How to create a fake antline ?

This guide explains a bug (a feature ?) that I have discovered that let you create a fake antline in any Portal 2 puzzle...

Introduction

This is something very simple to do, a bit weird. Try it yourself : open a new map in the editor and in a few seconds you will get your fake antline.

Explanations ahead.

What are we talking about ?

What is a fake antline ? It is either an antline connected only to an object and no button or an antline connected only to a button and no object. While the first one is only decorative, the second one can be really helpful (I'll explain why later).
Here are the two types of fake antlines :

The creation

To create a fake antline you will have to connect a button and an object while deleting one of them. In order to do that, place your two elements, then left-click on the one you want to delete, press "K" then"Delete" and finally left-click on the other one. You will have an antline that is only connected to one object.

Sum up :

• Left-click on the first element
  
• Press "K"
  
• Press "Delete"
  
• Left-click on the second element

The problem of these antlines

There is a problem with these type of antlines though. A problem that won't let you make a lot of them in the same map.
This is going to get a bit technical, watch the video after reading to clarify everything.
When you create such an antline, which is only connected to one element, the game will be searching for the other element. Because it can't find it, it will assume that the antline is badly positionned and will try to change the shape of it (as if it was trying to reach the missing object by another way). For that reason, because there is only a limited amount of antline configurations (eight exactly), after having tried every single one, the game will assume that the missing object is not reachable by antlines and will replace your antline by a symbol.
The game tries a new antline configuration each time you modify the puzzle and because of that you can only create a maximum of four fake antlines in the same map.

Watch the video to understand it better :

What can I do with these ?

With fake antlines, you can add for example a roleplay touch to your map. I have created a puzzle some time ago that uses this feature : http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=327443193 The antline in the first room is a fake one and the button will actually trigger the piston platform with a hidden mechanism after you've solved the second room (i.e. repaired the elevator).

This video shows you how to do it :

Conclusion

Remember that it is a very simple trick to do, but if you want to add a fake antline to your map, you must do it at the very end because every modification after that will risk to turn the antline into a sign (which you obviously don't want).

And don't add a fake antline just to make a puzzle harder and confusing, add it to make it more interesting or roleplay !

I hope you enjoyed this guide, if that's the case here's the link to another one I wrote about a cube dropper glitch I have discovered : http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=393881288
Don't forget to visit my workshop

Feedback is appreciated ! :)

[LittleNinja]

I used this to make a laser connect to a light strip! Do this normally with a pedestal button being the object you delete. Now put a light strip in it's place! An example is in this dumb concept map I made: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2178808365

[Ribs]

I made the button connect to a button by using this trick! Thanks for sharing! :)

[FranticShooter]

I didn't even know how to make a Legit Antline, Much less a fake!

[KebaSnaek]

Hey, you could also do it via a moving platform at 90 degrees and a button or whatver underneath it. As long as you make it so you can never open the "hatch", the antline will appear to go nowhere.

[Yuuubi]

I'll make sure to try that one :)

[cyhborg]

thanks, i've used your trick in my map "on and off". looks way neater now.

[wildgoosespeeder]

I'll reference your guide in my antline guide. This may be useful.

[Yuuubi]

Wow thanks for the information :) I just tried and and it is pretty fun xD Putting various big observation rooms causes weird lighting bugs...

[local_cass]

There's another cool glitch with exit and entry doors, and big observation rooms, and it only involves 2 steps!
1. highlight one of the 3 items
2. press C
and you've copied it!

[cheesebUrger]

Oops.. Wrong comment. I was repling to Yuubi. I haven''t checked my comments in a while....