake II'' engines.
*With some manipulation, it is possible to make ''Quake'' maps in Hammer 3.3.
*When first launched, the Hammer featured in the playable Development of Half-Life 2 game|''Half-Life 2'' leak plays a 3 seconds WikipediaMusical Instrument Digital Interface|MIDI intro of the song "WikipediaU Can't Touch This|U Can't Touch This" by WikipediaMC Hammer|MC Hammer (named "hamrtime.mid"), an obvious play on the name of the artist, and the infamous sentence featured in the song, "Stop... Hammer time!".
*The icon used for obsolete entities consists of what presumably is the head of a Valve developer pasted on the WikipediaFileFonz Pic.PNG|bust of WikipediaFonzie|Fonzie from the TV sitcom ''WikipediaHappy Days|Happy Days'', with his trademarks thumb up and leather jacket.
==Gallery==
FileWorldcraft first.png|Worldcraft's first logo.
FileWorldcraft_first_text.png|Ditto, with copyright text.
FileWC_Splash_Second.png|Second known Worldcraft logo, with a lambda in place of the A.
FileWorldcraft 1.5.png|Worldcraft's 1.5 logo, which introduced the green hammer encased in a blue stone wall, also used as a new program icon, and still in use in Hammer.
FileWorldcraft 3.3.png|Worldcraft's 3.3 logo.
FileWorldcraft icon.png|Worldcraft's original program icon.
FileHammer icon.png|Hammer's program icon.
FileWc01.jpg|An official screenshot of a pre-release ''Half-Life'' map in Worldcraft 2.0.
FileWc05.jpg|The texture browser.
FileWcscreen1.png
FileWcscreen2.png
FileWcscreen3.png
FileWcscreen4.png
FileWorldcraft-fullsize1.png
FileWorldcraft-fullsize2.png
FileWorldcraft-fullsize3.png
FileWorldcraft-fullsize4.png
FileWorldcraft-fullsize5.png
FileWorldcraft-fullsize6.png
FileError.jpg|The "Error" model", appearing in-game when a model is missing.
FileError blue.jpg|Variant used for ''Portal 2''.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
*http//games.softpedia.com/get/Tools/Valve-Hammer-Editor.shtml Download link for Hammer 3.5
*http//developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Main_Page The Valve Developer Community - official wiki dedicated to editing the Source engine
*http//zhlt.info/ Zoner's Half-Life Tools - alternatives to the compiling tools included with the original Hammer
*http//www.twhl.co.za TWHL - a large, active mapping community with support for both GoldSource and Source engines
*https//web.archive.org/web/19980121101929/http//www.gamecraft.com/ Worldcraft's original website (archive)
{{Games}}
CategoryModding software
