# Newbie's Guide to SFM

## PART 1

### 1. How do I use SFM

Firstly, go to SFM youtube channel and watch the tutorials provided to learn the basics like opening map, spawning model and more. You can't do anything if you know nothing about the basics:

  - Basics
  - Recording
  - Editing
  - Sounds
  - Manipulating
  - Time selection
  - Graph editor
  - Puppetering
  - Locks
  - Lipsync
  - Lightings
  - Particle effect
  - Pose-to-pose animation - PART 1
  - PART 2
  - PART 3

If you're looking fore intermediate to advanced tutorials, skip to PART 4, #1 down below.

If you want to look for advanced stuff, quick reference, FAQ, and tips go to [SFM DOCUMENTATION WEBSITE](https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Category:Source_Filmmaker)

TIPS: Pay attention to everything the videos say and show. Take note, take a screenshot or download the videos if you can.

BONUS: You can follow the tutorials easier by opening the tutorial session files at "steam/steamapps/common/sourcefilmmaker/game/tf_movides/elements/sessions/tutorials".

### 2. NO SESSION ON THE VIEWPORT SO I CAN'T DO ANYTHING

When a 'create a new session' windows pops up, DON'T CLOSE IT! You need to create new session file in order to do something. If you did close that window, go to the top of the SFM window, go to 'file > new' and create a new session.

### 3. I "ACCIDENTALLY" CLOSED ALL MY LAYOUTS AND IT'S ALL GREY SCREEN / THERE'S NOTHING IN THE SFM WINDOW

You see a little 'X' icon at the corner of each of the layouts, DON'T TOUCH IT! Why bother closing them anyway?