Noob asset question

.GrinderRobot said:

How can you tell if a prop/texture/whatever is from TF2? Can I filter out all non-TF2 textures somehow (easy enough for props)?

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hi there and welcome to the community!

The easiest way to do that is open up "browse" textures and in the middle bottom drop down Keywords area type in "tf".

It will filter to only show textures from TF2. in the "filters" area now you can type stuff such as "rocks, wall, floor" etc.

you "can" use HL2 textures in a TF2 map however it is kinda looked down against because it does not fit the TF2 theme and looks highly out of place.

But a note on this:
Some textures that you may need to use are not under the tf category, such as tool textures (nodraw, sky, trigger, etc). Also some signs are not in the tf category either.

Also make sure you dont use any prop textures, they will look like "props/wood107" or something like that in the texture browser. These textures will give you lighting issues.

I find it a good idea to just use whatever Valve uses if I'm unsure of which texture I should use, since they only have TF2 textures in their maps. Just download some decompiled Valve maps and look around until you find something that looks nice, and use that.

A note:

Valve have been known to use hl2 textures on occasions, on objects that are too far away to tell the textures thematic style or on an area so small it's negligable and easily overlooked ingame. HL textures will show up for anyone using just the orange box, all the materials are included.

The bottom line is as long as it's not photo realistic, with a smoothed appearence, you're ok. But do stick with the TF textures as much as possible. That means 99% of the time.

and as Chrono said, you'll need to use the hl2 dev textures which can be found by typing in "tools/" into your word filter.

P.S.
I believe there is a thread floating about referencing TF2 textures that are not filed under the TF keyword catagory in the texture browser, but i think there's only about 5 excluding poster/signage textures.

I think I have actually seen one model texture that's ok to use, and valve have used it liberally. Models/hazardstrip001a or something like that. It's the yellow and black stripes, which they sometimes switch out for the typical one that looks more like tape.

Do you mean decals/hazardstrip001a (whatever it's exactly called)? -- the typical one(s) that look more like tape are in overlays/.