MDL Source Material Fetcher
Source Material Fetcher is a utility for Source that locates and packages the material dependencies used by MDL models.
The tool is designed to simplify the process of collecting the material files required by Source Engine models. Instead of manually searching through large Source Engine directories for every material referenced by a model, users can provide one or more MDL files and one or more search locations.
The tool analyzes the models, searches the specified locations for their material dependencies, and can package the collected files into a ZIP archive.
It is particularly useful for 
Garry's Mod developers, Source Engine modders, modelers, and asset porters who need to collect the files associated with Source models.
Features
- MDL drag and drop • Source
.mdlfiles can be added by dragging them directly into the application. - Multiple model support • Multiple MDL files can be loaded and processed in the same session.
- Browse for models • Models can also be added using the built-in file browser.
- Multiple search locations • Users can specify multiple folders to search for material dependencies.
- Material folder searching • Search locations are intended for folders containing a
materialsdirectory or Source Engine material content. - Automatic dependency detection • The tool analyzes the selected MDL files and determines the material dependencies referenced by the models.
- Recursive searching • Search locations can contain nested folders, allowing the tool to search through large Source Engine content directories.
- Analyze • The Analyze function allows the user to inspect the material dependencies before creating the final package.
- Automatic packaging • Required material files can be collected and packaged into a ZIP archive.
- ZIP creation • The Fetch & Create ZIP function creates a portable archive containing the collected files.
- Organized output • Users can choose where the collected material files and generated ZIP archive are placed.
- Processing report • The application generates a report describing the material-fetching process.
- Copy report • The generated report can be copied for troubleshooting, documentation, or sharing.
- Open output folder • The output directory can be opened directly from the application.
- Source Engine workflow • Designed around the file structure and material workflow used by Source Engine games.
Usage
- Add one or more Source
.mdlfiles using drag and drop or Browse Files. - Add one or more search locations using Add Folder....
- Select an output directory using the Browse button in the Output section.
- Click ANALYZE to inspect the model material dependencies.
- Review the generated report.
- Click FETCH & CREATE ZIP to collect the required files and create the ZIP archive.
- Use Open Output Folder to access the generated files.
Material dependency workflow
A Source model can reference multiple materials, while those materials may be stored in different locations within a Source Engine installation.
Manually collecting these files can require searching through multiple folders and checking material references individually.
Source Material Fetcher is designed to automate this workflow:
MDL
- → Material dependencies
- → Search locations
- → Locate required files
- → Collect files
- → Create ZIP archive
- → Generate report
Input
The primary input format is:
.mdl— Source Engine Studio Model
Multiple models can be added to the input list.
Search locations
The application allows multiple search locations to be added.
This allows users to provide several Source Engine directories when the required materials are distributed across different locations.
Output
The application allows the user to select an output directory.
The collected files can then be packaged into a ZIP archive using FETCH & CREATE ZIP.
Report
Source Material Fetcher provides a report after processing.
The report can be copied using Copy Report and can be used to inspect the results of the material-fetching operation.
Supported Engine
Source Material Fetcher is designed for Source-based games.
It can be useful for:
Compatibility may depend on the game's file structure and the content available in the specified search locations.
Requirements
- Windows
- Source Engine model files
- Access to the directories containing the required Source Engine materials
Version History
- 0.1.0 — Initial release.
External links
See also
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