VMT: Difference between revisions
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# [[$surfaceprop|Physical surface]] [[Material surface properties|types]] | # [[$surfaceprop|Physical surface]] [[Material surface properties|types]] | ||
# [[:Category:Shaders|Shader]] [[:Category:List of Shader Parameters|parameters]] | # [[:Category:Shaders|Shader]] [[:Category:List of Shader Parameters|parameters]] | ||
# [[Material | # [[Material map compile flags|Special compile properties]] | ||
# [[Material optimization|Fallbacks]] | # [[Material optimization|Fallbacks]] | ||
# [[Material | # [[Material proxies|Proxies]] | ||
== A simple example == | == A simple example == | ||
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It's important to remember that this material can only be used on brushes. If it needed to be used on [[model]]s, for instance, another version would need to be created using the {{code|[[VertexLitGeneric]]}} shader. | It's important to remember that this material can only be used on brushes. If it needed to be used on [[model]]s, for instance, another version would need to be created using the {{code|[[VertexLitGeneric]]}} shader. | ||
Most of the time switching materials from one shader to another is as simple as changing their first line, since a great number of parameters are shared between them. Some params only work with certain shaders, like [[ | Most of the time switching materials from one shader to another is as simple as changing their first line, since a great number of parameters are shared between them. Some params only work with certain shaders, like [[phong]] effects, which are only available with {{code|[[VertexLitGeneric]]}}, but unfortunately you won't encounter any critical errors if a param isn't understood by the shader. It just won't have any effect. | ||
{{tip|If you ever need to use a space, tab, or curly brace character in a parameter value, you must wrap the whole value with "quote marks". You'll often see absolutely everything wrapped like this - save yourself some typing, as that's unnecessary.}} | {{tip|If you ever need to use a space, tab, or curly brace character in a parameter value, you must wrap the whole value with "quote marks". You'll often see absolutely everything wrapped like this - save yourself some typing, as that's unnecessary.}} | ||
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== Finding materials == | == Finding materials == | ||
=== SteamPipe === | === SteamPipe === | ||
When Valve updated all {{src|4}} games to [[SteamPipe]], all materials were moved from [[GCF]]s into [[VPK]] files. Third-party games (running on {{src04|1}} - {{src09|1}}) that previously used [[GCF]] files are also having its materials moved to depot [[VPK]] files. VPK Files work with {{gcfscape|4}} and {{vpkedit|4}}. | |||
When Valve updated all {{src|4}} games to [[SteamPipe]], all materials were moved from [[GCF]] into [[VPK]] files. Third-party games (running on {{src04|1}} - {{src09|1}}) that previously used [[GCF]] files are also having | |||
More info on SteamPipe [https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7388-QPFN-2491 here] | More info on SteamPipe [https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7388-QPFN-2491 here] | ||
=== Non-SteamPipe Games === | === Non-SteamPipe Games === | ||
In non-[[SteamPipe]] {{src|4}} games, Materials are stored in the {{Path|materials\}} folder of your game or mod. The best way to browse them is from {{hammer|4}}'s texture selection screen. | |||
In non [[SteamPipe]] {{src|4}} games, Materials are stored in the {{Path|materials\}} folder of your game or mod. The best way to browse them is from {{hammer|4}}'s texture selection screen. | |||
If you want to edit or view the code of Valve's material files you will first need to extract them from their [[GCF]] package with {{gcfscape|4}}. They tend to be stored in GCFs with 'materials' in their name. | If you want to edit or view the code of Valve's material files you will first need to extract them from their [[GCF]] package with {{gcfscape|4}}. They tend to be stored in GCFs with 'materials' in their name. | ||
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== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Creating a Material]] | * [[Creating a Material]] | ||
* [[Notepad++ VDF languages|Notepad++ syntax highlighting for materials]] | * [[Notepad++ VDF languages|Notepad++ syntax highlighting for materials]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:21, 28 November 2025
A VMT ("Valve Material") file defines the material used by a two-dimensional surface. It contains all of the information needed for 
Source to simulate the surface visually, aurally, and physically.
If a material is missing, it will produce the infamous Source pink and black checkered pattern. A white wireframe is not a missing material, but instead a missing shader.
The contents of a material will fall into some or all of these categories:
A simple example
This is a very basic shingle beach material.
- The
LightmappedGenericshader is used, which means that the material is for use on surfaces with lightmaps (i.e. brushes). - The opening curly brace (
{) opens a set of parameters - The
$basetextureparameter is given withcoast\shingle_01, which is the location of a texture. This is what will be drawn on the screen. $surfacepropgives the material the physical properties of gravel.- The closing curly brace (
}) character closes a set of parameters
It's important to remember that this material can only be used on brushes. If it needed to be used on models, for instance, another version would need to be created using the VertexLitGeneric shader.
Most of the time switching materials from one shader to another is as simple as changing their first line, since a great number of parameters are shared between them. Some params only work with certain shaders, like phong effects, which are only available with VertexLitGeneric, but unfortunately you won't encounter any critical errors if a param isn't understood by the shader. It just won't have any effect.
Tip:If you ever need to use a space, tab, or curly brace character in a parameter value, you must wrap the whole value with "quote marks". You'll often see absolutely everything wrapped like this - save yourself some typing, as that's unnecessary.
Bug:Sometimes[When?], the first parameter defined in the VMT will fail to load. If this happens, a dummy parameter such as $bug can be used.Finding materials
SteamPipe
When Valve updated all Source games to SteamPipe, all materials were moved from GCFs into VPK files. Third-party games (running on Source 2004 - Source 2009) that previously used GCF files are also having its materials moved to depot VPK files. VPK Files work with 
GCFScape and 
VPKEdit.
More info on SteamPipe here
Non-SteamPipe Games
In non-SteamPipe Source games, Materials are stored in the 
materials\ folder of your game or mod. The best way to browse them is from 
Hammer's texture selection screen.
If you want to edit or view the code of Valve's material files you will first need to extract them from their GCF package with GCFScape. They tend to be stored in GCFs with 'materials' in their name.