Talk:Model Creation Overview

How does the VTF get compiled into the MDL file?

The model QC files and QC Commands docs don't contain any reference to the VTF (or TGA or VMT). If that's correct, how does the VTF get built into the MDL ? It doesn't appear to be part of the SMD data. —Unsigned comment added by Beeswax (talk • contribs) Always sign your posts with four tildes (~~~~)

It is part of the SMD. The texture is defined for every polygon so that the first of the two rows of data per poly is always the texture filename. Path to the surface material is defined in the QC. Jupix 15:26, 5 Nov 2007 (PST)

Ah - the penny drops! So that's why the GameDirectory/models and GameDirectory/materials/models are so specific ... the MDL relies on the correctly named VTF being in the ../materials/models directory. Thanks for the insight Jupix. Beeswax 09:28, 6 Nov 2007 (PST)

I've added a section on VTF and VMT files because they are an unavoidable part of the modelling workflow. If I've got anything wrong, please feel free to correct, clarify or discuss. Beeswax 17:11, 6 Nov 2007 (PST)

Adding animations

Is it possible to add animations to an existing model? Say, having the G-Man smacking his forehead, or doing a little dance or something. Or would you have to decompile the model (how would you even do that?), add the animation, and then recompile it? —Yar Kramer 10:42, 25 Jan 2008 (PST)