Need to take some screenshots to show off your map? Sure, everyone knows that you can just go into TF2 and press F5 to take a screenshot, but that won't give you any professional-looking results. Let me guide you to taking the best possible screenshots!
1. Position yourself
First of all, taking screenshots from ground level is often not sufficient, as that angle tends to not show off layouts and areas very well. To be able to "fly", make sure you're in a private server (Create Server on the main menu), then open the console and type
sv_cheats 1. This turns cheats on, allowing you to toggle the noclip ("flying") mode by typing
noclip in console.
2. Take JPEG picures
Normally, screens are saved in TGA format, which is not very convenient because it's not a format that most browsers support. To take JPEG pictures, input
bind f5 "jpeg" in the console - this binds the F5 key to taking JPEG shots. You might want to increase the screenshot quality too, which you can do by inputting
jpeg_quality x in the console. 100 is the max, and I believe 90 is the default.
PS: If you want to convert a TGA to another format, use
IrfanView.
3. Remove obstructions
Never ever leave in screen overlays (The HUD or weapon models), it leaves a terrible first impression. To remove your weapon model, type
r_drawviewmodel 0. The HUD can be removed by using the command
cl_drawhud 0. Substitute 0 for 1 to turn either of these back on again.
4. Optional: Get rid of the fog
Skip this if you're taking normal screenshots. However, overhead shots (to show off your layout) can be ruined by the presence of fog. Type
fog_override 1 and
fog_enable 0 in console to disable it. Switch the 1 for a 0 and vice versa to turn it back on.
5. Max out your graphics
Don't take screenshots with really low settings - it gives a terrible impression. Turn every graphics setting to the absolute max if you can. Anti-aliasing is very important. It doesn't matter if it makes you lag, since all you're going to do is take a still frame screenshot.
6. Take screenshots
Press F5, or whatever your screenshot key is. Some guidelines: Take screenshots of the major gameplay areas (Control Points, other large fighting areas, Intel Rooms). An overhead shot can be good as well. If you really want to go all out, try taking a screenshot of some gameplay in action on your map.
7. Find your screenshots
By default, they should all be in
Program Files\Steam\steamapps\(Steam name)\team fortress 2\tf\screenshots.
8. Upload them
TF2Maps allows you to upload screenshots directly to the thread while creating it, which I recommend you use. When you want to show off WIPs or something, I recommend
Dropbox, which lets you upload and link your images (and other files) through a folder on your computer rather than their website. There's a good reason most members of this site use it.
Imgur is also good for its simplicity, speed and short links. Finally,
zShare is a great tool for taking screenshots and automatically upload them to a website or your Dropbox folder, which allows you to circumvent the whole thing with going into your tf folder to find the screenshots.
[TUTORIAL] Taking the best possible map screenshots
