Difference between revisions of "Help:Taking screenshots"

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Most articles contain at least one screenshot taken in the game. This guide on '''taking screenshots''' will help you with creating clear and high quality shots of the game, whether it's for [[List of maps|map]] articles or otherwise. This guide will be mostly focused on map articles, but these settings generally also apply to other articles with in-game screenshots.
  
Screenshots are an integral part of the wiki, seeing as we are covering a game. Here are some tips to help you in '''taking screenshots'''.
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== Requirements ==
 +
Make sure your computer is capable of running the game in high quality. It is not necessary to run the game at a high frame rate, but it will make the process of taking the screenshots much easier. Make sure the [[console|developer console]] is enabled by going to the Options menu, clicking on "Advanced...", and checking "Enable developer console". The console can then be opened with the grave accent key ({{key|`}}), usually located under the {{key|ESC}} key.
  
==Clear shots==
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=== Setting up the map ===
To create '''clear shots''' for the wiki, make sure that your computer can run the game at a reasonable quality. If possible, set the in-game graphics to High/Very High and set both Antialiasing and Anisotropic Filtering to the highest setting they will run at. You can turn this down when you want to play the game again, but it is necessary to take a good screenshot.
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A server can be started up by typing {{code|map <map filename>}} (the filename can be found on the map's article) in the console. By default, other players cannot join this server. After loading the map, enter the command {{code|mp_tournament 1}} to disable the map's timer and set {{code|sv_cheats}} to {{code|1}}.  
  
Make sure that you read the guidelines on [[Team_Fortress_Wiki:Images|images]] so that you take/save your image in an appropriate style/format for the wiki. Screenshots are generally uploaded in .png format.
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If the screenshot requires other players, [[Bots#Puppet bots|puppet bots]] can often replace them. If another player is absolutely required, do not use {{code|sv_lan 1}}. Instead, put a password on the server and have the other player(s) join through [[Steam]].
  
==Console commands==
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=== Graphic settings ===
The following commands can be helpful when taking screenshots within ''Team Fortress 2''.
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For the in-game graphic settings:
For each code, there is an explanation below that explains how it will affect the screenshot.
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* You can download [[:File:Wiki screenshots.cfg|this config file]] and place it in TF2's config directory at {{code|steamapps\common\Team Fortress 2\tf\cfg}}.  
 +
* If you wish to do it manually, navigate to {{code|steamapps\common\Team Fortress 2\tf\cfg}}, create a new text file and name it something such as {{code|wiki_screenshots.cfg}}. Make sure the file's extension is {{code|.cfg}} and not {{code|.txt}}. Open the config and paste the following:
 +
<pre>
 +
// Removes fog from maps
 +
fog_override 1
 +
fog_enable 0
  
  sv_cheats 1
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// Opens up all the area portals on the map, rendering the entire map at once
This is required to run many of the console commands below as most are regarded as "cheats". Using this command will not affect your VAC status.
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// If you experience extremely low framerates, try turning this setting off
 +
r_portalsopenall 1
  
    noclip
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// Highest quality models
This will allow you to move around the map unrestricted. This is how you get some nice looking shots to display.
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r_lod 0
  
    cl_drawhud 0
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// Highest quality textures
This will remove the heads up display including the timer, health and ammo HUD's.
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mat_picmip -10
  
    r_drawviewmodel 0
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// Disables pyrovision when spectating
This will remove any visible weapons and cross-hairs from the screenshot.
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tf_spectate_pyrovision 0
  
    fog_enable 0
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// Increases quality of textures at a distance
This will remove Fog from the map. This helps with longer shots or map overviews.
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mat_mipmaptextures 1
  
    r_portalsopenall 1
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// Disables objective (Payload/Intel) outlines
This will open all the [[vdc:Areaportal|area portals]] on the map, rendering all areas in the map. This can be extremely expensive on the framerate.
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glow_outline_effect_enable 0
  
    r_lod 0
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// Highest anti-alias settings
Increases the quality of models (level of detail). This will make all objects look more detailed.
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mat_antialias 8
 +
mat_aaquality 2
  
    mat_picmip -1
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// Makes the outlines of lights smoother
Increases the quality of textures. This will make all objects look more detailed.
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r_lightmap_bicubic 1
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</pre>
  
'''Note:''' Many of these commands are regarded as "cheats", and as such can only be used in local games. They can be used, regardless of server setting, when spectating via SourceTV.
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When in-game, execute the config by typing {{code|exec wiki_screenshots}}. This should automatically apply the commands.
  
==Other players==
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== Preparing and taking the screenshot ==
Unless necessary for your shot, make sure that you play on a local server so that you do not capture other players within your screenshot.
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Most map screenshots require the [[Heads-up display|HUD]] and [[viewmodel]] to be hidden. These can be disabled with {{code|cl_drawhud 0}} and {{code|r_drawviewmodel 0}} respectively, or alternatively be toggled by creating a bind for it using {{code|bindtoggle <key> cl_drawhud}} and {{code|bindtoggle <key> r_drawviewmodel}}. {{code|noclip}} is a crucial command to take map screenshots, allowing you to move freely around the map. You can add the following commands to the config, replacing the bound keys with keys of your choice, if you wish to have them executed at the same time as the graphics settings:
 +
<pre>
 +
// Viewmodel toggle
 +
bindtoggle i r_drawviewmodel
  
==Taking a screenshot==
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// HUD toggle
===Under Windows===
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bindtoggle o cl_drawhud
Taking a screenshot '''under Windows''' is simple. By default, pressing {{Key|F5}} will save the image as a <code>TGA</code> (Targa) file in your <code>\Steam\SteamApps\<username>\team fortress 2\tf\screenshots</code> directory.
 
  
In order to upload the image, you will first need to convert the image into <code>PNG</code> format.
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// noclip toggle
* There are numerous websites that will do this for you. Here is a quick link to [http://www.converthub.com/tgatopng.php one].
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bind p noclip
* Most image editors can perform the conversion. [http://www.irfanview.com/ IrfanView] and [http://www.getpaint.net/ Paint.NET] are free and easy to use.
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</pre>
  
===Under OS X===
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=== On Windows {{anchor|Under Windows}} ===
Taking a screenshot '''under OS X''' is slightly simpler than above.
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Taking a screenshot under Windows is simple. By default, pressing {{Key|F5}} (command: <code>screenshot</code>) saves the image as a {{code|TGA}} (Targa) file in your {{code|\Steam\steamapps\common\team fortress 2\tf\screenshots}} directory.<br>
By pressing {{Key|Shift}}+{{Key|Cmd}}+{{Key|3}} at the same time, OS X will automatically take a full-screen screenshot. It is also possible to take a screenshot of a certain part of your screen using  {{Key|Shift}}+{{Key|Cmd}}+{{Key|4}}.
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'''Do not use Steam screenshots ({{Key|F12}}) as these are saved as low quality JPEGs instead.'''
Any images taken via this method will appear on the Desktop. Alternatively, you can press {{Key|fn}}+{{Key|F5}} for the same result as Windows.
 
  
== See also ==
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Before uploading the image, you first need to convert the image into {{code|PNG}} format.
 +
* There are numerous websites that do this for you. Here is a quick link to [https://www.converthub.com/tgatopng.php one].
 +
* Most image editors can perform the conversion. [https://www.irfanview.com/ IrfanView] and [https://www.getpaint.net/ Paint.NET] are free and easy to use.
 +
 
 +
=== On OS X {{anchor|Under OS X}} ===
 +
Taking a screenshot under OS X is slightly simpler than above. By pressing {{Key|Shift}}+{{Key|Cmd}}+{{Key|3}} at the same time, OS X automatically takes a full-screen screenshot. It is also possible to take a screenshot of a certain part of your screen using {{Key|Shift}}+{{Key|Cmd}}+{{Key|4}}.
 +
 
 +
Any images taken via this method appear on the Desktop. Alternatively, you can press {{Key|fn}}+{{Key|F5}} for the same result as Windows (<code>screenshot</code>).
 +
 
 +
=== On Linux ===
 +
Taking a screenshot on Linux is similar to Windows. By default, pressing {{Key|F5}} saves the image as a {{code|TGA}} (Targa) file in your {{code|~/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/Team Fortress 2/tf/screenshots}} directory.<br>
 +
'''Do not use Steam screenshots ({{Key|F12}}) as these are saved as low-quality JPEGs instead.'''
 +
 
 +
Before uploading the image, you first need to convert it into {{code|PNG}} format:
 +
* Use a simple terminal command, from a package such as ImageMagick: {{code|convert screenshot.tga screenshot.png}}
 +
** This package can be installed with {{code|sudo apt install imagemagick}}.
 +
* Similarly to Windows, most image editors can perform the conversion. [https://www.gimp.org/ GIMP] or [https://www.xnview.com/en/xnviewmp/ XnViewMP] are free and easy to use.
 +
 
 +
== Uploading ==
 +
{{Main|Help:Images#Uploading images|l1=Uploading images}}
 +
Upload the screenshot to the Wiki by going to [[Special:Upload]], clicking "Browse...", and selecting the image. For an image intended to show off the map (such as in the "gallery" or "locations" sections), the filename should '''always''' contain the map's name. Make sure the title is descriptive of the location, such as [[:File:Upward BLU spawn 1 outside.png|Upward BLU spawn 1 outside.png]] instead of "Upward 1.png". In the {{int:filedesc}} substitute the {{tl|mapimg}} template by typing <code><nowiki>{{subst:mapimg|mapname}}</nowiki></code>, replacing {{code|mapname}} with the map's name (i.e. <code><nowiki>{{subst:mapimg|Upward}}</nowiki></code>). This template automatically adds the correct licenses and categories and removes the need to select a license from the drop-down menu. Click the "Upload file" button at the bottom, and your image is uploaded.
 +
 
 +
== {{heading|See also}} ==
 
* [[Help:Images]] - Help article on images.
 
* [[Help:Images]] - Help article on images.
 
* [[Team Fortress Wiki:Images]] - Guidelines article on images.
 
* [[Team Fortress Wiki:Images]] - Guidelines article on images.

Latest revision as of 05:11, 18 November 2025

Ico camera.png

Most articles contain at least one screenshot taken in the game. This guide on taking screenshots will help you with creating clear and high quality shots of the game, whether it's for map articles or otherwise. This guide will be mostly focused on map articles, but these settings generally also apply to other articles with in-game screenshots.

Requirements

Make sure your computer is capable of running the game in high quality. It is not necessary to run the game at a high frame rate, but it will make the process of taking the screenshots much easier. Make sure the developer console is enabled by going to the Options menu, clicking on "Advanced...", and checking "Enable developer console". The console can then be opened with the grave accent key (`), usually located under the ESC key.

Setting up the map

A server can be started up by typing map <map filename> (the filename can be found on the map's article) in the console. By default, other players cannot join this server. After loading the map, enter the command mp_tournament 1 to disable the map's timer and set sv_cheats to 1.

If the screenshot requires other players, puppet bots can often replace them. If another player is absolutely required, do not use sv_lan 1. Instead, put a password on the server and have the other player(s) join through Steam.

Graphic settings

For the in-game graphic settings:

  • You can download this config file and place it in TF2's config directory at steamapps\common\Team Fortress 2\tf\cfg.
  • If you wish to do it manually, navigate to steamapps\common\Team Fortress 2\tf\cfg, create a new text file and name it something such as wiki_screenshots.cfg. Make sure the file's extension is .cfg and not .txt. Open the config and paste the following:
// Removes fog from maps
fog_override 1
fog_enable 0

// Opens up all the area portals on the map, rendering the entire map at once
// If you experience extremely low framerates, try turning this setting off
r_portalsopenall 1

// Highest quality models
r_lod 0

// Highest quality textures
mat_picmip -10

// Disables pyrovision when spectating
tf_spectate_pyrovision 0

// Increases quality of textures at a distance
mat_mipmaptextures 1

// Disables objective (Payload/Intel) outlines
glow_outline_effect_enable 0

// Highest anti-alias settings
mat_antialias 8
mat_aaquality 2

// Makes the outlines of lights smoother
r_lightmap_bicubic 1

When in-game, execute the config by typing exec wiki_screenshots. This should automatically apply the commands.

Preparing and taking the screenshot

Most map screenshots require the HUD and viewmodel to be hidden. These can be disabled with cl_drawhud 0 and r_drawviewmodel 0 respectively, or alternatively be toggled by creating a bind for it using bindtoggle <key> cl_drawhud and bindtoggle <key> r_drawviewmodel. noclip is a crucial command to take map screenshots, allowing you to move freely around the map. You can add the following commands to the config, replacing the bound keys with keys of your choice, if you wish to have them executed at the same time as the graphics settings:

// Viewmodel toggle
bindtoggle i r_drawviewmodel

// HUD toggle
bindtoggle o cl_drawhud

// noclip toggle
bind p noclip

On Windows

Taking a screenshot under Windows is simple. By default, pressing F5 (command: screenshot) saves the image as a TGA (Targa) file in your \Steam\steamapps\common\team fortress 2\tf\screenshots directory.
Do not use Steam screenshots (F12) as these are saved as low quality JPEGs instead.

Before uploading the image, you first need to convert the image into PNG format.

  • There are numerous websites that do this for you. Here is a quick link to one.
  • Most image editors can perform the conversion. IrfanView and Paint.NET are free and easy to use.

On OS X

Taking a screenshot under OS X is slightly simpler than above. By pressing ⇧ Shift+⌘ Cmd+3 at the same time, OS X automatically takes a full-screen screenshot. It is also possible to take a screenshot of a certain part of your screen using ⇧ Shift+⌘ Cmd+4.

Any images taken via this method appear on the Desktop. Alternatively, you can press fn+F5 for the same result as Windows (screenshot).

On Linux

Taking a screenshot on Linux is similar to Windows. By default, pressing F5 saves the image as a TGA (Targa) file in your ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/Team Fortress 2/tf/screenshots directory.
Do not use Steam screenshots (F12) as these are saved as low-quality JPEGs instead.

Before uploading the image, you first need to convert it into PNG format:

  • Use a simple terminal command, from a package such as ImageMagick: convert screenshot.tga screenshot.png
    • This package can be installed with sudo apt install imagemagick.
  • Similarly to Windows, most image editors can perform the conversion. GIMP or XnViewMP are free and easy to use.

Uploading

Main article: Uploading images

Upload the screenshot to the Wiki by going to Special:Upload, clicking "Browse...", and selecting the image. For an image intended to show off the map (such as in the "gallery" or "locations" sections), the filename should always contain the map's name. Make sure the title is descriptive of the location, such as Upward BLU spawn 1 outside.png instead of "Upward 1.png". In the Summary substitute the {{mapimg}} template by typing {{subst:mapimg|mapname}}, replacing mapname with the map's name (i.e. {{subst:mapimg|Upward}}). This template automatically adds the correct licenses and categories and removes the need to select a license from the drop-down menu. Click the "Upload file" button at the bottom, and your image is uploaded.

See also