[i]This is a quick tutorial I'm writing for a friend that'll like to see the TF2 models for drawing reference and that I'll share here:[/i]

[title][b]How to use the Source SDK's model viewer to view TF2 models and weapons.[/b][/title]

[subtitle]Getting the SDK:[/subtitle] (skip this step if you already have the Source SDK) First you have to know that the Source SDK (Software Development Kit) is a free tool provided by Valve- at least upon getting one of their games (Maybe just games with the hl2 engine, but TF2 is obviously okay)

To get it, open Steam: under the "Tools" tab, one of the available entries will be Source SDK: download it, if you haven't done so before. Once it's finished, you can start:

[subtitle]Loading a TF2 Model:[/subtitle] Step 1: In Steam, open the Source SDK, under the "Tools" tab.

Then in the window that pops select the Model Viewer Change the engine to "Orange Box" via the top drop-down menu. Change the game to "Team Fortress 2" via the bottom drop-down menu. Once done, double-click on Model Viewer to start it. [i](Screenshot 1)[/i]

Step 2: Load a model using the top menu option File> Load Model: a window full of folders will open. Scroll down until you find the folder named "player", open it. Pick any one of the .mdl, depending on which class you want to see (don't pick the ones with "animations" in the name)

Note: if you want to view a weapon, you might want to choose the one class whom the weapon belongs, preferably. [i](Screenshot 2)[/i]

Step 3:If the model looks weird, check the box named "Normal Mapping" on the menu at the bottom. [i](Screenshot 3)[/i]

[subtitle]Basic workings of the Model Viewer:[/subtitle]

-To rotate around the model, left-click on it and move while keeping the button pressed. -To move the model in the space, hold SHIFT down, left-click on it and move while keeping the button pressed. -To zoom on the model, right-click on it and move while keeping the button pressed. -To move the lighting on the model, hold CTRL down, left-click on it and move while keeping the button pressed.

To change pose, refer to the Step 3 of "Loading a Weapon". To change skin, refer to the fourth note, in the same step as above.

[subtitle]Loading a Weapon:[/subtitle]

EDIT: Thanks to Illuminatee. for the input.

[b]To load a weapon on standalone[/b], simply use File > Load Model just like with a character model- then follow the step 2 in "[b]Giving a weapon to the character model:[/b]" underneath.

Note: According to [b]Illuminatee.[/b], you can also do it by using File> Load Weapon (without a model loaded) but this as proven not working properly for me. Feel free to try both ways.

[b]Giving a weapon to the character model:[/b] Step 1: Once you got the character, load a weapon model using File> Load Weapon in the top options.

Step 2: Again on the big ROOT window, locate the folder named "Weapons", open it. Go in one of those sub-folders: cmodel, vmodel, w_model, and pick the one you wish to see. [i](screenshot 4)[/i]

Note: I think wmodel are "world" models and therefore those you see in third person and either c or v_ are the ones you see in first person view...but I'm not sure, so... play around and see what looks best. (sorry) Note 2: The unlockables are not in every folder, so look around.

Step 3: You'll notice the weapon floats ankwardly beside the character, who is in a standard idle pose. To change the pose to make him hold the weapon, change the tab in the menu at the bottom to "Sequence".

Note 3: Other tabs include "Render", "Model", "Flex", "Physics"... I suggest you only play with Render, Sequence and Model for simple viewing purposes.

To change the pose, use of of the numerous drop-down menus marked "ref" inside: you'll see a list of poses and animations. I suggest you try them out to see what they do, but the name is a good indication "Walking/swimming/standing/reloading" will tell you what the character does, and "PRIMARY/SECONDARY/MELEE" which weapon the character is holding. Therefore, if you chose the Heavy's shotgun, pick up a pose/animation marked "SECONDARY" for him to properly hold it. [i](screenshot 5)[/i]

Note 4: Under the "Model" tab is a drop-down menu (the one under the class name) with "Skin 1" written inside. You can select Skin 1 to 4 in that menu: it'll change to model Team color from RED to BLU and from both shades of Übercharge skins depending on your pick.

There, that is pretty much all I can think of now. You can unload the weapon using the top "File" menu, go back to previous models, etc. Mostly, play around to learn, like I did, to see what does what. I hope this could help, and if I forgot something or made a terrible error, feel free to tell me!

Your friendly neighbourhood Battlemedic, Celebren