Zh/Decompiling Maps

Template:Otherlang2 Decompiling is the process of taking a compiled level and generating a source that can be opened in a map editor. Decompiled levels mimic the original source, they are not exact reproductions. This makes them useful for learning, measurement, and inspection, but not direct recompilation. The original source is ideal for reproductions or modifications.

Releasing reproductions, modifications, or approximations of another's work without permission nor credit is frowned upon and may be considered as a copyright violation.

Tools

• EntSpy
• BSPSource
• Vmex
• BSP2MAP
• MapFool
• xwad
• WinBSPC
• BSP Viewer

Getting Dirty

The latest decompiler is called BSPSource and is written in Java. You need an updated version of the Java Runtime Environment (JRE), which can be downloaded from Sun to run BSPSource. Once installed, you are ready to decompile your first map.

Extracting Valve maps

(Note: This tutorial assumes that you have opted into the SteamPipe beta for any Orange Box titles. Games released after 2007 or games that are multiplayer titles will have already stashed their content in \steamapps\common\.)

1. Install GCFScape.
2. After you install GCFScape, go to File >> Open.
   • For Counter-Strike: Global Offensive maps, open \steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive\csgo\pak01_dir.vpk
   • For Counter-Strike: Source maps, open \steamapps\common\counter-strike source\cstrike\strike_pak_dir.vpk
   • For Day of Defeat: Source maps, open \steamapps\common\Day of Defeat Source\dod\dod_pak_dir.vpk
   • For Half-Life 2 maps, open \steamapps\common\half-life 2\hl2\hl2_misc_dir.vpk
   • For Half-Life 2: Deathmatch maps, open \steamapps\common\half-life 2 deathmatch\hl2mp\hl2mp_pak_dir.vpk
   • For Half-Life 2: Episode One maps, open \steamapps\common\half-life 2\episodic\ep1_pak_dir.vpk
   • For Half-Life 2: Episode Two maps, open \steamapps\common\half-life 2\ep2\ep2_pak_dir.vpk
   • For Portal maps, open \steamapps\common\portal\portal\portal_pak_dir.vpk
   • For Portal 2 maps, open steamapps\common\portal 2\portal2\pak01_dir.vpk
   • For Team Fortress 2 maps, open \steamapps\common\Team Fortress 2\tf\tf2_misc_dir.vpk
   • For Left 4 Dead maps, open steamapps\common\left 4 dead\l4d\pak01_dir.vpk
   • For Left 4 Dead 2 maps, open steamapps\common\left 4 dead 2\l4d2\pak01_dir.vpk

注意:Left 4 Dead, Left 4 Dead 2, and Portal 2 also have other folders for DLCs, for examples: steamapps\common\portal2\portal2_dlc1\pak01_dir.vpk and steamapps\common\left 4 dead\l4d_dlc1\pak01_dir.vpk .

3. Browse the directory until you find a \maps\ folder. Each location varies per game.
4. Right-click on the BSP file you want, then click Extract or drag the file from the GCF into a folder.

Before You Go

Before you take this jump to run off and decompile a map take a second or two to think, "What am I trying to learn/do?". Read the included TXT files, you may just find the creator's e-mail, and that could be more helpful than you imagine.

Some mappers will offer up help and advice, they may even go so far as to provide perfect examples of what you were trying to "borrow" from the map.