A Basic Introduction to SFM and Thank You for the 15k Milestone!

TRANSCRIPT:
Hello everyone!
I wanted to say thank you for the 15,000 subscribers and taking intrest into SFM shorts, whether they be original or not. As a way to show my appreciation, I’ve decided to teach newcomers the basics of Source FilmMaker.

First you need a map to start anything!
Cntrl+L is the fastest way.
From here on out – click this button to add anything new.
Let’s start out with cameras.

Create a new camera this way and you can switch it by clicking this button on the viewpoint window.
On this pane your options are here.
Can’t move or change them? You’re in the clip editor of the timeline! Like the name states it’s used to edit clips, not motion. Switch it in these icons near the timeline. The motion and graph editor are used to edit the movement of models.

Once in the second tab aka the motion editor you can now adjust the camera settings!
Set-up your camera by controlling it either using these buttons which are quick keyed to Q W E and R. OR with the WASD keys, Z and X to adjust the height.– The work camera acts as a camera that is only used for reference when working with a lot of stuff and wont reflect the final product.

Next up player models!
This is essentially the exact same thing, and the model will load at the camera
Load a new model like a camera.
Hold Ctrl to Click on his bones on points and move him around just like the camera.

Holding shift in the timeline and selecting parts allows you to edit the model in the selected time only. Cntl+A selects everything so the entire timeline is edited.
Doing so is essential since your goal is to basically make Storyboard in motion.
Selecting the points in-between you can have various options, but most essential is smoothing and rounding.
Hold shift and use the scroll wheel to select an ease in and out area.

Making a hand animated movie is done through this method, and smoothing the in-betweens to make movement seem natural.

Lights!
Same thing as before, the light will spawn at the camera, infact everything will.
Just like a model, move it around to your liking, and like the camera adjust it’s settings in this pane here.

Notice a pattern yet?
That’s right! Everything is controlled the same way! Even rounding and smoothing!
This can lead to some really cool stuff!

Once you have all of your models animated to your liking, head back to the clip edit and hit B to splice up the cameras. Change each scene the exact same way how you changed cameras before.
Once done it’s time to export.To do go file, Export, and adjust your settings there.

After exporting your lovely SFM will be done!

Now you’re probably thinking how to record gameplay, lipsync, and copying animations from other games. Well Valve is much better at explaining than I am. just wanted to give you an understanding how this all works.

If you haven’t tried SFM give it a shot! It’s free on Steam with an ever growing Workshop. Take care my lovelies!

[ApertureEquine]

No unnecessary fillers, disclaimers, or anything else. This is how introductions are meant to be presented. Well done.

[TinyZu]

I HAVE LEARNED SO MANY THINGS IN SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME!!

[cappslock]

dude. easily the most to the point toutorial. thanks man

[DangerSFE]

This is the best tutorial about anything I have ever seen ever!!!!

Seriously though, I wish everything had a tutorial like this.  I would be done with college in like, 20 minutes.

[chimerschang]

More tutorials need to be done in this format. Seriously.

[BlazeHedgehog]

I know this is kinda supposed to be a joke, but actually this makes me want to finally try out SFM after years of wondering if I was knowledgeable enough to use it.

[pureradiants]

you're a king holy cow thank you!

[FUNKe]

I guess you're going for a stylistic approach but it isnt very lifelike when you just spline the end of poses into eachother. Esp when their entire body is static while their mouth moves or hands move, etc

[scribblecloud]

for anyone intimidated by sfm, i was too scared to try it for years but i did finally now and its actually not that bad, valves tutorials make it seem sort of more scary than it really is because they give you so much stuff to do which is personally why i dont like watching basics tutorials but it depends on how you like learning things

[darkspinekirby]

In my entire time of using SFM, I never knew you could make "Storyboard animations" for models using the Motion Editor. I always just used the Graph Editor for pretty much everything. This has opened my eyes and I thank you for the information!

[SillySniperSFM]

I don't care how old this video is, this was very helpful

[BebxOfficial]

Oh, the turbines again. But, this software does require some explanation. Here! I'll give you the fast version!
(This video)
Now, if you have any questions, just watch this video in slow motion!

[dcampi]

OMFG perfect intro! I just started with SFM and this makes every thing soooo much easier!

[baurbongreeny]

Thanks dude now i can start my sfm career

[garikm]

Finally an tutorial that is not 90% talking and 10% tutorial

[fiberglassribcage]

LITERALLY EVERYTHING I WANTED TO KNOW 🤯🤯‼

[rniii_]

10/10tutorial! Fast, pretty, cool, explainable, detailed, basics! JUST in 2minuts! Valve made 50min tutorial but who ever wanna watch this whole when you will forget mostly and you can find shorter and learn with the time?

[ClipOriss]

This was really fun to watch and, for what ever reason, so much easier to understand than any other tutorial!

[gamemaster]

Wow, I just started SFM yesterday and found this video by accident in my subscriptions. Thanks.

[cromwell]

HOLY SHIT THAT WAS THE MOST INFORMATIVE MINUTE OF MY LIFE