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Each level within the ''Portal'' series consists of '''surfaces'''. Typically, a [[Portals|portal]] can be placed upon any light-colored flat surface, whereas an uneven or dark surface cannot be used in this way. In this way, the placement and location of portal-conductive surfaces is a fundamental design choice, and determines the way in which the puzzle(s) need to be solved.


Each level within the ''Portal'' series consists of '''surfaces'''. Typically, a [[Portals|portal]] can be placed upon any light-colored flat surface, whereas an uneven or dark surface cannot be used in this way. In this way, the placement and location of portal-conductive surfaces is a fundamental design choice, and determines the way in which the puzzle(s) need to be solved.
In some [[Test Chambers|Test Chambers]], surfaces are blocked by doors or other obstacles, or must be [[Button|activated]] before a portal can be placed upon them. In ''[[Portal 2]]'', the only way to overcome some puzzles that lack portal-conductive surfaces is through the use of [[Gels]].  
 
In some Test Chambers, surfaces are blocked by doors or other obstacles, or must be [[Button|activated]] before a portal can be placed upon them. In ''[[Portal 2]]'', the only way to overcome some puzzles that lack portal-conductive surfaces is through the use of [[Gels]].


== Appearance ==
== Appearance ==
=== ''Portal'' ===
=== ''Portal'' ===
[[image:portal1_portal_surface.png|170px|left|border]]
[[image:portal1_portal_surface.png|170px|left|border]]
[[image:portal1_portal_bts_surface.png|170px|left|border]]
==== Portal-able ====
==== Portal-able ====
Portal-able surfaces in ''Portal'' are white plates that seem to be made of some kind of stone. They are easy to tell apart from dark surfaces.
Within the [[test chambers]], portal-able surfaces take on the appearance of concrete slabs and tiles. Aside from a few alternate color choices, all of the wall surfaces are identical in size. The "behind the scenes" areas of the game feature the same slabs, only looking more worn down and orange tinted; tiled floors are replaced with solid concrete flooring.
{{Clr}}
{{Clr}}
[[image:portal1_no_portal_surface.png|170px|right|border]]
[[image:portal1_no_portal_surface.png|170px|right|border]]
[[image:portal1_no_portal_bts_surface.png|170px|right|border]]
==== Non-portal-able ====
==== Non-portal-able ====
Non-portal-able surfaces in ''Portal'' are made out of dark brown/black metal plates that reflect the light slightly. Valve has chosen this design because the darkness and the shininess properties of the material are easy to spot from a distance.
Non-portal-able surfaces in the test chambers of ''Portal'' are made up of metallic dark brown, blackish cubes and squares. It's stated in the ''Commentary Mode'' of the game that this design choice was made because it made the material easy to spot from a distance. Metallic flooring is a lighter color.
 
The "behind the scenes" areas have rougher metallic walls as well as less smooth metal flooring when present.  
{{Clr}}
{{Clr}}
=== Portal 2 ===
=== Portal 2 ===
[[image:portal2_portal_surface.png|170px|left|border]]
[[image:portal2_portal_surface.png|170px|left|border]]
[[image:portal2_portal_old_surface.png|170px|left|border]]
==== Portal-able ====
==== Portal-able ====
The portal-able surfaces in ''Portal 2'' seem to be the a slightly dirtier version of those seen in ''Portal''. {{spoiler|This could be because [[Aperture Science]] withered in the time between ''Portal'' and ''Portal 2''.}}
Being constructed out of [[panels]], the portal-able surfaces in the test chambers (whether during the {{spoiler|reconstruction phase at the beginning of the game or during Wheatley's takeover towards the end}}), tend to be white in appearance (rather than gray as in Portal) to contrast better with the updated metallic textures.
 
In Old Aperture, portal-able surfaces with often feature a checker-board pattern.  
{{Clr}}
{{Clr}}
[[image:portal2_no_portal_surface.png|170px|right|border]]
[[image:portal2_no_portal_surface.png|170px|right|border]]
[[image:portal2_no_portal_old_surface.png|170px|right|border]]
==== Non-portal-able ====
==== Non-portal-able ====
The non-portal-able surfaces in ''Portal 2'' don't have any 3D effect or shininess like the ones in ''Portal''.
The non-portal-able surfaces in ''Portal 2'' don't have any 3D effect or shininess like the ones in ''Portal''. They've been changed from a bronze-like color to black with grey lines to better contrast with the updated portal-able textures.
 
In Old Aperture, non-portal-able surfaces can include a variety of materials including green, black, brown metals and wood.  
{{Clr}}
{{Clr}}


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* [[Repulsion Gel]] is a blue gel that bounces a player or object away from the surface.
* [[Repulsion Gel]] is a blue gel that bounces a player or object away from the surface.
* [[Propulsion Gel]] is an orange gel that removes/reduces friction on the surface on which it is applied, allowing players to move on it at high speeds.
* [[Propulsion Gel]] is an orange gel that removes/reduces friction on the surface on which it is applied, allowing players to move on it at high speeds.
* [[Conversion Gel]] is a white gel that allows portals to be placed on surfaces that portals normally cannot be placed.


* [[Conversion Gel]] is a white gel that allows portals to be placed on surfaces that portals normally cannot be placed.
== Trivia ==
* Glass, despite being a flat surface in-game, automatically repels both Portals and Gels.
** As a result of this, glass panels are often used in [[Aperture Tag: The Paint Gun Testing Initiative]] as a way to limit gel usage and flesh out puzzles, in much the same way as non-portal-able surfaces are used in the official series.


{{MechanicsNav}}
[[Category:Mechanics]]
[[Category:Gameplay]]
[[Category:Gameplay]]

Latest revision as of 20:02, 15 April 2023

Each level within the Portal series consists of surfaces. Typically, a portal can be placed upon any light-colored flat surface, whereas an uneven or dark surface cannot be used in this way. In this way, the placement and location of portal-conductive surfaces is a fundamental design choice, and determines the way in which the puzzle(s) need to be solved.

In some Test Chambers, surfaces are blocked by doors or other obstacles, or must be activated before a portal can be placed upon them. In Portal 2, the only way to overcome some puzzles that lack portal-conductive surfaces is through the use of Gels.

Appearance

Portal

Portal1 portal surface.png
Portal1 portal bts surface.png

Portal-able

Within the test chambers, portal-able surfaces take on the appearance of concrete slabs and tiles. Aside from a few alternate color choices, all of the wall surfaces are identical in size. The "behind the scenes" areas of the game feature the same slabs, only looking more worn down and orange tinted; tiled floors are replaced with solid concrete flooring.

Portal1 no portal surface.png
Portal1 no portal bts surface.png

Non-portal-able

Non-portal-able surfaces in the test chambers of Portal are made up of metallic dark brown, blackish cubes and squares. It's stated in the Commentary Mode of the game that this design choice was made because it made the material easy to spot from a distance. Metallic flooring is a lighter color.

The "behind the scenes" areas have rougher metallic walls as well as less smooth metal flooring when present.

Portal 2

Portal2 portal surface.png
Portal2 portal old surface.png

Portal-able

Being constructed out of panels, the portal-able surfaces in the test chambers (whether during the reconstruction phase at the beginning of the game or during Wheatley's takeover towards the end), tend to be white in appearance (rather than gray as in Portal) to contrast better with the updated metallic textures.

In Old Aperture, portal-able surfaces with often feature a checker-board pattern.

Portal2 no portal surface.png
Portal2 no portal old surface.png

Non-portal-able

The non-portal-able surfaces in Portal 2 don't have any 3D effect or shininess like the ones in Portal. They've been changed from a bronze-like color to black with grey lines to better contrast with the updated portal-able textures.

In Old Aperture, non-portal-able surfaces can include a variety of materials including green, black, brown metals and wood.

Gels

Main article: Gels

Introduced in Portal 2, Gels can be applied on most surfaces in order to modify its attributes. There are 3 Gels which can be applied:

  • Repulsion Gel is a blue gel that bounces a player or object away from the surface.
  • Propulsion Gel is an orange gel that removes/reduces friction on the surface on which it is applied, allowing players to move on it at high speeds.
  • Conversion Gel is a white gel that allows portals to be placed on surfaces that portals normally cannot be placed.

Trivia

  • Glass, despite being a flat surface in-game, automatically repels both Portals and Gels.
    • As a result of this, glass panels are often used in Aperture Tag: The Paint Gun Testing Initiative as a way to limit gel usage and flesh out puzzles, in much the same way as non-portal-able surfaces are used in the official series.