Welcome to Stormworks: Build and Rescue – Photo Mode Guide.

Here are some helpful tips and considerations for using the Stormworks Photo Mode.
Except where noted, all images in this guide were taken by me, ArcherDude11.

Introduction to SS1

SS1.1 Preamble

We are glad you are here.

A Photographer’s Guide to Capturing Your Craft at Its Best Angles

. This guide will show you how to use Stormworks Photo Mode to your advantage. It is an important skill to have on the Workshop, where first impressions can make a Workshop submission or not. You may have seen this yourself when browsing the Workshop. However, it typically shows that more effort is put into making submission screenshots look visually appealing. This leads to more tremendous success within Stormworks Community.

Although this guide is still in its infancy, there is enough information to justify its publication.

SS1.2 Disclaimer

This guide is for new players to in-game photography or players who want to improve their Workshop submission screenshots. Blender rendering can produce “screenshots” that are more high-quality than any in-game screenshot. This guide will not help you master in-game screenshots. Please look elsewhere if you’re looking for a Blender tutorial.

SS2 Common Terminology

This section explains the terminology that is used throughout the guide. Refer to this section if you need clarification on a word or a keybind.

SS2.1.1 Photo Mode

This internal system allows the player to create screenshots in a first/third-person view.

SS2.1.2 Uncompressed Copy

A compressed version of a taken screen shot. For details, refer to SS3.2.

Screenshots Folder for SS2.1.3

The default screenshot folder which Steam writes new–but compressed–screenshots to.

Vehicle Staging SS2.1.4

This is a method where static vehicles are used to props. See SS4.4 for more details.

SS2.1.1 Photo Mode

This internal system allows the player to create screenshots in a first/third-person view.

SS2.1.2 Uncompressed Copy

A compressed version of a taken screen shot. For details, refer to SS3.2.

Screenshots Folder for SS2.1.3

The default screenshot folder which Steam writes new–but compressed–screenshots to.

Vehicle Staging SS2.1.4

This is a method where static vehicles are used to props. See SS4.4 for more details.

SS2.2 Keybinds

SS3 Ground School

Your first lesson is here! Section 3 is designed to help you get familiar with Photo Mode’s operation and usage before you attempt your first photoshoot. Follow this link to learn more. Start by loading a world, then navigate to the right location .

Section 3 will provide additional images to help you locate the tools. For guidance purposes, my Rhino MRAP will serve as the subject of the photos.

• Film Grain – Enables/disables Film Grain
• Film Grain Strength: Sets transparency for the Film Grain. Lower values increase transparency of the Film Grain.

• Field of View: Adjusts the angle at which the camera’s view boundaries are set. Lower values result in closer view borders.
• Roll With Player: Sets the vertical axis of the camera to the vertical axis of the player.
• Camera Roll– Adjusts the camera’s roll rotation. Lower values will cause the camera to roll to the left.
• Hide Player: Toggles visibility of the character.

• Field of View: Adjusts the angle at which the camera’s view boundaries are set. Lower values result in closer view borders.
• Roll With Player: Sets the vertical axis of the camera to the vertical axis of the player.
• Camera Roll– Adjusts the camera’s roll rotation. Lower values will cause the camera to roll to the left.
• Hide Player: Toggles visibility of the character.

• None
• Black & White
• Sepia
• Cyan
• Red
• Cross Process 1
• Cross Process 2
• Cross Process 3
• Grey/Green

• Logo – Sets the Stormworks logo’s position. These are the positions:
  • None
  • Black & White
  • Sepia
  • Cyan
  • Red
  • Cross Process 1
  • Cross Process 2
  • Cross Process 3
  • Grey/Green

   

• Logo Color: Sets the Stormworks Logo’s color. These colors are:
  • None
  • Black & White
  • Sepia
  • Cyan
  • Red
  • Cross Process 1
  • Cross Process 2
  • Cross Process 3
  • Grey/Green

   

• Override Time – Enables/disables photo time override.
• Time of Day – Sets the time of the day.

• Vignette Distance: This is the distance from the center of your screen to the Vignette’s start. Lower values will result in a larger Vignette.
• Vignette Strength – Sets the Vignette’s transparency. Lower values increase transparency of the Vignette.

• Override Time – Enables/disables photo time override.
• Time of Day – Sets the time of the day.

SS3.2 Pre-Shoot Setup

Before we start our first photoshoot we need to make all the preparations and set up the collection of uncompressed screenshots. Navigate to Steam > Settings> In-Game in the top bar of Steam to access the menu. Make sure to check the box that says “Save an uncompressed version” . If you have not previously specified a screenshot folder, the application will ask for permission to create or select a folder to save uncompressed copies.

You can still save compressed copies in the game’s screenshots folder. These can be accessed using the following procedure.

1. Take a screenshot using F12.
2. Navigate to Library > stormworks > Post Game Summary in the middle of the page.
3. Right-click the screenshot, and click “Manage Screenshots”.
4. Click the “Show on Disk” button at the bottom.

A quick tip: Make the default screenshot folder easily accessible without moving it. You can do this by creating a shortcut or adding to the quick access.

Photo Categories for SS4

This section contains tips and tricks for reproducing the scenes from the sample photos.

Photos from SS4.1 “Amber Sunset”

My personal favorite is the Amber Sunset category. These photos are a focus on the red colors in the scene. This is done by filtering and time-of day adjustment. These images are best filled with natural features such as mountains, forests, and water-horizons.

Tips

• Maximize the FOV and maximize the amount of sun/moon visibility (if applicable).
• You should set the timer so that the foreground is as monochrome as possible, while maximising the background’s color options.
• Use a color filter like Cross Process 2 or Red to enhance your photography.
• To blend the background layers together, set the atmosphere to a light fog.

Comparison

Photos from SS4.2 “Night Owl”,

There are many variations of the “Night Owl” category, but most of them look identical to the one above. Although they are more difficult to curate night-vision photos can still look very appealing.

Tips

• If you are taking a night photo, ensure that all light sources that could affect the shot are either controlled or desired. Excessive flares and similar can cause more damage than good.
• Consider changing the logic of vehicle lights if they are not on a blinking pattern and you want them to flash in a shot.
• You should keep the background and foreground colors in balance when taking night shots.
• Zoom in if you have Night Vision Binoculars. Then, activate photo mode. The FOV will be locked lower than the minimum, and the player character will not be visible. You can soften the brightness by strategically pausing and unpausing the image.

Comparison

Photos from SS4.3 “National Park”.

These photos belong to the “National Park” category as they are similar to the designs on US National Park Posters. These photos have amazing gold tints because they make the most of the yellow colors and match the time of the day.

Tips

• To produce the main yellow tint, use the Cross Process 3 filter.
• Use the binocular trick described in SS4.2 for long-range mountain shots. However, you should use regular binoculars.
• To create the illusion of an inclined camera, tilt the camera.
• You should find a nice blend of horizons at different distances, especially when working in the mountains.

Comparison

Photos from SS4.4 “Extreme weather”

Extreme Weather photos look exactly like they sound: photos that depict extreme weather events, such as natural disasters and heavy precipitation.

Tips

• You can adjust the atmosphere to suit your needs, such as increasing the fog or changing the direction of the wind.
• If you are working with heavy rain or snow, adjust the contrast.
• Vignette can be used to make fog look more prominent.

Comparison

Photos from SS4.5 “On The Job”

Another category is exactly what it sounds. The vehicles in the photo are performing the tasks that they were intended to.

Tips

• Many photos taken on the Job are suitable for multiple vehicles within a single frame. It is a good idea to stage the vehicles in the desired location using the Addon Editor.

Comparison

I hope you enjoy the Guide we share about Stormworks: Build and Rescue – Photo Mode Guide; if you think we forget to add or we should add more information, please let us know via commenting below! See you soon!