Converting brushes to models with XSI

This tutorial shows how to convert brush structures in Hammer Editor into a prop_static using XSI Mod Tool.

Basics and Limitation

• 1 unit in Hammer = 1 unit in XSI
• You'll have to set Texture UV in XSI again, so don't spend much time tuning texture in hammer.
• You need Valve Source Addon(ValveSource.0105.01.xsiaddon) for XSI. This can be found in sourcesdk/xsi.

Hammer

• Save brush structures as a prefab in Hammer Editor.
  • Select brush structures.
  • Then click Create Prefab, and save it as .vmf file.

XSI Mod Tool

• Load that prefab file in XSI Mod Tool using ValveSource>VMF Tools>VMF import.

• To make the editing easier do:
  • Go to visibility options(click eye icon in each view), switch to Visual Cues tab, and set U/V Cell/Snap Size to 16 or 32 in Floor/Grid Setup, then click Copy to Translate Snap Increment.

• In the Snap panel, click ON and grid icons.

• Now XSI works like Hammer's Snap to Grid.
• Move loaded mesh to the world origin.The world origin in XSI will be the pivot point in Hammer. See Animators Guide to Scripted Sequences for details.

• Select the mesh, then click cut button in the Constrain panel. This will free the mesh from MapRoot which has rotations.

• Delete MapRoot.

• Select the mesh, do Freeze and Freeze All Transformation.

• Now you can edit it as you like, give it more detail etc. Don't forget to texture it, for SMD exporter only export mesh with material and UV informations.

• If you are happy with your mesh, Freeze and Freeze All Transformation again, then click ValveSource>Export SMD, and export as a reference SMD.

Compile

• Now compile the model and textures. Here I use Cannonfodder's StudioCompiler for compiling prop_static model and texture.

• Preview the compiled model in HLMV

Hammer again

• Place it as prop_static in hammer.

• Set the World Model in entity properties.

• Now place the model as you like.