First Steps: Launching and Basic Navigation — Garry's Mod Guide

First Steps: Launching and Basic Navigation

Welcome to Garry's Mod! This guide will help you take your first steps into the ultimate sandbox experience. We'll cover launching the game, understanding the main menu, and navigating the initial setup to get you ready to spawn props, experiment with physics, and unleash your creativity in the virtual world.

To begin your Garry's Mod journey, ensure you have the game installed via Steam. Launch Garry's Mod by clicking the "Play" button in your Steam library. Upon starting, you'll be greeted by the main menu, which serves as your central hub for initiating new games, joining multiplayer servers, and accessing game settings.

The Main Menu:

The main menu typically features several key options:

• New Game: This is where you'll start your single-player adventures. Clicking this will present you with options to select a map, choose a gamemode, and configure basic game settings.
• Find Multiplayer Games: This option opens the server browser, allowing you to discover and connect to online servers hosted by other players or communities.
• Addons: Here, you can manage your downloaded content from the Steam Workshop, enabling or disabling addons as needed.
• Options: Access game settings such as graphics, audio, controls, and network preferences.
• Exit: Closes the game.

Starting a New Game:

When you select "New Game," you'll be prompted to choose a map. Garry's Mod comes with several default maps, such as gm_construct, gm_flatgrass, and gm_mall. For your first few experiences, gm_construct is an excellent choice, offering a large, open area with various structures and platforms perfect for experimentation. You can also select a gamemode here; "Sandbox" is the default and recommended mode for beginners, providing unrestricted access to tools and props.

Basic In-Game Navigation:

Once a map loads, you'll find yourself in the game world. The primary interface elements you'll interact with are:

• Spawn Menu: Press 'Q' (by default) to open the Spawn Menu. This is your gateway to spawning props, NPCs, vehicles, weapons, and tools. It's organized into various categories for easy access.
• Physics Gun: This is your main tool for manipulating objects. By default, it's bound to the left mouse button. You can use it to pick up, move, rotate, and freeze props.
• Tool Gun: Bound to the right mouse button, the Tool Gun allows you to interact with entities and apply various functions, such as welding, freezing, and controlling contraptions.
• Movement Controls: Standard WASD keys for movement, Spacebar for jumping, and Ctrl for crouching.

Keybindings to Remember:

Take your time to explore the Spawn Menu and experiment with the Physics Gun and Tool Gun on various props. The more you familiarize yourself with these basic controls, the quicker you'll be able to jump into more complex creations and gameplay.