Model editing
Hi,
I'm playing around with modifying some models.
Basically, I want the in-game model (models/props_gameplay/screen_button2.mdl) but without the arrow on the button.
So, I've decompiled it using Cannonfodders Studio Compiler.
That gave me some smd files, and also the .tga texture file.
I found a prog (fragMotion, http://www.fragmosoft.com/) for editing smd files, but I'm not sure its working quite right for Portal files.
It doesnt show the model textured properly, and it doesnt seem to export back to the .smd file correctly either.
Maybe I shouldn't be using fragMotion?
What other programs do you guys us for editting smd files?
* Would be good if the program was free 
Thanks,
Rob.
People often use the XSI|Softimage Mod Tool for modelling in the Source engine; it has a set of plugins that let you import and export SMD files. I also think there are a few other modelling programs that support SMD files.
Now with 100% more inline comments!
In XSI you would have to remove the polygons of the arrow and replace the dark place in the textures where the arrow was.
The decompiled model will get a shadow problem on a flat side.
XSI is my prefered program for Valve models, because a lot of them are done there and it's free!
If you see just a placeholder texture in XSI it doesn't mean that it couldn't load it! If there is just a grey flat shaded texture, then it couldn't load it.
Just for you, I made the model + animations and all it's 3 skins Screen Button No Arrow
Feel free to use it if your own try fails.
Oh and this is how my QC for this looks like:
- Code: Select all
$cd "W:Portal 2Rekompiliert"
$modelname "props_gameplay/screen_button_no_arrow.mdl"
$body studio "button.smd"
$cdmaterials "models/props_gameplay/"
$illumposition 0.000 0.000 3.797$texturegroup skinfamilies
{
{ "screen_button_no_arrow.vmt" }
{ "screen_button_no_arrow_off.vmt" }
{ "screen_button_no_arrow_old.vmt" }
}$sequence BindPose "BindPose" fps 30.00
$sequence release "release" fps 24.00
$sequence release_idle "release_idle" fps 24.00
$sequence press_idle "press_idle" fps 24.00
$sequence press_release "press_release" fps 24.00
$sequence press "press" fps 24.00