Easy high quality character screenshots.

This is a simple, seven steps guide explaining a neat trick on how to make a proper in-game screenshot of your character and favorite loadout. No SFM or Garry's mod required for this, just your regular TF2. If you follow the steps you can easily make a nice screenshots like the ones in my unusual hat album[imgur.com].

Intro

So you would like to make a nice in-game screenshot of your loadout, but don't want to have to taunt or rely on someone else to make the shot? Then this guide is perfect for you. I can assure you that following these steps will not harm your TF2 game files in any way, so don't worry about that.

Character screenshots are great for showing off cool item combinations or hats you've come up with. You can use them to convince people to buy your items, make friends jealous or even make a steam avatar out of it.

In this album [imgur.com]are a number of good examples of the kind of screenshots you can make with this guide. I've had a lot of experience making these shots and it's even clear to see that the later the date gets, the better the quality became.

If you experience any problems or have questions, feel free to comment on my profile or add me to ask for help. I'm always glad to help people out.

Steps

• Step one.
  Go to options > video > advanced, and crank every setting up (fps doesn't matter because we're going to take screenshots).
  
  
  
• Step two.
  Choose "Create server" from the main menu and choose a map you like.
  
  
  
• Step three
  Open the console by pressing ~ (if it doesn't open go to your options > keyboard > advanced > enable console)
  
  
• Step four
  Enter the following command in the console and press enter:
  

  sv_cheats 1; noclip;

  
  
• Step five
  Go to a nice place in the map and enter noclip again in the console to turn it off.
  
  (koth_harvest_event in this example)
  
  
• Step six
  This is where the magic happens. Copy and paste the following list of commands in the console:
  

  cl_drawhud 0;
  c_maxyaw 360;
  c_minyaw -360;
  thirdperson;
  cam_idealyaw 150;
  cam_idealdist 100;
  cam_idealdistup -50;
  cam_idealdistright 70;
  cl_showfps 0;
  tf_forced_holiday 2;
  

  
  
• Step seven
  Line the camera up properly. You can insert the following commands in the console to change the camera:
  "cam_idealyaw ###" Angle of the camera
  "cam_idealdist ###" Distance of the camera
  "cam_idealdistup ###" Place of camera on Y axis
  "cam_idealdistright ###" Place of camera on X axis
  (you can use your own values in stead of ###)
  
  Press the screenshot button (default = F5 or F12) to take the shot. Make sure you make more than one, so you can choose the best screenshot later on.

That's it, you're all done!

F.A.Q.

I made a small F.A.Q for some questions that keep popping up.

Q: How do I get my hud back and my camera normal again?
A: Disconnecting from the server should reset it. If it doesn't, restart TF2.

Q: Is it possible to get my character on the center or right side of the screen?
A: Yes, "cam_idealdistright 0" should move the camera to the exact center on the X axis and "cam_idealdistright -70 " should move the camera more to the left.

Q: Is it possible to taunt if I want to make a screenshot like this?
A: Taunting is a bit weird in this case, because it will position the camera behind your character again, but keeps the angles you entered before. If you want to taunt and make a good shot, I recommand using the command "host_timescale #" to slow down the speed on the server. Host_timescale 1 will be normal speed, 0.5 will be half the speed, etc.

Q: Is it possible to try on items I don't have on the screenshot?
A: Yes it is. You can type "itemtest" in the console to open a window where you can select any hat/misc you like. For more information on the itemtest command, you can read this guide.

Q: Can I make a screenshot like this from a replay?
A: Yes you can. Just go into your replay, find a good spot and type in "cl_drawhud 0" to hide your hud. More information about replay screenshots can be found in this guide.

Q: How do you get those nice lighting and shadow effects on your screenshots?
A: I make those using Photoshop. It's a bit to complicated to explain in this guide though. You can add me if you want me to help make a nice screenshot for you.

If you still have problems or unanswered questions, feel free to add me.

Examples

Here are some examples of screenshots I made with this technique:
(koth_king and cp_foundry)
(pl_barnblitz and koth_harvest)

[Zλxh]

Thank you very much, now with this I can take very good screenshots!

[PhantomPhan16]

cam_idealdistright and cam_idealdistup aren't working for me

[YM]

thanks!

[ReCommN]

Eh, I prefer SFM anyway, but this is a good alternative for users that are playing on from laptops to toasters.

[Revan]

Discount SFM. I like it.

[Azumarill]

cam_idealdist doesn't work for me either =/

[Elvira]

cam_idealdist is not working for me idk why

[Elvira]

thankz

[Tune]

Sure, as long as sv_cheats is enabled on the server it should work.

[Petite Fleur Sasha]

Hey, can you please tell me one thing - can I make such screenshots using console magic with a friend on my server? I mean, we won't have any problems like vac and stuff?