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.

[megadarkwood]

Hey can you find me the jel and the jel dispenser from portal? and possibly an .avi or something? i want to use it for a movie. if you cant its ok..
THANKS!

[Kirbsome!]

I'm guessing you mean the mobility gels from portal 2?
.avi is a video format. All in-game textures are in .vtf (and possibly .tga) format.
You'd probably be better off just recording the game with fraps or something.

If you really want to find those files, look for them yourself. I don't mean to be rude or anything, just consider it a learning experience.

[megadarkwood]

Yes and ok. Thanks for ur reply tho and sorry for my late one

[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!