First of all YOU OPEN SFM!
you will see this loading screen:
Include a name for your project and open it.
You will have a black screen with in red letters "no map loaded".

Now you see those red letters you may be thinking: What now?
I'ts easy: right click the black screen and click on "load map"
Then you type what map you want.
Like you simply type: 2fort
It may take a while for the map to load, so feel free to do other stuff or think about what poster you're gonna make.

Now you need to place your camera somewhere right?
Just hold your mouse clicked on the screen and use the wasd keys to move!
When you ahve found a good spot then search on the screen for "camera 1" simply click on it and then you are in the work camera. The work camera is for like the name says Working.
now go to your timeline and click the SECOND icon under the word timeline.
Then, search for "animation set editor" and select create animation set for new model.
NOW AIT A BIT UNTIL EVERYTHING IS LOADED.
Then type the name of the class or whatever you search. (sentry,dispenser,spy,heavy)
Then you choose your class you want for your poster!
Now hes somewhere in the air!
Wait how do i move him?
Above your timeline you see 4 icons click the 3rd icon. (those arrows).
Now use the arrows to get your scout on the right spot on the ground.(make sure to click on work camera to get to your scene camera and look if he stands good!)
Now for the animation!
There are three things u can do for the animation.
First of all right click in the animation set editor your models name and lcick import sequence!
You find ALLOT of poses and animations you can try and edit!

Second of all.
click above the timeline the THIRD icon those rotating arrows.
Now press Ctrl and some things will appear on your model.
Click one of them and you get a few circles to ROTATE your models bones in the right way.
For example you can do a arm up or down left or right... You see?
So you can pose him like you want!
You can also combine this with poses you allready know.
Like combine it with import sequence.
Also dont forget to check your scene camera!

Now for the Face Expressions.
For this YOU NEED A TF_MOVIES MODEL!
What is this?
Create aniumation set for new model search for your model (i mean type first like scout) and look at the left side for the thing tf_movies.
With other models this doesnt work.
So click on your model and you will get on the right of ur animation set editor things liek eyes left:right or updown!
Just experiment a lil with this and u get it!

To add cosmetics.
Just click on your models name and click add team fortress 2 item.
Type the item name in.
Click the item.
And voila!
DO THIS AFTER YOUR POSING!
When adding weapons in import sequence dats easy that goes from itself.
When not.
You need to place this ALSO gud(dont forget to pose the fingers too).

To add lights!
Also create an animations set!
(you can move lights too)
Lightning is the same as face expressions!
remember that lightning can make your poster look VERY cool!
With photoshop even more!
(personally i use picmonkey.com)
But before you add lights you should darken your models.
Its simple: right click your models name (when you have a medic right click medic)
Select show in elementviewer -> animationset
then click the + at "gamemodel"
now right click illumpositiondag and do setelement -> dmedag -> dmedag
also do this with cosmetics and weapons

the steam workshop can really help you on your journey to becoming a pro!
Everybody puts animations and maps there so Use them to make everything look better!

This is the video from whta ive learned this all buth i keep learning!
Im not perfect... yet.

"How are my posters?"
They are ok. Use lower Field of view, reduces that fish eye look, add more weight and detail to characters, improve lights, add a bit of depth of field, and add render quality override to 1024.

Thanks for reading this guide (or skipping to the youtube video)
I can have made some spelling things wrong here and there buth i made this guide FAST i didnt have much time!
Maybe i forgot something (i think i did) Just tell em in the comments or give me some tips!
Also look at my artwork on steam!

I hope that you all will make this one time!

NOT MADE BY ME

Check out my guide too.
http://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=517570005

SAVE THE MELON!

http://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=534962793