Do you perfer to just start throwing pieces together? Start with a segment and build around it? Build a bland and basic map and then start fleshing it out? Most of the time i'll start off with sketch, but it never turns out the way i want it too, with a few exceptions in the past.
I watched a video a few years back of Steve Vai explaining how one of his most famous songs started as a sung melody, which was one of the main reasons that the track is so beautiful and un-guitar like. He went on to explain that if you write music with your mind instead of your fingers, you won't be limited by your tendencies or technical abilities. I think the same thing can be related to creating a 3d space. If you picture encounters/lines of sight/aesthetics/atmosphere in your head before building, you won't be limited by your habits or inherent boundaries of a relatively weak editor like forge. Once you have an image that you want to recreate, just focus on it until it becomes implanted in your brain, then start forging. You will quickly realize that not everything can be copied from the image in your head perfectly, but that's okay. Compromise will have to be made, but if you follow through, you will have something that pushes the limits of both your creative ability and forge itself. Also, if you ever get discouraged, just think back on the image that was exciting and interesting enough to warrant starting a new map, and you'll find yourself as inspired as ever.
For me, it always starts off with a vision, one that when executed rarely lives up to my expectations. Is that normal though? I guess that's what i'm realy curious about, like i have a binder full of sketches, most of which have been attempted to bring to life, and scraped in the end. Being extremely excited only to realise it wasn't as cool as what you though it was over and over again gets tire some
I think the ability to recreate the image in your mind well is skill apart from map design entirely. Another good comparison between music and forge would be the "technicality vs feel" paradigm. The better you get at your instrument, the more tools you have at your disposal to express yourself. The same can be for forge. Once you are experienced enough, you can create the images in your head fairly accurately. Like I said before, there will have to be compromises, but enough effort will yield results. Not every Idea will become a map. However, as soon as your map is starting to feel unsatisfactory, focus on the original vision that excited you. If you still don't find yourself inspired, move on or take a break.
It probably varies depending upon who you ask, since everyone has a different process. I like starting with blockouts because it allows me to test the basic functionality of a design before investing hours in the visuals. Adjustments are infinitely easier to make when you're working with basic structures (compared to a version with lots of detail), so it saves a lot of time if adjustments are needed to vertical and horizontal scaling, lines of sight, pathing, etc.
Imma have to say I dont really do blockouts I fiddle around with objects in forge until I craft a really cool small play space then I build based on that pieces theme and craft the level based on my few fundimental rules . I let the pieces create my vision then build off that vision! --- Double Post Merged, May 14, 2017 --- I should probably do that
Yes, that is very normal. Making a sketch is a good way to keep track of an idea, but it tells you nothing about how to use Forge to bring that idea to life. The truth is simple, in order to get the best out of your maps, you need to know how to get the best out of Forge. It doesn't sound to me like Blockouts are at the root of your problem. I hate to say it, but it sounds like you made a classic rookie mistake. You got too focused on what you should make instead of what you can make. It’s just Forger's block. The only advice I can give you is what has worked for me in the past. Try forging a map that you don't really want to play on. When you only make maps for yourself, it’s easy to get disappointed. On the other hand, if you make a map that is designed to be a disappointment, how can you go wrong? If I were you, I'd build a ship. It’s super easy, it’s a clearly defined goal, and there's almost no wrong way to do it. The point is, if you can make a decent map for a game that you wouldn't normally want to play, then you know your technique is developed enough to start making big kid maps.