How do I make this kind of lighting?

[Sailaser]

Hi, I'm new to Hammer and I'm making a TF2 map. I am ok at detailing maps, but I want to know three things on lighting. I highly appreciate it if someone can help me:

1. How do you make these beams come from the lights? Is there an effect tool, or do I use "light_spot"?

2. How do you make lights for props? For example: The underground computers from 2fort.

3. How do you create a light texture like this?

I've provided images numbered to my questions:

 

[Crowbar]

1) It's the point_spotlight entity.
For the 2) and 3), this VDC article will probably provide you with some basic knowledge: Glowing Textures

 

[Prosciutto]

there is an pretty helpfull example map https://tf2maps.net/downloads/lighting-library.666/

 

[Diva Dan]

You can use lights/white001 for the third one, and if you make it a func_brush you can color it like the lights in the second one.

 

[theatreTECHIE]

2fort uses func_dustmotes for the sun light beams, although point_spotlight entities are used for the beams from single light sources.

As for the computers, I believe that Valve used env_sprite entities, although you should check the Decompiled Valve Maps page, and have a look at 2fort for yourself.

 

[Sailaser]

I'm finding these tips super helpful. I'll try them. Thanks!

 

[Sailaser]

Ok so I tried what Kobolite gave me, which was the lighting library, and it didn't work. I copied and pasted one of the lights and I got no beam. Is there a setting that I disabled by mistake?

The env_sprites, on the other hand, worked fine.

 

[theatreTECHIE]

Did you copy the light with the point_spotlight entity as well as the light_spot?

 

[Sailaser]

I think I did. I'll double check.

 

[Sailaser]

I'm pretty sure I did, I took the model and the light_spot. I'm not sure what the point_spotlight is.

 

[theatreTECHIE]

The point_spotlight is an entity that looks like a dark blue hemisphere with a few sticks pointing out of it. It's the entity that provides the shaft of light. Here's an image of the prefab you need:

 

[Sailaser]

Oh I see now, I took a light without a point_spotlight, but I've found some other ones with one. Thank you so much.

 

[Tumby]

2fort uses func_dustmotes for the sun light beams,

It's a prop_static with the model models/effects/lightshaft/lightshaft_2fortspawnext.mdl
Dustmotes are just particles flying about.

 

[MOCOLONI]

Quick answer and info taken from sdk_ctf_2fort (the official .VMF file):

1) light_spot + point_spotlight combination
2) light_spot + point_spotlight combination
3) a brush face textured with lights/white001

If you wish to know the values and such:
1) light_spot - "Outer (fading) angle" : 70 /// point_spotlight - "Spotlight Length" : 256 | "Spotlight Width" : 64
2) light_spot - "Inner (bright) angle" : 35 | "Outer (fading) angle" : 46 /// point_spotlight - "Spotlight Length" : 150 | "Spotlight Width" : 80

 

[Sailaser]

It works now. Thanks!

 

[Sailaser]

@MOCOLONI

Do I need to make a rad file?

 

[Tumby]

The default rad file already covers the existing light textures. What would be the point of them without it.
It is in the tf2_misc_dir.vpk and should work on its own.