How to add a start cam to a TF2 map
Whats a Start Cam?
(if your new to mapping read this, if not feel free to skip this part)
A 'start cam' is a entity that controls what area or part of the map a player sees when he/she joins a server, so placement is everything. It is not uncommon for mappers to use this as a way to throw their name in front of a player (play CSS, most maps start you off facing a wall that says 'map made by...'), but i personally get annoyed by this and would suggest you set it up to look out over your map from a good viewpoint.
Sweet, How do i do it?
You will need to find the entity called infoobserverpoint and place it in your map where you want the player to see from. Remember placement is everything, a Start Cam in the right place makes a good first impression, but in the wrong place it can do just the opposite. Once you have the place picked out and the entity in place you need to aim it.
Select the entity and press 'Alt + enter' (or double click on the entity), and just have the info/settings window open for the next few steps.
Now then, to aim the entity you will need to pick your view. Maneuver you viewpoint in hammer so it looking out from inside the infoobserverpoint (see pic 2) and figure out exactly where you want the start cam to be facing. One way to find the exact center of the view is to click on the camera tool (or press 'shift c') and left click in the 3D view. This will allow you to turn any direction, and it will show a cross hair at the center of the screen.
Remember the info/settings window? Now its time to use it. Make sure smart edit is turned on (if it isnt you wont see the property you need to edit) and click on Pitch Yaw Roll, then click the Point At... button. Now click on the point you found with the camera's cross hair, which should be the center of the view. You should see the value for Pitch Yaw Roll change, and if you move back in the 3D view you should also see that the infoobserverpoint entity itself has turned and is now facing the point you clicked.
Now that you have the entity in place and aimed, all you need to to is make the settings/values below and your good to go.
settings (with smart edit turned on)
Name---------------leave blank
Team---------------set to 'any'
Pitch Yaw Roll-----(see above)
Start Disabled-----select 'no'
Assoc Team Entity--leave blank
Welcome Point------select 'yes'
FOV----------------leave set to '0'
Now click save, compile your map, and enjoy =)
Note that you can make a separate start cam for each side, view and set the options under the 'Team' dropdown. If you do this you will need a 3rd start cam to act as the 'welcome point' (what a player sees before selecting a team), the other 2 should not be set as the welcome point.
Feel free to PM me any questions
