The motivation behind this list is pretty straightforward:
So here we go.
The idea here is to list all those obscure tricks that are super useful in VERY specific situations, the kind you’ll probably forget for years, and then out of nowhere, you’ll run into a problem where one of them would be perfect… but you won’t remember how to do it.
Naturally, you’ll ask if anyone knows, and if you’re lucky, someone will help. I’ve been through this so many times. So, I think it’s time to put all these tricks into an easy-to-find list (instead of them just disappearing into some Discord channel).
Now, the best thing about obscure tricks is that… well, they’re obscure. Yeah, go figure. I don’t remember many examples myself, but I know they’re out there. So, I’m gonna need some help filling up this list, that’s where you come in.
I’ll try to keep this list as organized as possible, sorting things into categories, adding images and all that. Links to resources are fine too, but let’s try to keep it focused on stuff that isn’t obvious.
VDC wiki page with more details
So here we go.
The idea here is to list all those obscure tricks that are super useful in VERY specific situations, the kind you’ll probably forget for years, and then out of nowhere, you’ll run into a problem where one of them would be perfect… but you won’t remember how to do it.
Naturally, you’ll ask if anyone knows, and if you’re lucky, someone will help. I’ve been through this so many times. So, I think it’s time to put all these tricks into an easy-to-find list (instead of them just disappearing into some Discord channel).
Now, the best thing about obscure tricks is that… well, they’re obscure. Yeah, go figure. I don’t remember many examples myself, but I know they’re out there. So, I’m gonna need some help filling up this list, that’s where you come in.
If you’ve got any suggestions or ideas, please share them with us!
I’ll try to keep this list as organized as possible, sorting things into categories, adding images and all that. Links to resources are fine too, but let’s try to keep it focused on stuff that isn’t obvious.
Textures
- Anti-aliasing for transparent textures:
Code:
$allowalphatocoverage 1
Geometry
- If you have a func_detail ramp with weird lighting, you can cut the format of the ramp on the ground and add nodraw.
Visuals
- You can use env_bubbles to create neat bubble effects. Quite limited tho.
- You can use displacements to create cables. You should probably use a model tho. The texture is concrete/floor_carpet_001. Create the peaces of the cable, then select only the outer faces to create the displacement. Power 2 is fine. Then Subdivide, and use Paint Geomeotry to move the mesh around until you are satisfied.
- You can add text to the world using a point_worldtext
In-game
- Sometimes you want to take screenshots of your map and some holiday is going, like halloween or birthday. If you want to disable the holidays pickups, execute this command on console:
Code:
script Convars.SetValue("tf_force_holidays_off", 1)
Fixes
- Control point unlock countdown doesn't work;
- There's a bug with the tf_logic_koth entity that makes the control point unlock countdown not work. The fix is just to cut and paste the tf_logic_koth entity, nothing else needed.
- This happens because of the order in which the entity is placed inside the .vmf;
- The tf_logic_koth needs to come after team_control_point_master inside the .vmf file.
- After you cut and paste the entity, it goes to the end of the .vmf file, at least that's what I've been told
Resources
- Mapping Glossary
- List of mapping terms and their meanings
- TF2Maps: Useful Resources
- List with useful resources like tutorials, assets, conventions and tips
- Hammer Cheat Sheet Project
- List with useful keybinds when using Hammer++ and TF2 mapping in general
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