Applications capable of modding HL2
3D modelling applicationsThe only real requirement that makes a 3D modelling application HL2-modding compatible, is that it must be capable of exporting in Studio Model Data format (.smd). Most won't support this format by default, so a third-party plugin must be used.
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(Commercial) 3ds Max
About:
Pros:
Probably the most common application for game design, therefore making lots of help/tutorials available.
Cons:
Trial Download (Official documentation)
SMD Import/Export Plugins (v5-8 | v9)
Although Cannonfodder's Import/Export scripts have not been documented to work in v8 of 3ds max, they will.
VTF Plugin (v6-9)
The VTF plugin is useful for model hacks as you don't need to decompile the materials into .tga(s) before being able to use them.
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(Commercial) Maya
About:
Unlike 3ds Max, Maya does not offer a 30-day trial download, however it does offer a free 'Personal Learning Edition' which has all of the features of the full version of Maya, but has a large watermark pasted onto any renders created in it. It is supposed to be capable of exporting (and presumably importing too) to .SMD format, although I haven't tested this personally.
Pros:
Cons:
Maya does not support periods (full stops) in its joint names, therefore causing weapon/npc replacements to take longer to do than other applications (see errors/solutions).
Personal Learning Edition (Maya PLE) Download (Official documentation)
SMD Import/Export Plugins for Maya v4-8
Although not mentioned to work in Maya v8, it will. It doesn't appear to work in v8.5, however.
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(Commercial) XSI
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(Commercial) Cinema 4D
About:
Pros:
Cons:
Current SMD plugin does not allow for exporting animations.
Trial Download (Official documentation)
SMD Export Plugin
You need to register download the Cinema 4D trial. -- I am unsure whether the SMD plugins are compatible with the trial (Get in touch if you know whether they are or not).
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(Commercial) Milkshape 3D
About:
Pros:
Cons:
Download (Official documentation)
Milkshape 3D is very cheap ($25 I think), but a 30 day trial is available - download as normal, but choose the 'Trial version' when installing.
No SMD plugins are required as Milkshape comes with the ability to export/import SMDs as standard.
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Wings3D
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Blender 3D
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XSI Mod Tool
About:
Pros:
Cons:
Download (Official documentation)
You will have to register (it's free) your version of XSI Mod Tool to unlock access to the SMD plugins.
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GMax
2D texturing/skinning applicationsThe only real requirement that makes a 2D texturing application HL2-modding compatible, is that it must be capable of saving in targa format (.tga).
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(Commercial) Adobe Photoshop
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(Commercial) Corel Paint Shop Pro
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The GIMP
About:
Pros:
Cons:
Download (Official documentation)
The newer versions of The GIMP now have the GTK+ included in The GIMP's install file so there is no need to download it separately.
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Paint.net
Model compiling applications
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StudioCompiler
About:
Pros:
Features an advanced but also friendly GUI, built-in model decompiler/material compiler and it can make the QC files for you.
Cons:
No longer officially updated, so some steam updates can cause some problems.
Official Download/Download (Erix920's fixed version)
I recommend you download Erix920's fixed version due to some errors being fixed that were caused by recent steam updates.
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GUI StudioMDL (recommended)
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StudioMDL (Built into the SourceSDK)
About:
Pros:
Unaffected by steam updates (no update-related errors).
Cons:
No GUI, is all command-line based, can be confusing for beginners, no automatic-QC generation.
Official documentation
Model decompiling applications
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MDLdecompiler (recommended)
About:
Pros:
Cons:
No longer officially updated, so some steam updates can cause some problems.
Official Download/Download (Erix920's fixed version)
I recommend you download Erix920's fixed version due to some errors being fixed that were caused by recent steam updates.
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StudioCompiler
About:
Pros:
Has the option to decompile the model's materials along with the model files.
Cons:
No longer officially updated, so some steam updates can cause some problems.
Official Download/Download (Erix920's fixed version)
I recommend you download Erix920's fixed version due to some errors being fixed that were caused by recent steam updates.
Material compiling applications
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VTFedit (recommended)
About:
Pros:
Can both compile & decompile materials, has an in-built texture previewer, grants access to edit VTF flags.
Cons:
Download (Official documentation)
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VTFtool
About:
Pros:
Cons:
No longer officially updated (replaced by 'VTFedit'), so some steam updates can cause some problems; no texture previewer; clumsy interface.
Download (See readme for documentation)
Material decompiling applications
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VTFedit (recommended)
About:
Pros:
Can both compile & decompile materials, has an in-built texture previewer, grants access to edit VTF flags.
Cons:
Download (Official documentation)
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VTFtool
About:
Pros:
Cons:
No longer officially updated (replaced by 'VTFedit'), so some steam updates can cause some problems.
Download (See readme for documentation)
Other applications
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GCFscape
About:
All models/materials for HL2 are stored in big archive files with the extension .gcf. This program allows you to explore these .GCFs and extract any of the files. These .gcfs are located in ".../Steam/SteamApps/".
Pros:
The only GCF viewer/extracter I know of, necessary for 'reskinning'.
Cons:
Download (Official documentation)
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Half-Life Model Viewer (HLMV - Built into the SourceSDK)
About:
An application used for viewing models that have been compiled for Half-Life 2. It is very commonly used for setting up $jointconstrain commands, testing skins, VMTs and many other model/material-related items. An essential for HL2 modding.
Pros:
The only model viewer for HL2, very useful for testing/debugging models/materials.
Cons:
Cannot view materials by themselves, they have to be applied to a model to view them.
Official Documentation
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Source MDL Texture Info
About:
Input a model file and this application will report back all texture directories it is using, and all of the textures it uses.
Pros:
Simple to use (drag a .mdl file onto the exe), very useful for debugging models/materials.
Cons:
Download
Am I missing something? Have I got my facts wrong? Got something to add? Get in touch!
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