Realistic lamps
Usually I just take a prop_static of a lamp and add a "light" entity next to it. Recently I started to experiment with an entity "light_spot" and noticed a problem. When I place a light source next to a lamp, there is light but it doesnt look like the lamp itself emits it. The lamp is dark but there is light in the room which looks pretty disturbing especially in small rooms. Ive checked some levels in portal and there is a perfect simulation of a lamp emiting light (glass lights and other underground lights). So here is my question: how does one light up the lamp prop itself?
P.S. It looks very disturbing, imagine yourself a turned on light bulb that doesnt glow O.o
I know that a guide on valve developer website for glass light shows you a way to make it with a glowing texture, but I need it for regular lamps (with lightbulbs, like the ones that are underground). Im thinking of just sticking the texture inside a lightbulb, but I doubt that it will work.
Which lamp prop are you suggesting to specifically? If you open the lamps properties (double click it or alt+enter), then double click "World Model", and check the tab "Skins". Most of the lamps have a skin for it when it's lit and not lit. Some lamps even have different colours. Unfortunately some lamps lack different skins which makes it more difficult to work with.
I used a lamp in my map that didn't have a satisfying lit skin. So I directed a light_spot directly at it (luckily the lamp was circular just like the light_spot). Add some glares and a lot of adjustments to make it feel just right. Balanced is what I try to go for. At times I see maps where the creator has overdone the light so it doesn't look realistic. You can get a theatrical appearance of the light and still make it look realistic.
Oh, I completely forgot about prop skin changing. I dont remember the name of the prop but I suspect it does have a skin with working lightbulbs. And if not, ill try your way of balancing. Thanks a lot! 
In valve maps they often add an env_sprite in front of the lamp to make it "glow". There's instances in instances/lights/ for basically every prop, setup with this for you. I usually use these instead of just placing the prop, since they also have a light with the right colours for that lamp.
[spoiler]- BEE2 Addons | (BEE2)
- Hammer Addons
Maps:
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Sprite or better set of sprties will do magic.
Oh thanks, mates, ill definitely try that. 