What is a VTF spray converter?
A VTF spray converter turns ordinary image files – JPG, PNG, animated GIFs or videos – into the VTF format (Valve Texture Format) used by Valve’s Source engine. Games such as Counter-Strike: Source, Team Fortress 2 or Half-Life 2 use this format to display custom sprays in game. Our converter runs entirely in your browser – nothing is uploaded to a server.
Which file formats are supported?
The converter accepts the most common image formats:
- JPG / PNG – static images as a simple spray
- Animated GIF – exported as an animated VTF spray with multiple frames
- MP4, WebM, MOV, AVI – videos are split into individual frames and converted into an animated spray
For animated content you can freely choose the frame rate (5, 10, 15, 24 or 30 fps) as well as the start and end time. The result is provided as a DXT-compressed VTF together with a matching VMT material script.
Installing a spray in Counter-Strike: Source
After the conversion you get two files: the VTF file (the actual texture) and the VMT file (the material script). Both files need to be copied into the right folder of your Steam installation. For Counter-Strike: Source, for example, this is:
steamapps/common/Counter-Strike Source/cstrike/materials/vgui/logos/
Then start the game, go to Options → Multiplayer and select your new spray. If either file is missing, the spray will not display correctly in game.
Which content is not allowed as a spray?
Technically almost any image can be converted into a VTF spray – but you should pay close attention to the content when using it on public servers. Many servers have clear rules about which sprays are allowed, and violations can lead to a temporary or permanent ban.
As a general rule, you should not use the following as a spray:
- Suggestive or sexual content – explicitly forbidden on most public servers and can lead to an immediate ban
- Political symbols or propaganda – unconstitutional symbols in particular are illegal in Germany and must never be used
- Hate speech and discriminatory content – images that demean people because of origin, religion or other characteristics
- Advertising and commercial content – promoting external sites, products or services is usually prohibited on servers
- Copyrighted material – logos, brand names or images without a licence should be avoided
- Personal data of other people – photos or information about real people without their consent
On the 4played servers our community rules apply, which ensure respectful behaviour among all players. We reserve the right to report inappropriate sprays and take appropriate action.
Frequently asked questions about the VTF spray converter
Do I need to install anything?
No. The converter runs entirely in your browser and needs no additional software. JavaScript just has to be enabled.
Which engine versions are supported?
The converter supports both the older Source engine version (e.g. CS:S) and newer versions (CS:GO). You can pick the target game directly in the tool.
Why do I need a VMT file?
The VMT file is a text script that tells the Source engine how to render the texture. Without a VMT, the game does not recognise the VTF texture as a valid spray.
Is there a maximum file size?
Because processing happens locally in your browser, performance depends on your device. For best results we recommend images under 2 MB and videos shorter than 30 seconds. The finished VTF files must not exceed 256 KB (CS:S) or 512 KB (CS:GO), otherwise the spray cannot be displayed in game.
How can I reduce the file size of my spray?
There are several ways to shrink the VTF file: choose a smaller output resolution – sprays in Source engine games are displayed at 256×256 pixels at most anyway, so higher resolutions bring no visible benefit. For animated sprays it also helps to lower the frame rate or choose a shorter time range, since every frame is stored individually in the file. We also recommend the DXT1 compression format for images with 1-bit transparency, as it produces the smallest file. DXT5 should only be used for images with a smooth transparent background (PNG with alpha channel). As a rule of thumb: the smaller the file, the better.
