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With the release of {{Src13|4}}, the default directory structure was changed to remove the restriction of having to save your game content into the <code>\sourcesdk</code> directory tree. This document explains how the [[Source SDK]] directory structure is set up.

== The Directory Structure Explained ==
The SDK directory structure is now set up so that game content directories are separated from game sources directories.

* '''Game content''' files are the actual files necessary to run the game textures, maps, models, etc.
* '''Game sources''' are the files that are used to create that game content (the "source" of the game content).

This table explains some of the different game content and game source file types in the SDK:
{{note|Since SteamPipe update in 2013, the {{path|username}} (tied to Steam account name) folder has been renamed to {{path|common}} folder.}}

{| class=standard-table
! File type         || Description           || Location
|-
| <code>.[[Valve Map Format|vmf]]</code>              || Map source files.                                   || <code>sourcesdk_content\<game name>\mapsrc</code></br>{{code|<game name>\sdk_content\mapsrc}} ({{l4dbranch|1}} and later)
|-
|<code>.[[tga]] .[[.txt|txt]]</code>         <span style="display:none">|</span>
|Texture source files.
|<code>sourcesdk_content\<game name>\materialsrc</code></br>{{code|<game name>\sdk_content\materialsrc}} ({{l4dbranch|1}} and later)
|-
|<code>.[[SCN|scn]] .[[SMD|smd]] .[[qc]]</code>      || Model source files.                                 || <code>sourcesdk_content\<game name>\modelsrc</code></br>{{code|<game name>\sdk_content\modelsrc}} ({{l4dbranch|1}} and later)
|-
|&nbsp;{{ent|.bsp}}              || Map content files—compiled game maps.             || <code><game name>\maps</code>
|-
|<code>.[[.mdl|mdl]] .[[VTX|vtx]]</code>          || Model content files—compiled game models.   || <code><game name>\models</code>
|-
| <code>.[[vmt]] .[[vtf]]</code>         || Texture content files—compiled model skins.     || <code><game name>\materials\models</code>
|-
| <code>.[[vmt]] .[[vtf]]</code>         || Texture content files—compiled brush textures.     || <code><game name>\materials</code>
|}
The following image shows the default locations for these files and folders:

[[File:developer-contentfolders.jpg]]

{| class=standard-table
| '''Steam Install Directory'''      || The location where you've installed Steam.
|-
| '''Game Content'''                 || The game content is here, with all the files necessary to run each game under each game directory. <br>Games run on {{src13|4}} and {{l4d|since}} (Authoring Tools) will have it's SDK installed in the same location as the game itself.
|-
| '''SDK Tools'''                    || The location of the applications necessary to create and compile SDK content. The tools only works with {{src09|4}} and earlier.
|-
| '''Content Sources'''             || Directories for each of the types of game content sources are here, with a set of directories for each game you want to create content for. '''SDK sample content is also stored here.'''</br>These are moved to {{code|SourceSDK\sourcesdk_content}} and {{code|depot_211_dir.vpk\sourcesdk_content}} after SteamPipe.</br>SDK sample content in Left 4 Dead (and later branches), some Source games are located in {{code|<game name>\sdk_content}}.
|}

== Examples of Using This SDK Directory Structure ==
Here are some practical examples of how this structure is used:
=== Compiling a {{Css|2}} map ===
# Launch the [[Hammer]] map editor from the '''SDK Tools Directory'''.
# Save the map as a [[VMF]] into the <code>cstrike\mapsrc</code> directory, which is under '''Content Sources'''.
# Compile the map inside Hammer. The map is compiled as a [[BSP]] and automatically placed in the <code>cstrike\maps</code> '''Game Content''' directory.

=== Creating a texture for {{Hl2dm|2}} ===
# Create a texture in an [[image editor]], and save it as a [[TGA]] in the <code>hl2mp\materialsrc</code> directory, which is under '''Content Sources'''.
# Compile the texture with <code>[[Vtex (Source 1)|Vtex.exe]]</code>, which is in the '''SDK Tools Directory'''.
# The texture is compiled as a [[VTF]] file and automatically placed in the <code>hl2mp\materials</code> '''Game Content''' directory.
# Create the [[VMT]] material file with a [[text editor]], and save it in the <code>hl2mp\materials</code> '''Game Content''' directory.

=== Creating a model for {{Hl2|2}} ===
# Create an [[SCN]] model in [[Softimage Mod Tool|XSI EXP]], and export it as an [[SMD]] in the <code>hl2\modelsrc</code> directory, which is under '''Content Sources'''.
# Create the .QC model definition file with a [[text editor]], and save it in the <code>hl2\modelsrc</code> directory, which is under '''Content Sources'''.
# Compile the model with <code>[[Studiomodel|Studiomdl.exe]]</code>, which is in the '''SDK Tools''' Directory.
# The model is compiled as a [[MDL]] and automatically placed in the <code>hl2\models</code> '''Game Content''' directory.

For in-depth descriptions of these procedures, see the appropriate section of the Source SDK Documentation.

[[Category:Files]]
[[Category:Source SDK FAQ]]