Togglable Precipation/Snow?

[NeonHeights]

Is anyone aware of any entities/methods of creating snow that can be turned on/off or atleast set to 0 with an Alpha input? The wiki states that the func_precipitation entity accepts an Alpha input but i tried multiple times and its not working.

Im trying to make an area of a map that has snow that can be turned on/off via a relay. Func_dustmotes unfortunately do not have an option that forces them to spawn from a certain area otherwise I would use it to "mimic" snow with particles.

Is func_precipitation really my only option? The only option right now that I can see is to parent a func_precipitation to a func_door and have it move thousands of blocks away from the main area so it is no longer visible. But obviously this is not pretty or what I would like to do.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

EDIT: Nevermind to the above option, the entity refuses to even compile properly when you parent it to anything.. that option is out now as well

 

[Fruity Snacks]

You can use particles of rain/snow and just Start/Stop the particles.

(That is, have an input to them with the Start or Stop command)

 

[NeonHeights]

You can use particles of rain/snow and just Start/Stop the particles.

(That is, have an input to them with the Start or Stop command)

Yes but that would mean id need to find & fit custom snow particles. The area to-which im trying to apply the snow is very particular. There are inside buildings and if there are any good snow particles out there, I wouldnt be able to morph them around the buildings like I could with a func_precipitation brush so that the snow doesnt appear to be falling indoors (which is unrealistic obviously).

The particle would be a specific size and im 99.9% sure it would not be the correct dimensions to fit exactly in the right spot in my map and avoid the 'weather indoors' trouble.

 

[Izotope]

Alternatively try to enter the entity's name in a point_template, then use the ForceSpawn input, assuming precipation can be named.
Not sure if that works, but it's worth a shot.

 

[tyler]

It sounds like what you need are custom particles because the existing ones don't fit your layout? I think the only thing to do is dive into the particle editor and try to solve that, or get someone else to.

 

[Fruity Snacks]

It sounds like what you need are custom particles because the existing ones don't fit your layout? I think the only thing to do is dive into the particle editor and try to solve that, or get someone else to.

This is probably your best bet. We have a lot of different particles around the map over in the downloads section. Conversly, if you make a request for what you exactly need (and relative sizes) someone could make one for you.

 

[NeonHeights]

It sounds like what you need are custom particles because the existing ones don't fit your layout? I think the only thing to do is dive into the particle editor and try to solve that, or get someone else to.

Ultimately I was just looking for a simple way to enable/disable a brush based precipitation system. But after hearing what you guys are saying and looking at some other threads I think tf2 is really not built properly for snow.. I may have to end up using particles anyways.

 

[NeonHeights]

Alternatively try to enter the entity's name in a point_template, then use the ForceSpawn input, assuming precipation can be named.
Not sure if that works, but it's worth a shot.

It 'can' be named, its kinda buggy though. I think naming it only messes up the entity further.

If you tie the named brush to any entity/relay chain (such as the point_template that youre referring too) the brush refuses to compile and appears invisible when the map is loaded. Plus you get a "Couldn't find any entities named SnowFall, which point_template SnowFall_Template is specifying." message in the console when trying to force spawn it