The Tool Gun: Advanced Manipulation — Garry's Mod Walkthrough

The Tool Gun is arguably the most iconic and versatile tool in Garry's Mod, empowering players to manipulate entities in countless ways. While its basic functions are straightforward, mastering its advanced features unlocks a new level of creative potential for building, scripting, and general sandbox play.

The Tool Gun, accessible through the Q menu, allows you to apply various 'tools' to entities. These tools range from simple actions like welding and coloring to more complex functions like controlling NPC AI, creating constraints, and even manipulating camera perspectives. Each tool has its own set of options that can be accessed by right-clicking while the Tool Gun is active. Understanding these options and how they interact with different entities is key to advanced manipulation.

Advanced Tool Gun functionalities:

Weld Tool: Beyond basic welding, you can adjust weld strength, breakable welds, and even create hinge welds for moving parts.
Constraint Tools: Tools like the Pulley, Motor, and Rope allow for the creation of complex mechanical contraptions and moving structures.
Color Tool: Apply custom colors and transparency to entities, allowing for detailed visual customization.
NPC Tool: Control NPC behavior, set their targets, change their weapons, and even force them to perform specific actions.
Camera Tool: Create custom camera perspectives for cinematics or unique gameplay views.
Scene Camera Tool: Useful for creating detailed renders or screenshots of your creations.
Path Tool: Define paths for NPCs or entities to follow, enabling automated movements.

For example, to create a working drawbridge, you might use the Weld Tool to attach a hinge to two bridge sections and a static base. Then, use the Motor Tool to apply rotational force to the hinge, allowing the bridge to be raised and lowered. You could even use the NPC Tool to make a button that, when pressed, activates the motor, automating the bridge's operation.