How to edit materials in any source game.

If you've ever played a source game (hl2, css, portal), you have probably seen one or more materials that just wasn't good enough. It is also likely you have thought "What if i could edit this?" With these steps, you can!

note:
It doesn't have to be steam, as long as it has a .gcf library and uses the source engine
Also:
First instructable!

Feedback is lovely!
Please rate and comment!

Step 1 You need programs.

Neither can you find, nor can you edit the materials without any additional programs.
These are your saviors in that matter:

GCFscape:
A program used to open GCFs "Game Cache Files", which are actually folders containing all the games files.
Get it here:
http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/index.php?p=26

VTFedit:
While browsing the gfc, this program is used to open VTFs "Valve Texture File" These are the materials and sprites used in your game of choice.
Get it here:
http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/index.php?c=178

Comments

[anonymousrandomguy]

"I use mspaint, but photoshop is probably better."
Probably? lmao

Anyway, nice instructable, well written.
Hopefully it gets a few people into skinning.

[Kirbsome!]

Thanks for the feedback!

[bigbrainkid]

It's a nice instructable, but I have one question. I'm editing the metal_box.vtf texture so that all cubes look like companion cubes, but I can't figure out where to save it to. I followed the destination and everything.

[Kirbsome!]

...\portal\portal\materials\models\props

[bigbrainkid]

I'M at C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\bigbrainkid\portal\portal, but there doesn't seem to be a materials folder.

[Kirbsome!]

so make a new one

[YouDucks32]

There is no 'Steam' folder in my Program Files. ?

[Kirbsome!]

What operating system do you use? On Windows 7 64bit, it's in
C:/Program Files (x86)/Steam. I'll add this to the instructable now.
Also, if you're using a pirated game you might not even have steam.

[bkidwell]

it might be program files / 86 or something like that

[evilmadcow]

dude- you have to use a program that recognizes transparency: MS paint doesn't
do that.

[GLaDOS V3]

How do I do this to The Orange Box for xbox 360?

[Kirbsome!]

I have no idea. As far as I know, The Orange Box was ported to X360 by EA, and has loads of differences from the PC version.

[GLaDOS V3]

could you do this on any xbox 360 game?

[Kirbsome!]

What?
I just said I don't even know how the Source engine works on 360.
Now you're asking me about all the other games?

[GLaDOS V3]

what file is that?

[Kirbsome!]

If you mean the Weighted Companion Cube, it's located in
materials/models/props/metal_box_skin001.vtf

[albylovesscience]

Garys mod rocks and who is that smily face guy

[coco911231]

his name is the awesome face

[evilmadcow]

no it's epic face

[Kirbsome!]

garrysmod owns indeed, it is awesome smiley

(if you liked it, download is www.garrysmod.org/downloads/?a=view&id=74574)

[GeneralMastiff]

for the people who don't own Garry's Mod:



sorry, you have never expiericed awesomenesss before

[Spencer . D]

Can you do this in mine craft

[Kirbsome!]

Actually, it's much easier in minecraft. In the minecraft.jar file it's just a plain PNG file. There are plenty of tutorials on making "texture packs", just google it.

[evilmadcow]

that helps with my plans.also- to find your .minecraft file click on run in you thing that says windows & type '%appdata%

[bkidwell]

how do i add my .vtf pic back to the game immmm sooooo confused but ur great maybe you can help

[Kirbsome!]

You need to be more detailed be fore I can help you. Do you have the .VTF? Are you confused about where to put it? Is there a problem with exporting the file from VTFedit?

[mkarafiat]

can you do this in need for speed undercover

[Kirbsome!]

I don't know anything about that game. If it's a Source game, the process should go smoothly.

[TekoMuto]

snooPing as usual I see....

[zigzagchris]

Defacing Companion Cube...

[Kirbsome!]

Well, what are you going to do about it? Threaten to stab me?

[milospalic1]

wich file i must put in, the jpg i tried it but i cant put it in this folder :( i'm totaly confused

[Kirbsome!]

So am I, you really must be more descriptive.

[Derin]

From my FSX retexture experience, if the bump maps are separate, you can just leave the bump maps alone.

[Kirbsome!]

Of course, but if (example) the heart was bumped, you wouldn't want a smiley with those bumps.

[naruto the ninja13]

Weighted Awesome Face Cube




EPIC

[Duct Tape Dude]

Could this work with a photo or just online based images? Cuz I thought a Weighted ex-girlfriend cube as Companion Cube would be just hilarious!

[xana]

yes that would be awesome!!!!!!.

[Kirbsome!]

Any inage should work.
I'm not sure what "online based" means, please explain that further.

[Duct Tape Dude]

like a pic thats not a photo,like kirbsome or awesome smiley it cannot be a photo, the cartoon, not a sculpture, or a picture of a computer screen, basicly that's what I meant.