i figured it out. its a light_environment problem, playing with the settings now. any suggestions on right settings? thanks for the advice spaceweasels
No problem. Here's the suggested settings, depending on the skymap, from the VAlve Develper Wiki:
sky_well_01
Ideal Sun Angle 0 300 0
Ideal Sun Pitch -35
Ideal Brightness 248 197 139 400
Ideal Ambience 142 154 182 200
sky_tf2_04
Ideal Sun Angle 0 145 0
Ideal Sun Pitch -45
Ideal Brightness 216 207 194 700
Ideal Ambience 200 202 230 60
sky_hydro_01
Ideal Sun Angle 0 51 0
Ideal Sun Pitch -37
Ideal Brightness 244 215 193 750
Ideal Ambience 156 178 255 250
sky_dustbowl_01
Ideal Sun Angle 0 30 0
Ideal Sun Pitch -25
Ideal Brightness 254 210 152 800
Ideal Ambience 151 135 180 420
sky_granary_01
Ideal Sun Angle 0 130 0
Ideal Sun Pitch -15
Ideal Brightness 255 226 196 500
Ideal Ambience 116 113 149 300
sky_gravel_01
Ideal Sun Angle 0 167 0
Ideal Sun Pitch -32
Ideal Brightness 250 216 146 850
Ideal Ambience 106 134 174 500
*Note: I think the 2Fort skymap has a typo. I would suggest 260 instead of 60 for ambience.