env_projectedtexture

 

Projecting a colorful texture in Garry's Mod.

Portal 2 uses projected textures extensively for world lighting.

env_projectedtexture is a point entity available in all Source games since Half-Life 2: Episode One. It projects a texture as a dynamic light that affects all objects in the world, optionally with Shadow Mapping. env_Projectedtexture does not light the world similarly that other light entities which are ray-traced when you compile the map. This light however is real-time and doesn't calculate light bounces.

Warning: most expensive light entity in Source.

In code, it is represented by class CEnvProjectedTexture, defined in env_projectedtexture.cpp.

Caveats and Fixes

Main article: Env_projectedtexture/fixes

• Valve's games only support one shadow map in the PVS at a time.

Fix: It is possible to modify/remove this limit by following these instructions.

• Textures used for projected textures require the flags Clamp S, Clamp T and Clamp All to avoid glitchy tiling. Also note, that VTFs are used directly and no VMT is needed.

Note:In Garry's Mod, there can be up to 9 active env_projectedtextures turned on with shadow mapping at a time. You can also increase this limit by putting -numshadowtextures # in the Steam launch parameters of Garry's Mod, where # is the number of shadow maps the game should allow.

• Shadows are only rendered when the user is running with "High" shadow detail. If your options menu does not show the "High" shadow detail setting by default, you can add -force_vendor_id 0x10DE -force_device_id 0x1180 to the game's launch options for it to show up.
• In multiplayer, mat_supportflashlight must be set to 1 for flashlights to work. By default these ConVars are disabled in Team Fortress 2, so this entity won't work there without special configuration.
• Viewmodels won't receive light or shadows from projected textures, with the exception of Garry's Mod. You can follow these instructions to fix this bug.

Bug: In Portal 2, some Nvidia graphics cards render white specks or squares on certain textures. To fix this, remove the bumpmap ($bumpmap or $ssbump) or $detail textures.

Video of said bug.

Bug: Parenting does not work with stock SDK code.

Code Fix: This bug is fixable by following these instructions: Env_projectedtexture/fixes#Fixing Parenting.

Source 2007/2009 bugs

These have all been fixed in more recent engine builds.

Bug: The configurable texture value from Hammer is not accepted - will always default to the flashlight. You must use the SpotlightTexture input or you can also override the actual contents of the default VTF with a new one.

Code Fix: You can fix this issue by following these instructions: Env_projectedtexture/fixes#Fix_configurable_texture_value_in_Hammer.

Note:The SpotlightTexture input has been disabled in the Portal 2 and CS:GO engines, and instead shows an error message: "SetSpotlightTexture is disabled. If you need this feature reimplemented, tell a programmer."

Bug: The entity cannot target another entity.

Code Fix: This bug is fixable by following these instructions: env_projectedtexture/fixes#Fixing targeting.

Bug: Models will not receive their own shadows correctly unless using $bumpmap. Even a flat bump map is sufficient.

Bug: Causes issues if the entity overlaps a portal in Portal 1. Simply the projection overlapping a portal works fine.

Entity specifics for CS:GO

• Limited to only 1 active env_projectedtexture on the map.
• Shadows from env_projectedtexture work on "Low" video settings.
• With "Always Update" flag enabled you can parent env_projectedtexture to a moving entity to make light and shadows more dynamic.

Bug: No light or shadows work on viewmodels so far. As a workaround you can try to place dim light_spot or light_dynamic near env_projectedtexture with "Light World" keyvalue disabled to mimic the light coming from the projectedtexture entity.

Bug: No smooth transition between projectedtexture light and other type of lights on models. Enter thirdperson in the console and as a player move into env_projectedtexture lighting area placed under the sun with working env_cascade_light. By entering and leaving lighting area you will notice how light and shadows on player model will instantly switch between sun and projectedtexture. Same bug applies for props, for example if you place a prop_static in the water and try to move env_projectedtexture parented with func_movelinear back and forth, you will notice this bug on a prop model. You need to adjust "FOV" and "FarZ" keyvalues to achieve desirable effect or some kind of compromise.

Warning:  Place your env_projectedtexture very carefully, especially if you're going to move it. It's rather unstable, so make sure to test it for visual problems.

Flags

• 1: Enabled
• 2: Always Update (moving light) (New with Alien Swarm)(Also in Mapbase)

Keyvalues

Target (target) <targetname>

The entity will rotate to point at this target. Make sure you check the Always update flag if you set this.

FOV (lightfov) <float>

The field of view cone/pyramid at which the texture is projected.

Confirm:This keyvalue does not work in Alien Swarm.

NearZ (nearz) <float>

Objects closer than this will not receive the light from the projection.

FarZ (farz) <float>

Objects beyond this distance will not receive the light from the projection.

Enable Shadows (enableshadows) <boolean>

Enables/disables shadows from this projected texture. 0 = no, 1 = yes.

Shadow Quality (shadowquality) <choices>

Quality of shadows.

• 0: Low (sharp, pixelized shadows)
• 1: High (smooth edged shadows)

Light Only Target (lightonlytarget) <boolean>

Limit flashlight effect to only affect target entity.

Light World (lightworld) <boolean>

Control whether flashlight affects static world geometry. 0 = no, 1 = yes.

Light Color (lightcolor) <color255 + int>

RGB light color and intensity

Camera Space (cameraspace) <integer>

Angles are interpreted as being relative to camera.

Texture Name (texturename) <string> !FGD

The texture which this entity projects. Must be a VTF file (not VMT), relative to /materials.

Texture Frame (textureframe) <integer> !FGD

If the texture is animated, this is the frame it should begin on.

Simple Projection (simpleprojection) <boolean> (New with Alien Swarm) !FGD

Indicates if this is a simple, non-light casting texture projection.

Simple Projection Size (projection_size) <float> (New with Alien Swarm) !FGD

Simple Projection Rotation (projection_rotation) <float> (New with Alien Swarm) !FGD

Brightness Scale (brightnessscale) <float> (New with Alien Swarm)

Scale the light color by this brightness.

Color Transition Time (colortransitiontime) <float> (New with Alien Swarm)

Amount of time it takes for a color change to occur. Higher numbers cause faster transitions.

Appearance (style) <choices> (New with Portal 2)

Various Custom Appearance presets.

Note:Requires AlwaysUpdateOn to work.

Light Appearances

Literal Value	Description	Sequence	Preview
0	Normal	m
10	Fluorescent flicker	mmamammmmammamamaaamammma
2	Slow, strong pulse	abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcba
11	Slow pulse, noblack	abcdefghijklmnopqrrqponmlkjihgfedcba
5	Gentle pulse	jklmnopqrstuvwxyzyxwvutsrqponmlkj
1	Flicker A	mmnmmommommnonmmonqnmmo
6	Flicker B	nmonqnmomnmomomno
3	Candle A	mmmmmaaaaammmmmaaaaaabcdefgabcdefg
7	Candle B	mmmaaaabcdefgmmmmaaaammmaamm
8	Candle C	mmmaaammmaaammmabcdefaaaammmmabcdefmmmaaaa
4	Fast strobe	mamamamamama
9	Slow strobe	aaaaaaaazzzzzzzz
12 !FGD	Underwater light mutation	mmnnmmnnnmmnn

Custom Appearance (pattern) <string> (New with Portal 2)

Set a custom pattern of light brightness for this light. Pattern format is a string of characters, where a is total darkness, z fully bright. i.e. aaggnnttzz would be a steppy fade in from dark to light.

Default Appearance (defaultstyle) <string> (New with Portal 2)

Base:

Classname (classname) <string>

The classname defines the type of entity. Classnames can be changed using AddOutput, which will influence how the engine deals with the entity in certain circumstances.

Name (targetname) <string>

The name that other entities refer to this entity by.

Global Entity Name (globalname) <string>

Name by which this entity is linked to another entity in a different map. When the player transitions to a new map, entities in the new map with globalnames matching entities in the previous map will have the previous map's state copied over their state.

Parent (parentname) <targetname>

Specifies a movement parent. An entity will maintain its initial offset from its parent. An attachment point can be added to the end of the name, separated by a comma. Every entity can be parented, even point entities. Entities which are parented will be forced to transition to the next map, such as from a trigger_transition. Some entities which aren't intended to be parented may not function correctly. phys_constraint can be used as a workaround to parenting.

Origin (X Y Z) (origin) <coordinates>

The position of this entity's center in the world. Rotating entities typically rotate around their origin.

Pitch Yaw Roll (X Y Z) (angles) <angle>

This entity's orientation in the world. Pitch is rotation around the Y axis, yaw is the rotation around the Z axis, roll is the rotation around the X axis.

Note:This works on brush entities, although Hammer doesn't show the new angles.

Flags (spawnflags) <integer>

Toggles features of an entity, its specific number is determined by the combination of flags added.

Response Contexts (ResponseContext) <string>

Pre-defined response system contexts for this entity. Format is key:value,key:value,.... Contexts may be filtered.

Effects (effects) <integer> !FGD

Combination of effect flags to use.

Local Time (ltime) <float> !FGD

The local time of the entity, independent of the global clock. Used mainly for physics calculations.

Next Think (nextthink) <float> !FGD

Amount of time before the entity thinks again.

Hammer ID (hammerid) <integer> !FGD

The entity's Hammer ID. Mainly used by plugins and debugging commands, such as ent_keyvalue. Can be manually assigned with the "hammerid" or "id" keyvalue. Entities spawned at run-time are not assigned any Hammer ID.

Disable for Xbox 360 (disableX360) <boolean> (New with Left 4 Dead 2) !FGD

If Yes, disables this entity on the Xbox 360 version of Source.

Entity Scripts (vscripts) <scriptlist> (New with Left 4 Dead 2)

Space delimited list of VScript files (without file extension) that are executed after all entities have spawned. The scripts are all executed in the same script scope, later ones overwriting any identical variables and functions.

Script think function (thinkfunction) <string> (New with Left 4 Dead 2)

Name of a function in this entity's script which will be called automatically every 100 milliseconds (ten times a second) for the duration of the script. It can be used to create timers or to simulate autonomous behavior. The return value (if present) will set the time until the next call. Try to avoid expensive operations in this function, as it may cause performance problems.

Lag Compensation (LagCompensate) <boolean> (New with Left 4 Dead 2) !FGD

Set to Yes to lag compensate this entity. Should be used very sparingly!

Is Automatic-Aim Target (is_autoaim_target) <boolean> (New with Counter-Strike: Global Offensive) !FGD

If set to 1, this entity will slow down aiming movement for consoles and joystick controllers when the entity is under the crosshairs.

Inputs

Note:In some FGDs, only TurnOn, TurnOff and FOV are present.

TurnOn

Turns on the texture.

Confirm:In gmod projected lights always start on even when "enabled" is not checked.

TurnOff

Turns off the texture.

FOV <float>

Sets FOV.

EnableShadows <boolean>

Set the if shadows are enabled. 0 = no, 1 = yes.

SpotlightTexture <string>

Sets the spotlight texture.

Target <string>

Specify a new Target entity to point at.

CameraSpace <boolean>

Sets Camera Space.

LightOnlyTarget <boolean>

Sets Light Only Target.

Bug: Non-functional.

LightWorld <integer>

Sets Light World. 0 = no, 1 = yes.

AlwaysUpdateOn  (New with Alien Swarm)

Turn on per frame updating (for moving lights).

AlwaysUpdateOff  (New with Alien Swarm)

Turn off per frame updating (for moving lights).

LightColor <color255> (New with Alien Swarm)

Change the Light Color.

SetLightStyle <integer> (New with Portal 2)

Sets an Appearance. (see Appearance keyvalue above for possible values)

SetPattern <string> (New with Portal 2)

Sets Custom Appearance. (see Custom Appearance keyvalue above)

SetNearZ <float> (New with Portal 2)

Sets NearZ.

SetFarZ <float> (New with Portal 2)

Sets FarZ.

Base:

Kill

Removes this entity and any entities parented to it from the world.

KillHierarchy

Functions the same as Kill, although this entity and any entities parented to it are killed on the same frame, being marginally faster than Kill.

SetParent <string>

Move with this entity. See Entity Hierarchy (parenting).

SetParentAttachment <string>

Change this entity to attach to a specific attachment point on its parent. The entity will teleport so that the position of its root bone matches that of the attachment. Entities must be parented before being sent this input.

SetParentAttachmentMaintainOffset <string>

As above, but without teleporting. The entity retains its position relative to the attachment at the time of the input being received.

ClearParent

Removes this entity from the the movement hierarchy, leaving it free to move independently.

AddOutput <string>

Evaluates a keyvalue/output on this entity.
Format: <key> <value>
Format: <output name> <targetname>:<inputname>:<parameter>:<delay>:<max times to fire, -1 means infinite>

FireUser1 to FireUser4

Fire the OnUser outputs; see User Inputs and Outputs.

Use  !FGD

Same as a player invoking +use; may not do anything. Can also be invoked by creating an output that does not specify an input.
This input is not included in Valve's FGDs.

DispatchEffect <string> (removed in ) !FGD

Dispatches a special effect from the entity's origin. Removed and replaced entirely by the particle system since .

DispatchResponse <string> !FGD

Dispatches a response to the entity. See Response and Concept.

AddContext <string>

Adds to the entity's list of response contexts. Format is <key>:<value>.

RemoveContext <string>

Remove a context from this entity's list. The name should match the key of an existing context.

ClearContext <string>

Removes all contexts from this entity's list.

RunScriptFile <script> (in all games since )

Execute a VScript file from disk, without file extension. The script contents are merged with the script scope of the receiving entity.

RunScriptCode <string> (in all games since )

Execute a string of VScript source code in the scope of the entity receiving the input. String quotation may be needed when fired via console.

Bug:  In , the code is executed in the script scope of the entity that fires the output, not the one receiving the input.

Warning: Never try to pass string parameters to a script function with this input. It will corrupt the VMF structure because of the nested quotation marks, which then must be removed manually with a text editor.

CallScriptFunction <string> (in all games since ) !FGD

Execute a VScript function in the scope of the receiving entity.

SetLocalOrigin <coordinates> (in all games since ) !FGD

Send this entity to a spot in the map. If the entity is parented to something, it will be offset from the parent by this amount.

SetLocalAngles <angles> (in all games since ) !FGD

Set this entity's angles.

Outputs

Base:

OnUser1 to OnUser4

These outputs each fire in response to the firing of the like-numbered FireUser1 to FireUser4 Input; see User Inputs and Outputs.

OnKilled  (Only in the Left 4 Dead series)

This output fires when the entity is killed and removed from the game.