Essential Programs:
GCFscape- Download (http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/files/files/gcfscape129.exe)
VTF2TGA/TGA2VTF- Download (http://gamesfusion.fileburst.com/public/tools/vtex.zip )

For this tutorial i will be using the M4A1 as a subject but this method applies to all topics.

1.) Run GCFscape and locate "counter strike shared.gcf" It should be located in your steam/steamapps folder.
2.)Once opened, you should get 3 folders. Under root click on "cstrike"- " materials"- "models"- "weapons"- "v_models" and locate your desired weapon.
Screen 1 (http://img91.exs.cx/img91/9913/tutorialshot29yu.jpg)
3.) Extract the VTF file to your Desktop

The most convenient thing to do is to place all converting files (VTF2TGA/TGA2VTF) on your desktop inside a folder preferably named "VTEX".

4.) Place the VTF file along with the converting programs like so
Screen 2 (http://img69.exs.cx/img69/9879/tutorialshot17vn.jpg)

5.) Edit the "convert" batch file and a notepad should appear
Screen 3 (http://img171.exs.cx/img171/9841/4347dn.jpg)
Type that then save and exit. Hit the "convert" icon and you should now get this
Screen 4 (http://img138.exs.cx/img138/6743/tutorialshot48of.jpg)

You can now open that TGA file and edit to your liking.
Once you're finished editing, save the TGA file in the following directory Desktop\vtex\hl2\materialsrc\skins

6.) Go back to the main VTEX folder and edit the "tga2vtf" compiler the same way you did with the "convert"
Screen 5 (http://img138.exs.cx/img138/1170/tutorialshot54op.jpg)
Type that in the notepad then save and exit. Hit the "tga2vtf" compiler once more and you should now get a VTF and a VTM file in your Desktop\vtex\hl2\materials\skins like so
Screen 6 (http://img138.exs.cx/img138/552/tutorialshot62zv.jpg)

*For best results in-game: After you've compiled the TGA the first time, go back the second time and revert back to where you placed the TGA file and you should now see a notepad next to it.
Screen 7 (http://img183.exs.cx/img183/6892/4343124ub.jpg)
Open the notepad and type "nomip" "1" on the first line. Hit save then exit, you are now ready for the next step.

7.) Drag the VTF file into the following \Steam\SteamApps\(YOUR EMAIL)\counter-strike source\cstrike\materials\models\weapons\v_models\r if_m4a1
Some of these folders you will have to create manually.

Now test your artwork in-game.

You can also use VTFTool available here (http://www.wunderboy.org/3d_games/utils/sourcetools.php#vtftool) to handle conversion of the VTF<->TGA files. Its mod aware and will handle placing textures in the correct folders and create a very basic outline VMT file.

Nice tutorial Splinter, ill host it :)

*STICKY*.....maybe?

Maybe later, I need to do some re-organising of the stickies as some of them are a bit out of date.

Sticky please

this helps me a lot thx mate

i converted a file and tried to find it where it should be but its not there ...wth

http://www.dayofdefeat.net/forums/images/edit.gif

Its begging you to use it :p

nice tut

this definately deserves to be stickied. :)

Like I said, in time. Im waiting for some forum changes to place them im going to go through and re-organise all the stickies.

Stickies get ignored anyway and you wouldn't want this to be ignored ;G