Importing a Custom Spray on Linux / Steam Deck

This guide is mirrored from the blog "Do It On Linux " and was not created by myself. The original can be found here:
https://doitonlinux.blogspot.com/2015/04/custom-spray-in-l4d2.html

A .vtf file can be created using this site:
https://rafradek.github.io/Mishcatt/

Importing a Custom Spray on Linux

A common problem problem in Left 4 Dead 2 in Steam on Linux seems to be when attempting to import sprays, resulting in the error:

Spray Import Error
Unable to write output spray file. It's possible the current user doesn't have permission.



Whether this happens in other source games also, I do not know, however the fix should be the same.

L4D2 seems to perform half of the action needed, it just has problems when copying the actual image file into the folder it needs to be in.

So here is the remedy:

1) Start by attempting to import a VTF spray image in game.

2) Close the game (this is to reset where the file location opens).

3) In your favourite file browser go to the location of:
/home/user/.local/share/Steam/SteamApps/common/Left 4 Dead 2/left4dead2/materials/vgui/logos/custom
Replacing user with your user name (it's probably best to navigate to it yourself in case of cap sensitivity).
If you have an alternate method for getting to your steam folder it should also work.

4) You should notice a VMT file with the name of your spray, in my case; DoItOnLinux.vmt
In that same folder copy your VTF file, in my case; DoItOnLinux.vtf


5) Start the game again.

6) Go into Options then into Multiplayer.

7) Choose Spraypaint Image and you should see that you now have the option Custom Logo.


8) Click Custom Logo and you will be introduced to an empty folder.

9) Type the name of your logo (it does not need the file extension), in my case; DoItOnLinux


10) Custom Spray everywhere!

[Cray]

<3 thank you, it was driving me nuts

[AyooFaded]

Someone should make youtube vid on this

[kratcy]

If "custom" doesn't exist, then just make it. I did that and it made it work

[marmarFishStickonator]

there aint no custom just a "ui"

[DaMu]

Get rid of the Steam Deck in your title, it's useless. How the hell do you do the copy-paste steps from the Deck? Needs to be more specific, as the in-game UI dialog box is impossible to use.

[belkka]

@vegan=protect_climat Thanks a lot! Indeed, instruction says that one have to import a VTF image. I also should have paid attention to step 4 which says to copy VTF file in the folder with VMT file

[John Dark Souls]

@belkka I had the same error and fixed it. Here's what I found out:
Valve has it's own texture format called .vtf
You can make your picture to a .vtf with this website https://rafradek.github.io/Mishcatt/
I got the error with my .jpg picture but not with the .vtf one and I was able to use the .vtf one ingame!

Happy spraying! :)

[belkka]

I have another error: "Unable to load vtex.dll. Try restarting steam to get the latest updates". Have updated steam (as well as all other packages on my Arch Linux system) and restarted the game and computer. I'm importing png/jpg/tga images though.

[Zorrillo Azulo]

Wicked Cool, Thanks to you and DoItOnLinux

[Synikal]

my favorite is amogOS