Decompiling Maps

Template:Otherlang2 Decompiling is the process of taking a compiled map file and generating a file that Hammer can open. Decompiled maps are not perfect recreations, because of format differences. 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 may be considered rude to the author, is largely frowned upon, and depending on the source of the map, copyright infringement! That said, there are methods of preventing maps from being decompiled, but it isn't worth your time because none of them are 100% effective and 99% of decompilers aren't stealing anyways.

Tools

• EntSpy (used to view and edit the entities of a BSP without recompiling)
• BSPSource (open source map decompiler for Source engine maps, based on VMEX)
• VMEX (decompiler for Source engine maps)
• MapFool (helps porting HL1 maps to Source)
• xwad (command-line tool to convert texture formats)

Tools for the HL1-engine:

• BSP2MAP
• WinBSPC
• BSP Viewer

Finding Valve Maps

Most maps do not need to be extracted, as they are located in the file system rather than VPK. The map files are normally located in a maps folder, for example common\Team Fortress 2\tf\maps\ holds all the official Team Fortress 2 maps.

Note:A few games may have extra maps sectioned into other mod folders, for example Portal 2\portal2_dlc1\maps\.

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 help and advice, they may even go so far as to provide examples of what you wanted to borrow from the map.

See also

• Porting Half-Life maps