SDK workaround

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The recent engine update potentially broke mod development tools in Steam. If your mod is based on a game other than Half-Life 2, including HL2DM, this update causes your mod to run on the new engine. Running the SDK Launcher causes binaries to be copied from the old version of the engine cache.

Until the problem is fixed with an SDK update, use the following workaround:

1. Run the game which your mod is based on and exit.
2. Make sure the SDKLauncher app is not running.
3. Go to that game's bin directory.
4. Copy all files, excluding TrackerNET.dll and TrackerUI.dll.
5. Paste these files in your USERNAME\sourcesdk\bin directory.

Warning:All SDK tools must now be run from within explorer or from a command-line window; running the SDK Launcher app will cause this problem to occur again and these steps must be repeated.

Warning:This will also make the 2D views in Hammer disappear and the model browser will crash if you try to browse the models in Hammer. Shutting down Steam and restarting Hammer will fix the 2D view and model browser; however the ATI-cards are the worst, whereas before it was only affecting models, now it affects the entire 3D window.

Alternative fix for Hammer

Go to ..\Steam\SteamApps\USERNAME\sourcesdk\bin. Create a shortcut to Hammer and add -dxlevel 80 to it (e.g. "DIRECTORIES\hammer.exe" -dxlevel 80).

Left 4 Dead Developers: Go to ..\Steam\steamapps\common\left 4 dead\bin. Create a shortcut to Hammer and add -dxlevel 80 to it (e.g) "DIRECTORIES\hammer.exe" -dxlevel 80).

Running Hammer from this shortcut will correct the graphic error.

This appears to result in displacement maps misbehaving on a GeForce 6600, latest drivers - the alpha for blend textures is inverted!)

• This issue (inverted alpha) can also occur on a Radeon 9800 Pro with Catalyst version 6.6.

Windows X64

• Confirmed working Hammer in Windows Vista x64 for Left 4 Dead. Takes over 60 seconds to start, be patient
• Windows x64: Has problem with screen flashing, blinking, etc. when trying to use displacement, paint geometry, etc. This has been confirmed on a Nvidia 9800GTX card, latest drivers. The above fix worked.

Alternate Fix for Hammer Grid issue

Download Old SDK binaries at http://www.filefront.com/16380853/pre_update_binaries.zip After downloading, extract to Desktop. Start the SDKLauncher. Goto your OB bin directory in your SDK, and overwrite the current files with the downloaded ones. Then start Hammer Editor.

• You will have to do this every time you close the SDKLauncher.

You can also get around the invisable grid issue by placing light entities all over your grid.

Entry Point Errors

commandline_tier0 & tier0.dll

"the procedure entry point commandline_tier0 could not be located in the dynamic link library tier0.dll" If you are experiencing this when launching a mod, try launching it using "\..SteamApps\USERNAME\source sdk base\hl2.exe" instead of "..\SteamApps\USERNAME\half-life 2\hl2.exe"

spewandlogactivate & tier0_s.dll

"the procedure entry point spewandlogactivate could not be located in the dynamic link library tier0_s.dll"

To fix this issue, rename or delete "..\SteamApps\USERNAME\half-life 2\bin\tier0_s.dll"

See also

• Failed to load the default scheme file