My game scenarios rely on a convincing player walk, with footsteps sounds for different terrain, realistic walk speed, and realistic camera movement. I want to be this guy (girl) first person! I'm getting closer but have difficulty putting all together, especially camera bob (movement) to match with animation footsteps.
Scripting still difficult, but thanks to AUM, and others! I'm a modeler, not a scripter . . .

Even though I'm still new , I can offer advice on how I would do it.

For different terrain detection, I would try creating invisible low polygon entities over different terrain that will control camera shake movement variables, walking speed vars & sound upon collision or detection.

Thanks kmega99, good idea. I'm hoping I can figure out a consistent method for perpetual walking camera shake, but this would be useful for special conditions or surfaces.

I dont suggest models, you can use look at pixel_for_bmap, with it, you could use an additional surface texture/mask for your terrains, then with calculations, find the position on that mask that the player would fall, that returns the pixel color, then use that to determine what effects you want, with this you pretty much unlimited control over as many terrain surfaces as you want

I think theres an include file called terrain.c or something similar in which you can find the functions for getting the position the player is in relation to the mask

Thanks! This has given me a lot to think about. I'd better do my homework, but before I go, is there a simple way/instruction to get the first person camera to bob up and down in time to a player's walk? I apologize for being stupid, but there's got to be something simple I can't find . An example would really help.

var camera_bob = 0;
...
in your player action:

camera_bob += 10*(key_w || key_s || key_a || key_d)*time_step; // assuming you have WASD movement
camera_bob %= 360;
vec_set(camera.x,player.x);
camera.z = player.z+player.max_z*0.75+10*sinv(camera_bob); // you can try different values here
...

Much obliged, Superku! This is precisely what I was looking for. You're correct, I do need to go back to the beginning for many things, but thanks for your helping hand anyway.