Moving Platforms and Trains

Making  a moving  platforms  is an interesting
way to add dynamic elements within your map.
From  simple  obstacles  to  having  access  to 
remote  areas  of  an  environment.


For this tutorial I've started out with a basic room with
life sucking acid between two platforms.  The objective
will  be  to create a  moving platform  so that one could
traverse  this  peril and reach the other side.   Let's go!


   

Start by making your moving platform with a basic brush 
that  a player  could  stand on.  It doesn't matter where it's
located  just  so  long  as  it's  in  the  room.  Place  another
small   brush  in  the  center  of  the  platform   as  pictured
below and  cover  it  with  the  'origin'   texture found in the
common  folder.   Select  both  brushes  and right-click on
the  2D  window  and  choose  ' func_train '.   Deselect  and 
then  right-click  on  the  2D  window  and  choose   ' path/
path_corner '.  You'll see a square box  with  an  arrow  on
one  side.  This  is  where  your platform will start so when
positioning this entity make sure it's height and distance
from any other brush will fit properly.  


    

If you were to compile the map at this point the platform 
would  not  be  visible.  You  have  to point it toward a path
corner before it will be visible.  Now let's connect it to the
next path corner and get this baby movin'.