Useful tools for Hammer

[G-Man]

Ok, im going to provide all you aspiring mappers with 2 tools you can download. Id be surprised if you didn't know about these but incase you dont-

Vmex- Allows you to convert a bsp file into vmf so you can load it onto hammer. Useful so you can decompile a map not made by you and observe something about it or modify it. Site: http://www.geocities.com/cofrdrbob/vmex.html

Ratpak- Allows you take custom textures/sounds/models/ scripts you made and embed them into your bsp file so when people download your map, they dont have to download each item seperatly, thus making the download a lot faster and file size smaller. Site: http://www.geocities.com/cofrdrbob/pakrat.html

It should be selfexplanitory on how to use these but if not, check the site for tutorials or ask someone with experience.
These are the main tools to have but if anyone knows of any others, post em here.

[Tcp-Kill]

Thanks G

Do you know who to bypass maps that cannot be decompiled

[Phil]

You know it's so sad and noobish to modify other peoples maps? Just saying. I wouldn't tell anyone how to bypass protection because you just have to respect their choice. Vmex also causes problems too, it cannot decompile perfectly because information is lost when the .vmf is compiled, and the level of mapper who's intention is to modify won't be able to fix those problems.

[Tcp-Kill]

You know it's so sad and noobish to modify other peoples maps? Just saying. I wouldn't tell anyone how to bypass protection because you just have to respect their choice. Vmex also causes problems too, it cannot decompile perfectly because information is lost when the .vmf is compiled, and the level of mapper who's intention is to modify won't be able to fix those problems.

I do NOT want to modify peoples maps. I just wish to view them to how they make the messages there traps, design. Not to copy

[G-Man]

You know it's so sad and noobish to modify other peoples maps? Just saying. I wouldn't tell anyone how to bypass protection because you just have to respect their choice. Vmex also causes problems too, it cannot decompile perfectly because information is lost when the .vmf is compiled, and the level of mapper who's intention is to modify won't be able to fix those problems.

Well, to start, some people decompile maps not to modify it, but to learn how something was done in that map. half of the stuff i know about mapping isnt from tutorials but from decompiling valve maps and seeing what they did. And really, theres nothing wrong with modifying maps, its a great way for noobies to get a feel on hammer before making there first complete map...

Your right though, decompilers usually have a lot of errors. So when your run the decompiled map its a hit or miss as to whether it would work.

Thanks G

Do you know who to bypass maps that cannot be decompiled

tcp, if you are talking about how to decompile a valve map or one made professionally, you have to use GCFscape, which cracks open GCF files so you can go into them and pull out the bsp which it is in. Heres the link: http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/index.php?p=26
Click the installer button.

The GCF files for all the steam games you have are located in program files/steam/steamapps. Click on the game of the map you want, you'll have to look around for it, because inside the gfc files are the sounds, scripts, models and textures to the game to, not just maps.

[Tcp-Kill]

Well, to start, some people decompile maps not to modify it, but to learn how something was done in that map. half of the stuff i know about mapping isnt from tutorials but from decompiling valve maps and seeing what they did. And really, theres nothing wrong with modifying maps, its a great way for noobies to get a feel on hammer before making there first complete map...

Your right though, decompilers usually have a lot of errors. So when your run the decompiled map its a hit or miss as to whether it would work.



tcp, if you are talking about how to decompile a valve map or one made professionally, you have to use GCFscape, which cracks open GCF files so you can go into them and pull out the bsp which it is in. Heres the link: http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/index.php?p=26
Click the installer button.

The GCF files for all the steam games you have are located in program files/steam/steamapps. Click on the game of the map you want, you'll have to look around for it, because inside the gfc files are the sounds, scripts, models and textures to the game to, not just maps.

Thanks, i found a way and i've learned so much by just looking. I'm a crap mapper but might try make a mediocre map soon

[Blubla]

Sorry for bumping such an old topic....

You can also download every valve .vmf here: http://ivandelalande.free.fr/Ivan/ma...ls_decompiles/

You can decompile a protected map with a hacked/cracked vmex version....and remember never steal the work of others!

[SpikedRocker]

I am having issues decompiling. I tried VMEX...it opened a dos window but immediatly closed it, I assume I am doing something wrong...any ideas?

[Blubla]

I am having issues decompiling. I tried VMEX...it opened a dos window but immediatly closed it, I assume I am doing something wrong...any ideas?

Which Vmex version do you use?

Download this:
http://www.geocities.com/cofrdrbob/files/vmex098g.zip
http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index_jdk5.jsp

Download and install Sun's Java Runtime Environment 5.0.
After that open "Vmex.jar (or .bat)" and select a correct/working .bsp file.
If you still have a problem with vmex, just reply in here.