How to go into Third Person in GMod

Nastrix By Nastrix


Garry’s Mod (GMod) enables players to explore physics experiments and construct devices while allowing role-playing across multiple scenarios. The most popular feature in GMod lets players toggle between first-person and third-person views. The default mode is first-person view but third-person view gives enhanced cinematic visuals and improves visibility of your character and surrounding environment. This guide teaches you how to go into Third Person in GMod

Open the Console

To switch to third person view in GMod, you’ll need to use the game’s developer console. Here’s how to open it:

  1. Launch GMod and load into a game or sandbox mode.
  2. Press the ~ key (tilde) on your keyboard to open the console. If the console doesn’t open, you may need to enable it in the game settings:
    • Go to Options > Keyboard/Mouse.
    • Find the option labeled Enable Developer Console and set it to On.
    • Save your settings and try opening the console again.

Enter the Third-Person Command

Once the console is open, you can enter the command to switch to third-person view. Type the following command and press Enter:

thirdperson

This will switch your camera to a third-person perspective, allowing you to see your character from behind.

If you want to customize the third-person view, you can adjust the camera’s distance and angle using additional console commands. Here are some useful commands:

  • Camera Distance: Adjust how far the camera is from your character.
cam_idealdist [value]

Replace [value] with a number (e.g., 100 for a closer view or 200 for a farther view).

  • Camera Height: Change the height of the camera relative to your character.
cam_idealheight [value]

Experiment with different values to find your preferred height.

  • Camera Angle: Adjust the angle of the camera.
cam_idealpitch [value]

This will return the camera to the default first-person perspective.

Binding Keys for Quick Switching

If you frequently switch between first-person and third-person views, you can bind keys to these commands. Here’s how:

Open the console.

Type the following commands to bind keys:

  • To bind a key (e.g., F1) to third-person view:
bind f1 "thirdperson"
  • To bind a key (e.g., F2) to first-person view:
bind f2 "firstperson"

Now, pressing F1 will switch to third-person, and F2 will switch back to first-person.

Tips for Using Third-Person in GMod

  • Role-Playing: Third-person view is great for role-playing servers, as it allows you to see your character’s animations and movements more clearly.
  • Building and Editing: When creating contraptions or structures, third-person can give you a better overview of your work.
  • Cinematic Screenshots: Use third-person to capture stunning screenshots or videos of your character in action.

Third Person Doesn’t Work in Certain Servers

Some gmod servers disable third-person mode to maintain immersion or for gameplay reasons. Check with the server admin if you encounter this issue.