Compiling a model

This article explains how to use the Source SDK tool studiomdl.exe, located in the sourcesdk/bin directory. Studiomdl is used to compile source .SMD files exported from a modeling package, combined with a .QC script file, into a .MDL file that can be used by the engine.

Exporting and Compiling Models

Follow these steps to export a model from XSI and compile it with the Source SDK tools:

1. Export the .SMD files somewhere under the SDK's modelsrc directory for the game being compiled for.

   For example, for a Counter-Strike Source model:

   C:\Program Files\Steam\SteamApps\username\sourcesdk_content\cstrike\modelsrc

   or

   C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\username\sourcesdk_content\cstrike\modelsrc

   Where username is your Steam Login name.

2. Create a .QC file in the same place as the .SMD files. Refer to the QC files that are already in the sourcesdk_content\cstrike\modelsrc directory for examples.
3. Ensure the proper Current Game is selected on the SDK Launcher panel (eg. Counter-Strike: Source).
4. Run studiomdl.exe on the .QC file. To do this, open a Windows command prompt, and type:

   cd "%sourcesdk%"

   bin\studiomdl ..\sourcesdk_content\cstrike\modelsrc\mymodel.qc

   
   

   Note:This makes use of an environment variable called "sourcesdk" to simplify things. This environment variable is created upon installation of the Source SDK.

5. As an alternative to running studiomdl.exe in a command prompt window, a desktop shortcut to studiomdl.exe can be created. Model .QC files can then be "dragged-and-dropped" from a Windows Explorer window to the desktop shortcut to perform the compiling.

   Open Windows Explorer, navigate to the ..sourcesdk\bin folder, right-click on studiomdl.exe and select Send To.. Desktop (create shortcut).

   
   

   Note: Disadvantage of the shortcut method - It is difficult to view errors reported by studiomdl.exe during the compile process using the shortcut method as the compile window will close immediately after the error is reported. If the model does not appear to compile correctly, use the command prompt window method to determine if studiomdl.exe reports error(s) during the compile process.

6. If there are no errors with the .QC file or the .SMD files, a .MDL file will be created in the location specified by the $modelname key in the .QC file.
7. Model Viewer can now be run in the SDK launcher to open and view the model file.

Placing models

You can place a model with the Hammer level editor to see it inside the game.

To place a compiled model in Hammer:

1. Open the Hammer Editor from the SDK Launcher.
2. Add a prop entity with the Entity Tool (prop_static, prop_dynamic or prop_physics_multiplayer, depending on your model type). In the Object Properties for the entity, browse the model tree to view and place the model. See the Hammer documentation for information on how to use the Entity Tool.

Sample Models

There are a number of Counter-Strike: Source and Half-Life 2 sample models in the sourcesdk_content directory that you can refer to for examples. They are compiled in the same way as models you create yourself. For example, you can type these commands at a command prompt to compile the lamp holder sample:

cd "%sourcesdk%"
bin\studiomdl ..\sourcesdk_content\cstrike\modelsrc\lamp\it_lampholder1.qc

Sample Models Compile Errors

If studiomdl displays the error: duplicate weightlist pelvisonly when compiling the male_06_sdk model, the problem may be the inclusion of the file Male_Animations_sdk/WeaponsAnims_Shared_sdk.qci.

That file contains a $weightlist pelvisonly line identical to a line in the included file male_shared_XSI_sdk.qci.

• In the Male_Animations_sdk folder, make a copy of the WeaponsAnims_Shared_sdk.qci file.
• Rename the copy to WeaponsAnims_Shared_sdk_X.qci (or other unique name).
• Edit the WeaponsAnims_Shared_sdk_X.qci file and comment out the $weightlist line

"//$weightlist pelvisonly ..."

• Open for editing the file male_06_sdk.qc.
• Change the line $include "../male_animations_sdk/WeaponAnims_shared_sdk.qci" to

$include "../male_animations_sdk/WeaponAnims_shared_sdk_X.qci" //(or as otherwise renamed above)

• Save the male_06_sdk.qc file.
• Recompile male_06_sdk.qc to determine if the error was corrected.

See also

• .QC File Basics
• Studiocompiler
• GUIStudioMDL