Reflections and Lighting

[Prushka]

After many failed attempts, I finally succeeded at making a reflective surface in Hammer. However, now I have this problem glitch where weird light streaks appear onto a model's reflection.
Here's what I'm talking about
http://i.imgur.com/mkgRbfk.jpg

and, after moving the camera very slightly

http://i.imgur.com/sIpUP27.jpg

I know SFM is a pretty old engine, and believe me, it wasn't my first choice to do in-game reflections. However, I'm a complete dofus when it comes to perspective, so I can't do the greenscreen or the rt_cameras trick (if anyone can help me with any of those I'd be really grateful).

[Bop]

What are your light settings? Sometimes, higher settings can cause artifacts like these.

[episoder]

how'd you do the mirror? it is still just a _rt_camera trick. make sure your light in sfm is not stuck in a wall or outside the map. that might create weird shadows.

[Prushka]

Thanks for your help, turns out it was the AO mask not aligning properly with the model's reflection. I've given up on creating mirrors in-engine, so I'll have to do the greenscreen trick. Does anyone have any advice or tutorial on how to make the right reflection angle?

[episoder]

okay. dunno why you don't get it done. rt_camera tricks are easy af. imho

the rest is just: entry angle = reflection angle. on the mirror surface. the camera vector from the other side thru it is... well... just mirrored... on the surface. x)