Team Fortress 2/Creating fire

Todo: I'm just putting the pictures in now.

Team Fortress 2 doesn't fully support the env_fire entity used in other Source games; while the fire itself is simulated, the flames do not show up in-game. This article demonstrates how to create working fire in Team Fortress 2, similar to the torch fire used in Egypt.

The Torch

To begin, choose a prop to hold your fire. For this example, models/egypt/wall_torch/wall_torch.mdl is used.

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Creating The Flames

There are two different ways to create the visible flames for the fire: either using an env_smokestack or an info_particle_system.

Env_Smokestack

Egypt uses env_smokestacks to simulate flames and, while they do not look exactly the same as an env_fire flame, are a good substitute.

Insert an env_smokestack into your map and align it so that the origin is inside the cup of your torch.

You will need these properties:

• Initial State: On
• Spread At The Base: 0
• Spread Speed: 8
• Speed: 30
• Particle Start Size: 9
• Particle End Size: 4
• Emission Rate: 15
• Length Of Smoke Trail: 24
• Wind X/Y Angle: 0
• Wind Speed: 0
• Particle Material: particle/smokesprites_0001
• Twist: 10
• Roll Speed: 5
• Base Colour (R G B): 250 200 133
• Translucency: 255

Tip:Some values, specifically the Particle Start/End Sizes, Length Of Smoke Trail and Spread Speed) can be adjusted as needed to create different sizes of flames.

Info_Particle_System

Note:This method is recommended only for small flames, since it borrows the effect used for burning Huntsman arrows. The flame itself is about 16 units high.

Insert an info_particle_system into your map and align it so that the origin is inside the cup of your torch.

You will need these properties:

• Particle System Name: flaming_arrow
• Start Active?: Yes

Glow

Note:This is not the light that is cast by your fire; this is covered in the next section.

An env_sprite is used to simulate the glow of the fire at its base.

Insert an env_sprite into your map and align it so that its origin is at the same point as your env_smokestack or info_particle_system.

You will need these properties:

• Render FX: Constant Glow
• Render Mode: Additive
• FX Amount (0 - 255): 125
• FX Colour (R G B): 255 140 36
• Framerate: 10
• Sprite Name: materials/Sprites/light_glow03.vmt
• Scale: 0.6
• Size Of Glow Proxy Geometry: 30

Lighting

For your fire to cast light, you will need a light entity. Place this about 16-32 units forwards from your torch.

You will need these properties:

• Brightness: 249 118 62 50 (Change this last number to suit your brightness needs)
• Appearance: 32 (Yes, just type it in)

Todo: What significant difference does typing in the Appearance value make?

Trigger_Hurt

If the player stands on your fire they will need to be hurt by it. This is accomplished with a trigger_hurt.

Create a trigger brush of appropriate size for your fire (the size used in Egypt is 10 length X 10 width X 12 height). Tie the brush to a trigger_hurt and place it where your flame will be.

You will need these properties:

• Damage Type: BURN
• Damage: 10

Conclusion

That's it! You can now compile your map and the fire should show up in-game.

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