View source for Sprays

{{hatnote|''This page refers to sprays painted on surfaces in the PC version. For the [[tool]] that allows you to spray an image onto an item, see [[Decal Tool]]. For items that can be sprayed by that tool, see [[:Category:Sprayable items]].}}
[[File:Spray_Example.png|thumb|300px|An example of a user set spray being put on a wall near the RED spawn on [[Badwater Basin]].]]

'''Sprays''' are a feature of the PC version of Team Fortress 2 that allow players to "spray" ([[List of default keys|default key:]] {{key|T}}) their own images on surfaces within a game server such as walls, ceilings, or floors instantly.

Sprays are somewhat disabled on [[Casual Mode]]; while players can still spray their images, other players will not be able to see them.

== Technical ==
The image file can be uploaded to your spray list via the Multiplayer menu by selecting the spray of your choice to be imported from your steam directory. The image file must be converted to a {{code|.vtf}} [[vdc:texture|texture]] file combined with a {{code|.vmt}} [[vdc:material|material]]. The game can automatically convert {{code|.jpeg}} and {{code|.gif}} files (though not animated gifs). The game will generate the material file for you if you don't create it yourself. All sprays must be no larger than 512 kb size wise, or they won't show up in game.

Sprays are automatically stored in the Steam cloud, but can, like all other Steam cloud files, be ignored by the client.

They can be either enabled or disabled in the game's [[Multiplayer options]] tab, but how many are displayed at once, if any, is dependent on the value that mp_decals is set to by the [[Servers|server]] you are playing on. The value must be above 0 to show sprays, and the higher the value, the more sprays that can be loaded at once. The {{cvar|sv_pure}} console variable can also disable sprays from being displayed.
 
In-Game screenshots that have been saved using the games screen capture system (default key: {{Key|F5}}) are already formatted to be used as sprays but will most likely have reduced image quality and be illegible to other players.

==Uses==
Sprays are used by players for many reasons including;
* To advertise clans or groups
* Lighten up the tension of a match with comical sprays
* To leave their mark on the world using it as a signature
* To entertain other players
* To distract other players
* To warn players

The practical application of sprays in-game is almost non-existent, although they can sometimes be used to distract enemies by making them believe that there are certain obstacles in their way that in most cases would want to be avoided such as distant[[Sniper|Snipers]], [[Sentry Gun]]s, or [[Stickybomb Launcher|Stickybombs]].

Another use for sprays is for [[Spy|Spies]] to lay a trap for unwary opponents. A Spy equipped with a [[Cloak and Dagger]] can place a spray and then lie in wait for an enemy to stop and look at it, [[backstabbing]] them while their guard is down.

Another use for sprays is for advertising items for [[trading]] purposes. These sprays can serve to gather the attention of other traders in the server.

A more practical use of sprays is to warn players of location specific obstacles, such as a sentry or a Spy in the area.

There are sprays Engineers will sometimes put next to their [[Teleporter]] that denote which classes should use the Teleporter first. These lists generally put the Engineer himself on top, since he has to maintain his buildings, and the Scout on bottom, since a level 1 Teleporter charge rate would be about as fast as the Scout running to the frontlines on foot.

== Update history ==
{{Update history | '''{{Patch name|9|28|2007}}'''
* Added option to disable Player sprays.

'''{{Patch name|11|7|2007}}'''
* Fixed crash on importing spray logo that claimed to be a valid jpeg file, but wasn't.

'''{{Patch name|1|25|2008}}'''
* Fixed crash caused by trying to import a custom player spray.

'''{{Patch name|2|14|2011}}'''
* Fixed a client crash caused by malformed custom client spray.

'''{{Patch name|4|14|2011}}'''
* Fixed a couple cases where custom sprays would not import correctly.

'''{{Patch name|5|2|2013}}'''
* Fixed user sprays not working.

'''{{Patch name|6|11|2015}}'''
* Fixed a remote code Execution bug and a crash related to malformed custom spray files.}}

==Spray Resources==
* [http://www.gamesprays.com/sprays/team-fortress-2/ Game Sprays : Don't Say it, Spray it!]
* [http://www.gamebanana.com/sprays/games/297/ Game Banana]

[[Category:Gameplay]]