Good points. Thank you.

Great puzzle, really liked the way you gat the companion cube with the piston :D
Some points you should improve :
- Make more visible the fact that a ball button is linked to the exit door, you feel a bit lost and out of options when you placed the 4 cubes and the exit door still don't want to open XD
- Make the more visible the fact that the 3 angled panels are open in the exit area when you are on a specific position of the central switch.
- Also I think the little tunnel at the top of the map is useless : if the idea was to avoid being stuck in the exit area, you may notice that this can never happen as there is fizzlers on the floor level so the player can just walk through and find the open panel to reach the center ^^

It's one thing to not know the solution, but it's another to have all the connections to the exit ticked and not have it open: screenshot After noclipping around, I eventually found the hidden button in the ceiling, that only opens if one particular door is open...

My blindrun: https://www.dropbox.com/s/6y82s9lcesq537s/smokeandmirrors.dem

Really liked this map!
I think the lonely companion cube in the glass cage (bottom center of the preview pic) should be a standard cube, since it won't do the same job as all the others.
I also know there is a way to make the switch MUCH faster, though you will have to resort to a walk-on button instead of a pedestal. But even the pedestal version can be as quick as 3s per press!

While writing this I realized what the vertical light bridge was for AND the white floor tile. I did not use either one, so I recommend moving the faith plate one square to the side.

In your description it says "one laserfield", I count two. ;-)

just re-published again, as it was showing the old version.
new version is working. just played it from list.
steam was telling me their was a problem with my connection.
but when I tested it, it was great.
also on re-starting steam, it said my pc was out of sinc with the steam cloud.
I am getting this a lot & don't know why.

I just re-published it.
you may have to re-start steam, to see the latest version.

Did you take it down? I keep getting an error message and I don't see it in your workshop.

just re-tested.
yes it is a lot quicker :)
I have subscribed to your new map.
mine is below, get access to the funel straight away.
read description recomended.
simple turret problem-death trap
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=115729818

I know what you mean. I've been working on one too and it's been driving me nuts. I hope I worked all the kinks out but I'm still testing.

I only played enough this time to show you how I got the faithplate,
without using the light bridge.
I will re-subscribe, to answer your question, about the updates.
I have been working on a new map. but went way over the item limit.
now I keep finding exploits & other problems, during testing.
their are turrets. it is called:
simple turret problem 12-death trap

Hey that's cool. Learn something new every day. How'd ya like the four position switch? Cut down from eight. Also reduced the size of the switch chamber to speed things up.

fair enough.
as you requested, I made a video for you.
explaning how I got the sphere without the light bridge.
(how to alter your trajectory, from a faithplate)
http://youtu.be/By-yCRv-Xzg
wierd thing is, I am working on a map using your light bridge sollution.
but while on your map, it did not occure to me.
but coming back to it today, it seems obvious.

Thank you my friend. I will try your suggestions. Except for the extra cube. I will allow it for the sake of players who can't figure out how to get it and it really doesn't hurt the gameplay. I wish I knew how you got the sphere without using the lightbridge. See ya round the workshop.

just had a look at your gate system, with noclip.
you can increase the spead more, if you want.
by moving the funels closer to the buttons.
their only has to be 1 tile gap, between them.
& they can both occupy part of that gap.
just make sure the cube dropper is still aligned.
hope this helps :)

just did again.
been a while since doing this map.
so I can't judge the difference in speed, when cycling through the pedestal button.
did not know what the long light bridge was for. so did not use it.
(used the short, essential one to exit)
suggest an extra button in the middle. as extra cube from behind glass, can then be used.
unless you wan't to leave, in case some can't do it ?

Major edit on the switching mechanism. Should be a lot quicker. Enjoy.

yes :}

I've been thinking that the game is slowed considerably by having to press that button so many times to get to what you want. I think I'll cut down on the number of positions on the switch so you can cycle through quicker. Does that seem like a good idea?

Yeah it's a little hard to see through all those fizzler/laser fields. Glad you enjoyed it. Just finished your new game. You did a real fine job. Especially with the turrets. Not too many but very strategically placed. Had great fun with it.

daloboy just been laughing at your video with the franken cube.
as I said, on top form.

good map.
I could not make out all the different things that were activated, by the pedestal button.
but obviously made out enough, to solve it:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=114422597
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=114422407
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=114422305
sneaky hidden sphere button. glad I brought it along.
I see daloboy is on top form.
what was with the 1st light bridge ?
oh, I do have my share of bad days, I thought I was traped in the area with the piston.
I have seen that mechanic at least twice before.
once on geneosis's map.
enjoyable map, good ideas, good design with central area & that poor overworked pedestal button.
thumbs up

did somebody mention my name ? :)
be carefull what you say.
you never know who's listening.
oh,
it's me :)

You're right! The first time I say that, it was mood3rd! He affects all of us! Had fun doing it!

You remind me of mood3rd. He will bring cubes to the exit that I didn't think was possible. So much so that if I didn't know better I'd think he brought them from another map. Anyway, I tried your way and it was a cool idea but I really don't think a lot of people would be able to figure it out. Also if I took one cube out it be possible to get stranded in there. I think I'll leave it. Thanks again and I'll see you round the workshop.

Sorry TW (not really)! Did it again, but had to think more! Here's how, for your next update! Liked the new use of sphere! Of course, one's you've seen it, I can delete it!

I got rid of the extra stuff. I wish you guys would try it again and let me know how I did.

I haven't spent that long on a puzzle for a long time! Maybe I was just over thinking it. Like daloboy I was stuck in the same room thinking the level was broken, but his comment assured me that it wasn't. Like most of your levels, I really like some of the unique and creative elements in it! Well done! I agree though, the ball and extra cube aren't needed to solve the level and I don't even think it makes it easier to have them in there.

Thanks my friend. You're the first to play it so I figured someone would find something for me to work on. Hope you enjoyed it.

At first, I had no idea of to get out of this one! Then it hit me!!! And I think you can take out one cube! Really nice automation with just one pedestal!