Phong, Specular, and Bump Map Comparisons

This guide shows comparisons between various mat_phong, mat_specular, and mat_bumpmap settings.

Introduction

NOTE: You might have read this guide before. It's been mostly the same ever since I uploaded it, but I've updated it as of 6-20-20. It contains all the same information, and more.

If you've noticed that Australium weapons or the classes don't quite look right, or you want them to look different, this could be due to one or more of your material settings: mat_phong, mat_specular, and/or mat_bumpmap. If any of these settings are disabled (set to 0), it is likely you have or had lowered your graphic settings at some point. Regardless, below, I will show you with some example screenshots of what these settings do and how they affect these weapons along with other things in the game.

It is important to note that this guide is not meant to be a performance-increasing guide, but rather, just a comparison of various settings so you can make your own choice.

Changing these Settings

If you want to change any of these settings, there are multiple ways to do it. The commands are either enabled (1) or disabled (0). So, to disabled phong, it would be "mat_phong 0".

One way is to use the console, which must be enabled first. Simply entering the commands one at a time or separated by semicolons will allow you to set them. Depending on if you have a configuration file, this may or may not be a temporary change, resetting when you reboot the game. Using the console is better for testing, and once you are satisfied, you can use one of the other methods below to save it permanently.

Another method is to add the line to your autoexec.cfg, located within the cfg folder in the Team Fortress 2 directory. CFG files are basically text files that are used for configuration, so you can just open it using Notepad. If it is not there, you can create a new text file and rename it to autoexec.cfg (be sure it's not autoexec.cfg.txt). You can put any command you wish to change on separate lines or separated by semicolons. The autoexec file will automatically execute every time you boot up the game, so any changes here will persist between sessions.

The last method is to edit any downloaded pre-made configuration file(s) that you may have downloaded in order to get more performance from the game. Typically, to get a higher frame rate, these settings are disabled.

Default Settings

Below is a screenshot of default settings. That is, having mat_phong, mat_specular, and mat_bumpmap enabled (set to 1). This is how the game is "intended" to look, but that doesn't mean you want it to look this way, either out of personal preference or a desire for a higher frame rate.



You can click on any of these images to get a larger view.

Phong

The mat_phong setting enables or disables Phong shading. Essentially, this affects the lighting and shadows on weapons and characters. You can read more about it here or here[en.wikipedia.org], if you are interested. Below is a screenshot with "mat_phong 0" and the other two unchanged:



As you can see, the Solider looks a bit darker, but a bit more cartoony, somewhat like the original TF2 trailers. However, the non-gold bits on the Rocket Launcher also have a gold sheen. This might be a desired effect, but it is not intended.

Specular

The mat_specular setting enables or disables specular reflections. Essentially, this affects the reflections of the environment on weapons, characters, or environmental objects. You can read more about it here or here[en.wikipedia.org], if you are interested. Below is a screenshot with "mat_specular 0" and the other two unchanged:



As you may have noticed, not much at all has changed with the Soldier or the weapon. However, in the background, you might have noticed that the window is no longer reflecting the light. Any object that would otherwise reflect the world no longer does.

Bump Maps

The mat_bumpmap setting enables or disables bump maps. Essentially, bump maps are a way to make a flat image seem like it has depth, for example, making an image of a brick wall look like the bricks are rough and the mortar sunk in. You can read more about it here, if you are interested. Below is a screenshot with "mat_bumpmap 0" and the other two unchanged:



Disabling these bump maps cause Soldier's shading to look a bit different, and the pebbles on the ground and the rocky wall in the background don't as textured as they used to. These last two are more noticeable when you are in game and can move about. Oddly, the sheen on the weapon has changed from a gold color to a white, silvery color.

All Disabled

Below is a screenshot showing all three settings disabled. Visually, it combines the changes of all the settings with the additional effect of making the weapon look like a dull bronze rather than a shiny gold. This effect on the weapon can also be achieved by disabling mat_phong and mat_specular, but leaving mat_bumpmap enabled.

Final Notes

This guide is simply meant to show the difference between various settings. This guide isn't meant to explain the technical side of each setting. If you'd like to contribute some information that I have left out, feel free to add me on Steam. Otherwise, any input, including any errors I have made, you can share with me in the comments.

Additionally, I'd like to add an animated image to this guide to show off the differences better, but the plugin I used to use in Paint.NET software no longer seems to work. If you happen to know of a solution, let me know. I'll update the guide with an animation once I figure this out.

[Myst]

i love you
thank you
for
explaining
it
that
simple

[crow]

DUDE, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I had all my things disabled and my grenade launcher looked like shit. This is a great community post.

[wetpaperhat]

do you still see the sheen on spec and pro ks with mat_spec 0?

[HcaryZ]

when I put mat_specular to 0. It still has the weird ugly shine on models. How do I fix that?

[Tricky Biz]

Thank you, this helped alot with something I'm working on!

[Technomancer]

simbsmacat you probably have an autoexec or some other file that is settings these settings when you launch the game. Try also checking your Steam launch options for TF2.

[simbsmacat]

with bump maps when i enter the command it works but when I log out then log back in its back to 0 so how can I keep bump maps on?

[sir violet]

Its ok. I fixed it well before you replied :p

[Technomancer]

A lot of work. Glad you fixed it. Sorry I wasn’t much help

[sir violet]

That never solved the problem but I deleted my config/default too, uninstalled and reinstalled tf2 put dxlevel 91 in launch options and was back in business