Frequently Asked Questions
Categories
Recent FAQs
Question
Answer
What is LERP?
"The Source netgraph now includes "lerp" indicator which shows the actual interpolation amount (usually 100 msec unless the server or user is forcing non-default settings). The indicator will turn yellow if the server's framerate (actual framerate on the remote machine) drops below this interval. This can be used to figure out why all of the objects in the world are no longer moving smoothly. In addition, the indicator will turn orange if the user or server has tuned the ConVars such that the interpolation amount is less than 2 / updaterate. This indicates that if there is any packet loss (or possibly choke if the choke is occurring for long periods of time due to large packets being sent over a low bandwidth rate setting) that the player will likely see sluggishness in the game."
In other words, the 'Lerp' stat is basically the hitbox delay between you, the server, and other other players, having this balanced out or synched with the server is very important.
How do I optimize my LERP?
New Source (OrangeBox) Engine Games (DOD:S, TF2, HL2: EP2)
Lower is better, white and yellow better than orange or red.
Try the following lines into the autoexec.cfg in the games/cfg directory:
cl_cmdrate "67"
cl_updaterate "67"
cl_interp ".033"
cl_interp_ratio "1"
rate "30000"
An interesting video of LERP and how it affects registration.
I cant log into a server with a custom map. There is an error message about a missing wad file?
A wad file maybe necessary for a custom map to run properly. Back in the day ( 10 years ago now) not all files were packaged in the map.bsp file and may not autodownload from a server. Some of the commonly missing files are:
List of *.wad files:
cstrike.wad
d4ms.wad
decals.wad
destruction_inc.wad
DoD.wad
GlobalAssault.wad
HotGlobal.wad
liquids.wad
megalith.wad
Monk2.wad
pak0mac.wad
PHL.wad
pine.wad
rd_fort.wad
rdm2.wad
Revulation.wad
sgh1dm.wad
tfc2.wad
tfc.wad
unearth.wad
xeno.wad
Download Wad Files
Does SunLit have L4D / L4D2 Servers?
We have 2 servers for your enjoyment.
Left 4 Dead 2
SunLit Apocalypse 69.90.119.182:27015
Left 4 Dead
SunLit Mall 69.90.119.182:27055
How do we play on the SunLit Servers instead of winding up on some random server through the matchmaking system?
There are two quick ways to find the SunLit servers.
1) Steam Group Menu
Join the public SunLit SteamGroup
You will then be able to access the servers directly through the Play Campaign --> Play on Steam Group Server or the scrolling Steam Group Servers Menus
2) Add the Sunlit server ips to the Favourite tab in the Left 4 Dead Steam Browser
* Enable Console or for you Euros
bind "F10" "toggleconsole"
* type in console "openserverbrowser" or you can bind the browser to a key in the autoexec.cfg
bind "key" "openserverbrowser"
You may or not see servers in the Internet or Custom Tabs
However, you can add the SunLit servers to your Favourites or after you have joined them once, you will be able to find them under the History Tab
Is there anything I need to add to an autoexec.cfg for optimum game performance?
Left 4 Dead follows the console game model of enforced default settings for the client.
However, the following can be added to an autoexec.cfg
//connection
rate "30000"
cl_cmdrate "40"
cl_updaterate "30"
cl_timeout 120 //since the Jan 23 2009 update
con_enable "1"
bind "`" "toggleconsole" // enables console
BindToggle "key" net_graph // toggles net_graph 1 on and off
bind "key" "openserverbrowser" // opens Steam server browser
How can we create a lobby AND stay on the SunLit servers?
The SunLit Mall server has the sv_search_key enabled
To create a lobby
1. Start up L4D.
2. Go to console, enter sv_search_key slzm. Close Console
3. Select Play Campaign or Play Versus
4. Select Play with Friends (if you're trying to get all your friends into the lobby first before adding more people)
5. Create Lobby
6. Select type (Campaign or Versus)
7. Set options then click Create Lobby
8. Have your friends join
9. Select Permissions, set to Public Game
10. Wait for others to join
11. Once it's full, hit start game. You won't be able to start the game in versus mode unless there are 2 players in the lobby.
You will then be assigned to your dedicated server(s) with the same key.
12. To switch game modes requires a return to the Main Menu. Repeat steps 2 - 11. The new game will start from the lobby and still at your server
**UPDATE April 26, 2010***
sv_search_key is working again
Please add the following to your autoexec.cfg
bind "key" "sv_search_key slzm"
You can also connect to a SunLit lobby by using the following:
Left 4 Dead
bind "key" "mm_dedicated_force_servers 69.90.119.182:27055,69.90.119.182:27065"
Left 4 Dead 2
bind "key" "mm_dedicated_force_server 69.90.119.182:27015,69.90.119.182:27025,69.90.119.182:27035"
How can I access the "old style" server browser ?
Three methods
- Open console and type in openserverbrowser
- bind "key" "openserverbrowser" in your autoexec.cfg
- add -serverbrowser to the Left4Dead Launch Options field
This last method adds the option of Server Browser to the Menu GUI
How can I force the matchmaking system to find servers with 100 ping or less?
How can I force the matchmaking system to find servers with 100 ping or less?
sv_search_max_ping 100
You can add this line to the L4D Launch Option
OR
Log onto L4D
Select Play Campaign or Play Versus
Search for lobby and cross your fingers that you get to be the Lobby Leader
Wait for players to join
Open ConsoleType in console sv_search_max_ping 100
Close Console
Start Game
**update Dec 2009**
Apparently the default search will be for servers < 150 ping
What is the Map List browser for?
The Map List (formerly known as Quick List ) browser is Valve's attempt to introduce a "quick match" function to TF2 and DODS. The servers are listed alphabetically based on the map name of maps you already have installed. They can not be arranged by latency or number of players.
The grey icon alone denotes that you have the custom map installed but no corresponding thumbnail for it.
Maps that you do not have installed are then listed alphabetically. They grey icon with the white arrow denotes a map that you will need to download.
How can I replace the default black and grey thumbnail in the Map List Server Browser for a coloured map pic?
You will need to install a map specific *.vtf and *.vmt file in order to see the map thumbnail. Hopefully, mappers will start including the *.vtf and *.vmt files in their map releases. These files do not "pakrat" into the *.bsp . Either the mappers or servers ops will also need to include a *.res file for in game downloads.
SunLit Games has thumbnail packs of the relevant files for previously released custom DODS and TF2 maps.
DODS thumbnails
DODS Orange and Prodod thumbnails
TF2 thumbnails
How can I make my own *.vtf and *.vmt files?
Adding a custom Map List photos for DODS or TF2
( this faq built upon http://forums.tf2maps.net/showpost.php?p=46706&postcount=1)
1. Use MrMuffinMan's tutorial to take a good picture of your map.
You can add the following binds to your autoexec.cfg for efficency
DODS:
// spectator screenshot without hud or orders
bind "key" "hidepanel all"
TF2
// spectator screenshot without hud
bind "key" "hidepanel all
bind "key" "sv_cheats 1;cl_drawhud 0"
2. Download this template and open it in your desired photo editor.
3. Resize your map screenshot jpg (128x96) and copy and paste onto the black area of the template.
4. Save the picture as menu_thumb_mapname.jpg (Note: the mapname must be exactly as your map is called on its filename, underscores and all).
5. Use VTFEdit or a similar Photoshop plugin to convert this file to a .vtf
To use the standalone VTFedit:
Install VTFedit
Create a shortcut on the desktop.
Drop the menu_thumb_mapname.jpg onto the shortcut
It will open up a menu
Click on OK
Then put checkmarks in No Mip Map and No Level of Detail.
This is to avoid blurriness for those computers using low graphic settings
Save as menu_thumb_mapname.vtf
6. Create the matching *.vmt file
Create a file in notepad with the following contents, once again replacing mapname with the full name of your map.
"UnlitGeneric"
{
"$basetexture" "vgui\maps\menu_thumb_mapname"
"$translucent" 1
"$ignorez" 1
"$vertexcolor" 1
}
Save this file as menu_thumb_mapname.vmt
7. Move both the *.vtf and *.vmt to:
team fortress 2/tf/materials/vgui/maps/
or
day of defeat source/dod/materials/vgui/maps/
creating the necessary folders if you don't have them.
8. Load up the game and look for a server running this map
Note: These files can not be "pakratted" into the *.bsp. They will have to be included seperately for map downloads from a web site and with a *res file for in game downloads.
Is there a way to make the players' names (target id) smaller on the screen?
Yes for L4D only
You can do so by editing the "TargetID" parameters in the Clientscheme.res file
Default is "tall" "16"
\Steam\steamapps\common\left 4 dead\left4dead\resource\Clientscheme.res
// purposely NOT using resolution overrides
"TargetID"
{
"1"
{
"name" "Trade Gothic"
"tall" "16"
"weight" "700"
"antialias" "1"
}
}
The flashing lighthouse in the L4D menu screen (04/21/09) gives me a headache. Is there a way to use the old background?
Navigate to the following folder
Steam\SteamApps\common\left 4 dead\left4dead\media
For restoration purposes, make copies of l4d_background.bik and l4d_lighthouse_bg01.bik
Rename l4d_lighthouse_bg01.bik to something else like l4d_lighthouse_bg01_BU.bik
Change the name of l4d_background.bik to l4d_lighthouse_bg01.bik.
The menu is now the original.
How can I change the L4D crosshair style and colour?
L4D allows for a default and "color blind" scheme for crosshair colour through the Options; Multiplayer; Color Blind menu
You can also change the crosshair characteristics manually in an autoexec.cfg file
A static crosshair
cl_crosshair_dynamic 0 // default 1
To change the crosshair thickness:
cl_crosshair_thickness # //default is 2, the higher the number, the thicker the crosshair
To change colors use the RGB scale 0 - 255:
The default crosshair colour
cl_crosshair_blue "220"
cl_crosshair_green "182"
cl_crosshair_red "138"
For a green crosshair, set it to
cl_crosshair_blue 0
cl_crosshair_red 0
cl_crosshair_green 255
To change crosshair transparency:
cl_crosshair_alpha # //255 default
The default is completely solid. The lower the number the more transparent the
crosshair.
cl_crosshair_alpha "255" //(default 255)
cl_crosshair_red "138" //(default 138)
cl_crosshair_green "182" //(default 182)
cl_crosshair_blue 220" //(default 220)
cl_crosshair_thickness "2" //(default 2)
cl_crosshair_dynamic "1" //(accuracy/recoil autosizing - default 1)
I see custom maps on the servers but I can't join.
L4D / L4D2 does not support in game custom downloads.
In order to play on a custom map, you must have it previously installed and it must eb the same version as playing on the server. You can download any custom maps playing on the SunLit servers from the Downloads section.
Left 4 Dead Maps
Left 4 Dead2 Maps
I haven't received a single drop item since the Sniper/Spy update.
To earn weapon drops you currently have to be signed into the Friends Network on Steam.
If you are not receiving weapon drops please ensure that you're signed in.
Steam > Friends > Sign In!
A player /bot was kicked and a new bot did not spawn in. Now a new player is unable to join. What can I do?
Open console and type in "sb_add" or you can add to your autoexec.cfg bind "key" "sb_add"
After the April 2011 update, helmets and boots are washed out or white. How do I fix this?
Add this to your autoexec.cfg
r_worldlights 0
