Isometric screenshots

Boylee

pew pew pew
aa
Apr 29, 2008
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709
I've noticed recently that a lot of people have been posting isometric map overviews Like this one:
ortho_science2.jpg


I tried seaching but I was unable to find much on the subject. The most informative post I found was this one by Terr.
I'm sorry to say that I don't really 'get it' though. :mellow:

Would someone be so kind as to explain how it's done step by step please, or even make a tutorial? Many cookies will be bestowed upon the one to successfully endow the masses with this sacred knowledge. ;)
 

Seba

DR. BIG FUCKER, PHD
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Jun 9, 2009
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If i understood Terr's post correctly, you must enable ortho view with camortho 1, then set your camera view with cl_orthoheight y and cl_orthowidth x. Try playing around with these, as that seems to be the best way to learn about most of TF2's functions.
 

Terr

Cranky Coder
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Jul 31, 2009
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From some other console commands, I give you the latest Maxis game, Sim Well :p

Details here:

http://forums.tf2maps.net/showpost.php?p=148812&postcount=20

It's tricky to explain, easier to play around with. What you see on the screen starts to have a very different relationship to where your spectator "camera" is.

So, if I recall correctly:
  • This is not quite the same as the "level overview" stuff, it uses different console commands.
  • Join the map as a spectator.
  • Go into "thirdperson" mode before turning on the orthographic settings. This is not required, but it's nice because it means you can use "firstperson" and "thirdperson" to switch between orthographic (sim-city-style) and perspective (normal) mode. I have found no other way to disable orthographic mode once it has been enabled.
  • Turn on the "camortho"
  • The orthographic width/height settings (c_orthowidth, c_orthoheight) are basically what you use to "zoom" the image. By default they will be set far far too low.
  • The mouse controls the angle from which rendering occurs. If you want an exact angle, use the "setang X X X" command.
  • The position of your spectator camera determines which walls are drawn in front of which other walls.
 
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Boylee

pew pew pew
aa
Apr 29, 2008
1,068
709
Details here:

http://forums.tf2maps.net/showpost.php?p=148812&postcount=20

It's tricky to explain, easier to play around with. What you see on the screen starts to have a very different relationship to where your spectator "camera" is.

So, if I recall correctly:
  • This is not quite the same as the "level overview" stuff, it uses different console commands.
  • Join the map as a spectator.
  • Go into "thirdperson" mode before turning on the orthographic settings. This is not required, but it's nice because it means you can use "firstperson" and "thirdperson" to switch between orthographic (sim-city-style) and perspective (normal) mode. I have found no other way to disable orthographic mode once it has been enabled.
  • Turn on the "camortho"
  • The orthographic width/height settings (c_orthowidth, c_orthoheight) are basically what you use to "zoom" the image. By default they will be set far far too low.
  • The mouse controls the angle from which rendering occurs. If you want an exact angle, use the "setang X X X" command.
  • The position of your spectator camera determines which walls are drawn in front of which other walls.

:lol: that's the same post I linked to in the OP.

Anyway, thanks for clarifying Terr, makes a lot more sense now.
Just to make sure I got this right, to achieve an isometric screenshot I should:
  1. Open up my map, enable cheats and switch to spectator
  2. Switch to thirdperson using thirdperson
  3. Switch to orthographic view by using camortho
  4. Play with c_orthowidth and c_orthoheight until I have desired level of 'zoom' (making sure the values fit my monitor's aspect ratio)
  5. Use the mouse to get the correct angle, or set the desired angle using setang X Y Z.
  6. Hit F5, which I have bound to take a screenshot.

I'm guessing that for best results I should have a spectator cam pointing in roughly the same direction I'm taking the screenshot from, unless I actually want to see through the walls, right?
 
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