Maps and included props#

Note

If you know the Team Fortress 2 methods for bringing maps in, it is exactly the same process here except the location is changed to [game_directory] / garrysmod / maps instead of [game_directory] / tf / maps. The fully detailed guide has still been listed here, similar to the Team Fortress 2 Vanilla section, as some users may not be experienced with Team Fortress 2 and may only be interested in Garry’s Mod. This is why you will find the instructions here and on that page to be extremely similar, as they’re the same process.

Method 1 (Recommended) uses three tools, all linked in that section. This method is recommended as it makes the maps significantly easier to work with. All imported items are organized into collections and very easy to work with and customize.
Method 2 (Alternate) uses only one addon, called SourceIO. It’s a one click solution and way easier than Method 1 (Recommended) , but the names of objects becomes messy, and there’s extra cleanup required as extra objects such as the map hitbox is also imported. It’s closer in looks to Gmod as it uses its own shader, so if you want the true Gmod look, then use this. Method 1 (Recommended) also works fine but is better suited for applying your own style or flair to your renders and animations.
Both methods require a fully working copy of Garry’s Mod and a recent copy of Blender. If you are unable to get these methods to work, it is recommended to use the latest version of Blender.

Method 2 (Alternate)#

Summary of Method 2#

  • Download SourceIO and install it as an Add-on into Blender (This step is only necessary for first time use).

  • Go to File > Import > Source Engine Assets > Source Map (.bsp) in Blender.

  • Locate the map you wish to bring into Blender under [game_directory] / garrysmod / maps.

  • Once the map is brought in, select everything by pressing A, then Shift Click an Empty.

  • Press N under the 3D Viewport to open the sidebar, go to SourceIO, and click Load Entity.

  • Disable all lights except light_environment, and set Color Profile from Filmic to Standard.

Full Guide of Method 2#

SourceIO will be used for Full Guide of Method 2. The steps to install these can be seen at the Installing Programs section.

Bringing the Map in#

Important

Carefully follow these instructions. If you make a mistake, you will have to create a new, blank, project, as this addon directly reads off the .BSP in real time and doesn’t allow that file to be changed or edited. There’s also a lot of cleanup work to be done so, it’s recommended to have a completely empty Scene for this process.

  • Go to File > ⤓ Import > Source Engine Assets > Source map (.bsp) (Make sure SourceIO is installed).

  • Select your map of choice. The map MUST be in your Gmod game directory. It will be in [game_directory] / garrysmod / maps. You can use the name filter to narrow down the results.

Once loaded in, maps will be quite bare-bones. The lighting will most likely be too dark, and the props aren’t there. There are a few things to set up.

  • Press A to select all objects within the viewport. Then Shift Click on an Empty.

  • An Empty is a placeholder. You’ll notice a lot of these in places where Props are supposed to be.

  • Everything should be selected, with an Empty being highlighted as Orange.

  • Hovering over the 3D Viewport, press N to open the side panel. There will be a SourceIO tab. Click on that to open it.

  • Click on Load Entity.

  • It might take some time so please be patient. If done right, all props should show up without any error messages.

The names of the props will be a huge mess, and every single prop will end up having its own Collection. For this reason, Method 1 (Recommended) is recommended, but otherwise, the overall Map and the Props on the map are pretty much the exact same.
The lighting is going to appear strange because in Eevee (Blender’s default render engine) has a maximum of 128 lights. Filter the Outliner (the place where all objects and things in the scene are shown) by lights with the following settings:
Toggles that will only show light objects.

See also

For a full list of Eevee’s limitations, you can consult this page from Blender’s official manual.

Finishing Touches (Both Methods)#

  • Use Material Preview mode to confirm that all materials are actually fully functional before you do anything else. All textures should be visible and no part of the map should be white.

  • Use Eevee if you want a true TF2 look. Cycles will get you very different results.

  • There’s unfortunately a limit of Eevee which there’s no way around. It can only have 128 active lights at once, while a lot of maps in TF2 end up having significantly more than that. Unfortunately the only way around this is to use Cycles, which doesn’t have a light limit, but another alternative is to maintain the majority of the look by turning off every light except the one which starts with the name light_environment. This is the ‘Sun’ light and is responsible for nearly all outdoor lighting and shadows present on the map.

  • If you want more accurate Garry’s Mod colors, go to Color Management, and set the Color Profile from Filmic to Standard.

  • To apply the Skybox, check the Applying Skybox section.

Applying Skybox#

It is necessary for Plumber to be installed for this next part. SourceIO cannot do this.
To apply a Skybox, first find it in the corner, then select all the objects that are near it. Make sure none of the objects are linked to the rest of the map. If they are, then you have to go into Edit mode to separate it.
After that, Shift Click the Empty. This is important because otherwise it won’t line up.
Finally, click Object, then Transform VMF 3D sky.
A GIF has been attached to show the process visually.

Visual guide for applying Skybox.