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Hammer++

ficool2.github.io

Free plan WindowsLinux
Visit ficool2.github.io
Spec score 8.5 #5 of 28 in Game Level Editors

What it is

Hammer++ is a free Windows modification of Valve’s Hammer editor for creating maps in the Source engine. It aims to improve stability and keep the editor current through fixes and changes. It can simulate Source lighting inside the editor, with adjustable quality and speed and dynamic updates, and preview particles, fog, skyboxes, rope physics, render effects, and material proxies. Mapping tools include a 3D gizmo, polygon and sprinkle tools, multiple cordons, brush merging, and object placement on floors or ceilings. If the editor crashes, it shows a detailed error message and autosaves open VMF files. Saved VMFs retain precise vertex data while also storing less precise data for compilers and compatibility with other Hammer versions. Downloads bundle HLMV++, which can be installed optionally. The download page lists build 8871, last updated April 14, 2026. The maker directs users to its official Discord for discussion and says the project is not affiliated with Valve. It also notes antivirus software sometimes flags downloads and advises allowing them or adding an exception. The old Source 2013 Multiplayer version is unsupported, and CS:GO support is frozen on build 8864.

Spec sheet

What it does
Hammer++ is a free, extensive modification of Valve’s Hammer editor for creating Source-engine levels, focused on stability, bug fixes and modern-editor improvements.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Purpose
Hammer++ is a free modification of Valve’s Hammer editor for the Source engine, intended to be more stable and up to date, with bug fixes and improvements.Read 28 Sep 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Integrations
The download page says HLMV++ is bundled with downloads and can be optionally installed.Read 28 Sep 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Support
The maker directs users to the official Discord to discuss Hammer++.Read 28 Sep 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Antivirus issue
The maker says downloads are sometimes marked as malware by antivirus software and advises allowing them or adding an exception.Read 28 Sep 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Branch compatibility
Separate downloads exist for different Source branches, and the site warns that choosing the wrong branch prevents startup.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Bundled companion
HLMV++, a model viewer, is bundled with downloads but is optional to install.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Compatibility limits
The page says the old Source 2013 Multiplayer version is unsupported and CS:GO support is frozen on build 8864.Read 28 Sep 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Compile workflow
Compilation runs in a separate command window so the editor no longer freezes during compiling.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Crash recovery
If Hammer++ crashes, it displays a detailed error message and autosaves open VMF files.Read 28 Sep 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Current build
The download page lists build 8872, last updated October 1, 2026.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Download status
The download page lists build 8871, last updated April 14, 2026.Read 28 Sep 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Editing tools
It adds a 3D gizmo, adjustable pivot, polygon and sprinkle tools, real-time vertex editing, three-point clipping, brush merging and surface movement tools.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
File compatibility
Hammer++ saves precise vertex data in VMF files while also saving imprecise data for compilers and compatibility with other Hammer versions.Read 28 Sep 2026 · ficool2.github.io
GPU requirements
VRAD++ GPU acceleration requires at least an Nvidia RTX 2000-series, AMD RX 6000-series or Radeon 680M+, or Intel Arc A-series GPU with Vulkan 1.3 drivers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Independent complaint: camera controls
A Mapcore reviewer reported that arrow keys could not rotate the 3D camera as in vanilla Hammer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · mapcore.org
Independent complaint: missing asset filters
A Mapcore reviewer missed a used-assets-only filter and model usage counts in the model browser.Read 15 Oct 2026 · mapcore.org
Independent complaint: texture scaling
A Mapcore user found that stretching brushes also stretched their textures, requiring frequent face-edit adjustments until texture lock was discovered.Read 15 Oct 2026 · mapcore.org
Independent Linux experience
A Reddit Linux guide reports Hammer++ can run through Proton, with working lighting, compilation, custom assets, logic and 3D view, but buggy and laggy 2D and texture-browser interfaces.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Independent popularity claim
A Steam Community overview described Hammer++ as making Source level creation significantly faster and demonstrated model, skybox, particle, fog, rope, gizmo and lighting features.Read 15 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
Independent praise: lighting
Mapcore users repeatedly praised the lighting preview as useful for making lighting changes without compiling and liked the skybox preview.Read 15 Oct 2026 · mapcore.org
Independent praise: modern manipulation
Mapcore reviewers highlighted the 3D gizmo for translating, rotating and resizing objects and welcomed the broader quality-of-life improvements.Read 15 Oct 2026 · mapcore.org
Independent product description
BSPMarket describes Hammer++ as a free ficool2-developed Valve Hammer extension with separate builds for Garry’s Mod, Team Fortress 2 and Portal 2.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bspmarket.de
Independent setup guidance
Momentum Mod documentation recommends the Garry’s Mod build as easier to configure and says the CS:GO setup needs more tools and disk space.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.momentum-mod.org
Independent setup limit
Momentum Mod’s CS:GO setup guide estimates about 32 GB of disk space depending on mounted games.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.momentum-mod.org
Installation
Installation instructions are supplied in README.txt inside each download, and updates are installed by overwriting the existing files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Keybind limits
The keybind editor cannot assign mouse bindings, and modifier keys may not work for every binding.Read 28 Sep 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Keybinding limitation
The keybind editor cannot assign mouse bindings, and modifier keys may not work for every binding.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Known Windows issue
Some Windows versions can freeze on the File Open dialog; the documented workaround disables FileDialogHack in hammerplusplus_settings.ini.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Licence and source availability
The maker states Hammer++ will not be open source because he is licensed under Valve; code may be provided to licensees of other Source mods.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Lighting preview
The editor provides configurable, dynamically updating Source lighting previews inside the 3D view.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Maker affiliation
The site says Hammer++ is not affiliated with Valve Corporation.Read 28 Sep 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Maker identity
The official credits identify ficool2 as programmer, with contributions from Izotope, DarviL, SCell555 and others.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Mapping tools
Features include a 3D gizmo, polygon and sprinkle tools, multiple cordons, brush merging and object placement on floors or ceilings.Read 28 Sep 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Model and texture tools
Hammer++ adds upgraded model, particle and texture browsers, including wildcard and negated filtering in the model browser.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Particle and effects previews
The feature set includes previews for particles, fog controllers, material proxies, render effects and ropes with simulated physics.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Precision and recovery
The editor stores precise brush vertex data to reduce drift and automatically saves open VMF files after a crash while showing detailed error information.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Recent changelog
Build 8872 fixed crashes after Team Fortress 2 and Counter-Strike: Source updates, added OGG playback, improved Wine compatibility and enabled four-way blends by default for Garry’s Mod.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Security warning
The maker says some antivirus products may flag downloads as malware and recommends allowing the files or adding an exception.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Skybox previews
It previews both 2D skyboxes and 3D skyboxes directly in the map view.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Tools++ compilers
The companion Tools++ package includes VBSP++, VVIS++, VRAD++, BSPZIP++ and StudioMDL++ for higher limits, faster compiling, multithreaded compression and improved warnings.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Tools++ platforms
Tools++ downloads are offered for Windows and Linux and can be extracted as standalone programs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Tools++ redistribution
Redistributing the map compilers in a Source mod requires permission from the maker.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Unsupported branches
The old Source 2013 Multiplayer build is marked unsupported, and the CS:GO build is frozen at build 8864 and unsupported.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Valve relationship
The project explicitly says it is not affiliated with Valve Corporation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io
Visual previews
The editor can preview particles, fog, skyboxes, rope physics, render effects and material proxies.Read 28 Sep 2026 · ficool2.github.io

Plans and prices

Hammer++ Free Source-engine level editing · branch-specific builds · Windows download Read 15 Oct 2026 · ficool2.github.io

Every Hammer++ plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free modification of Hammer for the Source engine.
  • Previews lighting, particles, fog, and other effects.
  • Crash recovery autosaves open VMF files.
  • Includes mapping tools such as cordons and brush merging.
  • Downloads bundle optional HLMV++.

Limits

  • Runs on Windows only.
  • Keybind editor cannot assign mouse bindings.
  • Modifier keys may not work for every binding.
  • Source 2013 Multiplayer is unsupported.

Who it suits

It suits Windows users making maps for the Source engine who want lighting and visual previews in the editor. Check the stated compatibility limits if working with Source 2013 Multiplayer or CS:GO.

Verdict

Hammer++ offers a range of Source mapping tools, visual previews, and crash recovery at no cost. Its keybind limits and stated compatibility exclusions are worth checking before use.

Where Specifiction places it

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