Source Filmmaker

Source Filmmaker

215 ratings
Using TF2 Operation and Map Workshop maps in SFM
By 6000 ANGRY BEES
Learn how to decompress these maps so that SFM won't crash upon loading them.
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Introduction
Recently, Team Fortress 2 introduced a Map Workshop, allowing map authors to easily share thousands of maps that won't get played because they aren't on Valve servers. To solve the latter problem, Valve introduced CS:GO style operations in the Gun Mettle update to bring these maps to the uncultured masses.

Problem is, these maps use a new form of compression that SFM has not been updated to use yet. As a result, SFM will choke and die upon trying to load such maps.

Luckily, fixing it's really easy. Come along now!
Requirements
You'll need the following to do this:
  • Source Filmmaker. Obviously.
  • Team Fortress 2. It's free nowadays, ya know.
  • A general willingness to use Windows Explorer.
  • Some tea, coffee, or some other drink you'd have on a nice afternoon.

Got all that up and ready? Good! Let's go.
How To Get It On
First thing's first, run over to steamapps\common\Team Fortress 2\tf\maps and grab an affected map. For testing's sake, we'll use pl_borneo.

Copy it over to steamapps\common\Team Fortress 2\bin. Now, click the address bar at the top of the window, type "cmd" and press Enter. A command line prompt will pop up. Don't worry! We won't be here long.

Type in the following:
bspzip -repack pl_borneo.bsp
(or whatever map you copied in) and press Enter. Wait a couple of seconds for the text entry field to reappear to make sure things are done.

Now, you'll notice that the BSP file you copied here is a lot bigger. Take it and move it to steamapps\common\SourceFilmmaker\game\usermod\maps.

Now, treat yourself to a nice big swig of that drink I mentioned earlier. You've done it! I knew you'd be able to handle it, you handsome devil, you.
Troubleshooting
If you get a message about now being able to find a gameinfo.txt file, you need to set your environment variables. Here's how.

  • Open the SFM SDK.
  • Open the drop-down box at the bottom of the window and select whatever option is already selected (likely usermod).
  • A window will pop up asking if you want to do this. Click "OK".
  • Restart your PC, just to be safe.
Further Reading
You may need to manually update your TF2 assets to make sure everything looks right:
http://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=234952643

Some custom maps may not have HDR. Here's how to deal with that:
http://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=232594442
76 Comments
Porticus 14 Oct @ 8:47am 
For those still having the issue with 'bspzip is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program, or batch file.' move your map from "TeamFortress2/tf/bin" to "TeamFortress2/bin"
AMP1-1LOG 22 Jul @ 8:40am 
Thanks a lot!!
Red Flare 24 Oct, 2023 @ 10:46am 
I follow the Steps and it closes me
Chr0d0n 16 Sep, 2023 @ 8:32am 
Underrated guide, thanks for this!
OscarknightTF2 23 Jul, 2023 @ 9:35pm 
stone age brain activated
SilvortheGrand 17 Jun, 2023 @ 9:23am 
I've made a tool that essentially automates this process, so you don't have to paste commands around. You can find it on github: https://github.com/SilvortheGrand/sfm-repack-script
♥Xilekai♥ 12 Oct, 2022 @ 9:13pm 
But what if it still crashes SFM even after that? My current examples being snowy Doublecross and Los Meurtos.
Cakeinator 14 Jun, 2022 @ 5:43pm 
The command prompt is saying, "'bspzip' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program, or batch file." Can you help me out with this, i.e., is there a software or program I need to install?
ᛒᛚᚨᚲᚲᚹᛟᛚᚠᛖ 14 Dec, 2021 @ 4:48am 
Thx for this Guide but I have another Question is it normal for the added Maps having colorful Squares on different Parts of the map and the Face of the TF2 characters Here is a Screenshot of what i Mean : https://sta.sh/0sqfjfdsv2o
Wes 4 Oct, 2021 @ 12:36pm 
Normal maps are back to being able to be loaded! Seems those 20,664 files definitely made a difference.