First source mod

Technology and Gaming Help and Support
#1

I like the idea of starting to mod the source engine and eventually make a full mod but I don’t know where to start. I’ve looked around for tutorials but they all seem to be for specific thing and I feel rather overwhelmed.

I’m sure there are people here with talent and experience and so I was wondering if anyone could give me an idea where to start and what programs are used and where is the best place to start or had any tips for a (not even yet) newbie to (the modding side of) source.

Sorry if this has posted before but I tried the search but looking for something like ‘source mod’ didn’t have any useful results.

#2

I am starting up a mod, if you want to help that would be appreciated greatly. What skills do you have?

#3

A good place to start if you’re learning mapping is https://www.halfwit-2.com or https://www.interlopers.net

#4

Well… none. I really don’t know where to start, I would like to start modding the source engine to eventually make a mod but was wondering where the best place would be to start and if someone could put me in the right direction.

edit: I’ve been thinking that I could start learning mapping or making skins or models, thanks for the links for the mapping I’ll look at those now.

#5

If you are looking to model try https://www.blender.org

Btw, if anybody is interested in Crabz n my mod, could they contact me so we can talk about designing a webpage.

Also, Crabz. pm your steam account name plz.

#6

fo sho

#7

Is blender the best program to use? I’ve heard of others like 3ds max. Are the differences in that any other ones just layout and slightly different features?

Eventually when I get any skills in anything I wouldn’t mind helping out if you’re still recruiting by that time :stuck_out_tongue: .

#8

TWHL is a good place for mapping tutorials for the basics, and the userbase will most likely be able to help with any question you have, regardless of which stream you’re working in.

Of course, mapping is where all the other streams come together- without maps, all a mod is is new code and models, with nowhere to show them off.

If you’re going to mod for source, you need the SDK and the SDK Base for whatever engine subversion you want to mod. Open the SDK, select “create a mod” and follow the instructions. Your mod will be fully set up shortly! (Of course, it will be a copy of the Lostcoast source test, so you’ll want to do actual work before you ship it.)

#9

Blender is free and only takes up about 12mb, 3dsm is like 6gb approx and is very expensive.

#10

Thanks for the link! There’s even a where to start page. :slight_smile:

Is 3ds max that much better? I could always… ‘acquire’ it.

#11

Some people say so, but personally I find Blender is awesome and if you get the 2.5 alpha 0 build it looks just like any other professional program.

#12

Blender has some functions which are not readily available in Commercial packages. Because it is open-source, they can put in functions that haven’t been fully stabalised, because they have nothing to use.

But for immediate ease of use, and render quality etc. use 3DS Max, that comes with excellent functions, It is easy to use at first, and although the learning curve gets steeper the move you delve into the program, it is a great choice of 3D Modelling program.

But basically, you need to try a multitude of different Modelling programs, and make your own decision based on that. :slight_smile:

EDIT: The main 3D Programs (As far as I’m aware) are:

  • 3DS Max
  • Blender
  • Maya
  • XSI

Try those if you can, and then chose your favourite one out of them. And don’t always go by what other people say, a lot of people seem to heavily bias in favour of the modelling program they use.

#13

I tried XSI and personally found Blender to be better, it just depends on personal preference.

#14

:fffuuu:

erm wow … there’re quite a few to choose from, I’ll see if I can give them a try but it’ll be difficult to find a way to judge which is better without ever doing any modelling before.

The thing is… I like 3DS Max, Blender, Mayar and XSI but which is better? There’s only one way to find out…

#15

FIGHT!!!

#16

I think I’ll try blender first, because it’s free and apparently small file size, while I’m trying to ‘acquire’ 3DS Max and the others.

Does anyone have any places that have good tutorials for blender or model making?

Edit: installed blender and it said something about needing a program called Python… will that be needed and what is it exactly?

… I couldn’t find one of these anywhere so I couldn’t resist making one:

750×600 43.9 KB

#17

The blender site itself.

Python is a programming language that blender is built it, it is needed to run blender, but it is only about 25mb.

#18

This thread restored my faith in humanity! Everyone was helpful and nice, and no one just told him to “GTFO newb!” :slight_smile:

Then I read the CCV thread (not linking to it), and my hopes were dashed again…

#19

GTF—No, I won’t.

#20

So I can get started on the mapping and modelling, but what are the other things like coding etc and how do I get started on those?

Founded in 2004, Leakfree.org became one of the first online communities dedicated to Valve’s Source engine development. It is more famously known for the formation of Black Mesa: Source under the 'Leakfree Modification Team' handle in September 2004.