VoodooChild
02-23-2004, 09:15 AM
First off, would like to keep this thread simple and to the point.
This thread is for posting links and information about the current tools available for HL & DoD. Update as needed, any edits please post. Please keep questions out, post them in a new thread if you do not know how to use them.
I find the current mapping sticky to be missing alot of information, so I decided do something about it instead of complaining. Here are all the programs neccessary for a good HL mapper to posses or be aware of.
The programs listed below are linked here at a permanent web site not likely to go down. VERC COLLECTIVE (http://collective.valve-erc.com/index.php?doc=1047496381-02062100)
__________________________________________________
Mapping Program:
Valve Hammer Editor 3.5beta (VHE)
Summary: VHE 3.5b is the official program made for HL and Mods to create maps. It requires several other tools to function properly, and you'll need a few more to be an efficient mapper. They are hundreds if not thousands of tutorials for use and setting up of VHE all over the internet. You may find DoD specific tutorials here in this forum or elsewhere on the web.
__________________________________________________
Extra Tools Required for VHE to function:
1. Zoners Half Life Tools (ZHLT)
Summary: ZHLT are the 4 basic programs that VHE will use to compile your map. You cannot compile your map without them. All the basic errors you might get when mapping our covered in the ZHLT Problems.HTML document included with the tools. ZHLT tools can be used with VHE or a 3rd party program called Nem's Batch Compiler. Make sure you find a copy of ZHLT that specifically states it has NULL texture support.
__________________________________________________
2. File - Game Data (FGD)
Summary: The FGD is basically a .txt file that contains all the information about the entities VHE uses to create maps. You can modify it in areas, but it is suggested you back it up before hand. You cannot add new code to it without having the actual code built into the game. This file can be associated with NOTEPAD to open and edit. Recently, model viewing within VHE was added to the current FGD's.
__________________________________________________
Half Life Model Viewer (HLMV)
Summary: HLMV is a program designed to easily open .mdl files, the file type which your player, weapons, and various objects found in maps are. HLMV can be used to reskin models, view animations, view models in different render modes, and several other things. Recently, a new unofficial version HLMV was made to enhance its functionability. You can associate .mdl files with HLMV and open them quickly and easily.
__________________________________________________
BSPView
Summary: BSPView is a program that allows you to open up HL & DoD .BSP files (a compiled map) without actually opening HL itself. It can show a maps contents in a fully rendered, lit, and textured 3D view, and it also has quite a few rendering options. It has usefull features for viewing how a compiled map was made & viewing how different mappers create their maps. It does however not show animated sprites, particle effects or models.
__________________________________________________
SpriteView
Summary: SpriteView is a small program that allows you to view sprites, 2D objects and effects you will find in HL & DoD. It also allows you to view the sprites animation sequence, and also lets you export the sprites to a series of .BMP files to view and edit.
__________________________________________________
SpriteMaker
Summary: SpriteMaker is SpriteViews companion program. It is another small program that allows you to compile a sequence of specific types of .BMP files into 2D animation or object to be placed in a HL or DoD map. It uses a batch sequence to compile sprites. Once learned, it is quick and easy.
__________________________________________________
Nems Batch Compiler (NBC)
Summary: Nems batch compiler is a 3rd party program that allows you to quickly and easily compile your HL or DoD maps for play in an easy to use GUI interface. NBC is easy to set up for DoD. It is much faster, efficient, and overall better to use than the built in compile options in VHE. It also allows you to perform other tasks while a map is compiling, to view the processes, and gives an estimated completion time and percentage of the compile process.
__________________________________________________
Nem's GCF Scape
Summary: GCF Scape is a exploring program designed to open .GCF files, the file types STEAM uses to store the original data for HL & its official Mods. All the models, sounds, sprites, and other files DoD includes are located in the Day of Defeat .GCF file. GCF Scape can view the directories, and extract files from the .GCF file. Not only is it useful for mappers, but anyone who likes to customize their HL & Mod files.
Nems GCF Scape is a newer program who's demand came about with the addition of the Steam Content Platform that the newest HL and Official Mods will now use.
__________________________________________________
Wally
Summary: Wally is a Imaging program designed specifically for games including HL. It is used to create and edit textures that are packaged in .wad files. Wally can be used to import and export textures from .wad files, and can be associated with .wad files for fast and easy access to the textures within them. It can also be associated with .tga files, the Sky Maps found in the dod\gfx\env directory. Wally features an easy to use drag and drop system, allowing you to quickly copy and paste .jpg files from your hard drive into a .wad file, or to quickly copy and paste textures between the .wad files themselves.
__________________________________________________
Milkshape 3D
Summary: Milkshape 3D is a modeling program specifically designed for games with HL & Mod support. With Milkshape, you can create HL models, or import and edit them, along with their animations, .smd files. Once users learn the basics of 3D objects, programs like Milkshape 3D become easier to use. Plug-ins may be required for importing and exporting .mdl files and .smd animation files. There are many tutorials avaiable on the web, as well as in the Models, Skins, & Animations (MSA) forum found on this website. Please refer to the MSA forum for questions about this program.
__________________________________________________
Adobe PhotoShop
Summary: Advanced imaging software. While not a neccessary tool, it is heartily recommended by modelers, mappers, and skinners alike that you posses a copy of Adobe Photoshop.
__________________________________________________
Mapview
Summary: Similar to BSPView, MapView allows users to open and view .Map files in a variety of 3D rendering modes. .Map files are file types exported by VHE.
__________________________________________________
Nems Mega 3D Terrain Generator (NTG)
Summary: NTG is a program designed to make 3D terrain for games like HL & DoD. Not used often, it contains several bugs and may be difficult to use for many users. Does what it says. Requires importing and exporting into HL maps. Tutorials are available for this program, and all others made by Nems at their site
__________________________________________________
Almost everyone of these programs (if not all) can be found at the verc-collective, which is HERE (http://collective.valve-erc.com/index.php?doc=1047496381-02062100)
VHE 3.5b
DoD 1.0-1.1x FGD
HLMV (unofficial & official versions)
SpriteView
SpriteMaker
Nems Batch Compiler *
Wally
GCF Scape *
MapView*
Milkshape 3D
* These programs require you downloading the Microsoft .Net Framework, a program that coders use to aid them in creating programs.
The VERC website will most likely have the most up-to-date versions of these programs and working links.
Home of: Batch Compiler, Terrain Generator, GcfScape, BspView, MapView & others:
http://countermap.counter-strike.net/Nemesis/index.php?p=1
Home of Wally:
http://www.telefragged.com/wally/
(Site is subject to instability)
Home of MilkShape 3D:
http://www.swissquake.ch/chumbalum-soft/
Home of HLMV:
http://www.swissquake.ch/chumbalum-soft/hlmv/
This thread is for posting links and information about the current tools available for HL & DoD. Update as needed, any edits please post. Please keep questions out, post them in a new thread if you do not know how to use them.
I find the current mapping sticky to be missing alot of information, so I decided do something about it instead of complaining. Here are all the programs neccessary for a good HL mapper to posses or be aware of.
The programs listed below are linked here at a permanent web site not likely to go down. VERC COLLECTIVE (http://collective.valve-erc.com/index.php?doc=1047496381-02062100)
__________________________________________________
Mapping Program:
Valve Hammer Editor 3.5beta (VHE)
Summary: VHE 3.5b is the official program made for HL and Mods to create maps. It requires several other tools to function properly, and you'll need a few more to be an efficient mapper. They are hundreds if not thousands of tutorials for use and setting up of VHE all over the internet. You may find DoD specific tutorials here in this forum or elsewhere on the web.
__________________________________________________
Extra Tools Required for VHE to function:
1. Zoners Half Life Tools (ZHLT)
Summary: ZHLT are the 4 basic programs that VHE will use to compile your map. You cannot compile your map without them. All the basic errors you might get when mapping our covered in the ZHLT Problems.HTML document included with the tools. ZHLT tools can be used with VHE or a 3rd party program called Nem's Batch Compiler. Make sure you find a copy of ZHLT that specifically states it has NULL texture support.
__________________________________________________
2. File - Game Data (FGD)
Summary: The FGD is basically a .txt file that contains all the information about the entities VHE uses to create maps. You can modify it in areas, but it is suggested you back it up before hand. You cannot add new code to it without having the actual code built into the game. This file can be associated with NOTEPAD to open and edit. Recently, model viewing within VHE was added to the current FGD's.
__________________________________________________
Half Life Model Viewer (HLMV)
Summary: HLMV is a program designed to easily open .mdl files, the file type which your player, weapons, and various objects found in maps are. HLMV can be used to reskin models, view animations, view models in different render modes, and several other things. Recently, a new unofficial version HLMV was made to enhance its functionability. You can associate .mdl files with HLMV and open them quickly and easily.
__________________________________________________
BSPView
Summary: BSPView is a program that allows you to open up HL & DoD .BSP files (a compiled map) without actually opening HL itself. It can show a maps contents in a fully rendered, lit, and textured 3D view, and it also has quite a few rendering options. It has usefull features for viewing how a compiled map was made & viewing how different mappers create their maps. It does however not show animated sprites, particle effects or models.
__________________________________________________
SpriteView
Summary: SpriteView is a small program that allows you to view sprites, 2D objects and effects you will find in HL & DoD. It also allows you to view the sprites animation sequence, and also lets you export the sprites to a series of .BMP files to view and edit.
__________________________________________________
SpriteMaker
Summary: SpriteMaker is SpriteViews companion program. It is another small program that allows you to compile a sequence of specific types of .BMP files into 2D animation or object to be placed in a HL or DoD map. It uses a batch sequence to compile sprites. Once learned, it is quick and easy.
__________________________________________________
Nems Batch Compiler (NBC)
Summary: Nems batch compiler is a 3rd party program that allows you to quickly and easily compile your HL or DoD maps for play in an easy to use GUI interface. NBC is easy to set up for DoD. It is much faster, efficient, and overall better to use than the built in compile options in VHE. It also allows you to perform other tasks while a map is compiling, to view the processes, and gives an estimated completion time and percentage of the compile process.
__________________________________________________
Nem's GCF Scape
Summary: GCF Scape is a exploring program designed to open .GCF files, the file types STEAM uses to store the original data for HL & its official Mods. All the models, sounds, sprites, and other files DoD includes are located in the Day of Defeat .GCF file. GCF Scape can view the directories, and extract files from the .GCF file. Not only is it useful for mappers, but anyone who likes to customize their HL & Mod files.
Nems GCF Scape is a newer program who's demand came about with the addition of the Steam Content Platform that the newest HL and Official Mods will now use.
__________________________________________________
Wally
Summary: Wally is a Imaging program designed specifically for games including HL. It is used to create and edit textures that are packaged in .wad files. Wally can be used to import and export textures from .wad files, and can be associated with .wad files for fast and easy access to the textures within them. It can also be associated with .tga files, the Sky Maps found in the dod\gfx\env directory. Wally features an easy to use drag and drop system, allowing you to quickly copy and paste .jpg files from your hard drive into a .wad file, or to quickly copy and paste textures between the .wad files themselves.
__________________________________________________
Milkshape 3D
Summary: Milkshape 3D is a modeling program specifically designed for games with HL & Mod support. With Milkshape, you can create HL models, or import and edit them, along with their animations, .smd files. Once users learn the basics of 3D objects, programs like Milkshape 3D become easier to use. Plug-ins may be required for importing and exporting .mdl files and .smd animation files. There are many tutorials avaiable on the web, as well as in the Models, Skins, & Animations (MSA) forum found on this website. Please refer to the MSA forum for questions about this program.
__________________________________________________
Adobe PhotoShop
Summary: Advanced imaging software. While not a neccessary tool, it is heartily recommended by modelers, mappers, and skinners alike that you posses a copy of Adobe Photoshop.
__________________________________________________
Mapview
Summary: Similar to BSPView, MapView allows users to open and view .Map files in a variety of 3D rendering modes. .Map files are file types exported by VHE.
__________________________________________________
Nems Mega 3D Terrain Generator (NTG)
Summary: NTG is a program designed to make 3D terrain for games like HL & DoD. Not used often, it contains several bugs and may be difficult to use for many users. Does what it says. Requires importing and exporting into HL maps. Tutorials are available for this program, and all others made by Nems at their site
__________________________________________________
Almost everyone of these programs (if not all) can be found at the verc-collective, which is HERE (http://collective.valve-erc.com/index.php?doc=1047496381-02062100)
VHE 3.5b
DoD 1.0-1.1x FGD
HLMV (unofficial & official versions)
SpriteView
SpriteMaker
Nems Batch Compiler *
Wally
GCF Scape *
MapView*
Milkshape 3D
* These programs require you downloading the Microsoft .Net Framework, a program that coders use to aid them in creating programs.
The VERC website will most likely have the most up-to-date versions of these programs and working links.
Home of: Batch Compiler, Terrain Generator, GcfScape, BspView, MapView & others:
http://countermap.counter-strike.net/Nemesis/index.php?p=1
Home of Wally:
http://www.telefragged.com/wally/
(Site is subject to instability)
Home of MilkShape 3D:
http://www.swissquake.ch/chumbalum-soft/
Home of HLMV:
http://www.swissquake.ch/chumbalum-soft/hlmv/