Blender
🛒 Get it on Steam for free (via Browser | Steam client*)
Supported OS:
Windows • 
macOS • 
Linux + 
SteamOS (See system requirements)
Blender is a free and open source 3D modeling package that can be used to create models for 
Source and 
Source 2. Blender has also been available on Steam since April 3, 2015, it comes with automatic updates but has no support for the in-app Steam overlay currently.
Features
Some of Blender's features include:
- 3D modelling.
- UV mapping
- 3D Texture painting. (see Skin)
- Texture baking (see Normal Map Creation in Maya | Note: this is for
Maya same principles applies in ). - Weight painting, Rigging & animations (see Animation section).
- Shape Keys (see Flex animation).
Other useful features:
- Non-destructive modifiers (see Blender docs modifiers introduction).
- Sculpting.
- Node-based/procedural modelling & material shading.
- Physics simulation.
Blender and Source
Use add-ons to import and export numerous different file types like SMD, DMX & FBX for your Source mods or the Steam Workshop.
Note: Follow the Blender for Source 2 tutorial to export a mesh from Blender to Source 2.| Add-ons | |
|---|---|
| Name | Description |
 Blender Source Tools |
Import and export SMD and DMX. |
| SourceOps |
Export SMD, and generate QC files. |
| SourceIO |
Import models, maps, and textures from Source, Source 2, and  GoldSrc.
|
| Source Engine Collision Tools |
Generate and optimize collision meshes for Source.
|
| Blender VertexLitGeneric |
Help you design and export materials for models. |
Tip: You can store as many models as you like in the same .blend file. Use scenes and/or collections to easily manage the different elements.Animation
See Animation in Blender to learn how to rig and animate in a way that survives SMD export.
- Shape Keys (see Flex animation).
Source Shaders Emulation
VertexLitGeneric OSL is a VertexLitGeneric shader implementation for the Blender Cycles ray-tracing engine, supported by Open Shading Language.
Where can I learn to use Blender?
Although the Valve Developer Community has limited information about using Blender, we offer a variety of external resources for you to learn and master Blender.
- Blender Documentation Hosted by Blender.org
YouTube Probably the best place to begin learning blender
Getting help
Getting help with specific issues you are having.
- Blender Steam Discussion Steam forum for blender
Blender Community Discord Popular blender users discord- Blender Support portal Portal with a lot more places to find help. User Communities page also has links to non-english communities
External links
See also
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