How to use different models for the same enemy in the Source engine

[Kaweebo]

@CTID

by the way you guys mean Gonome, I hope, and not Gonarch. Gonarch is the mother headcrab that you kill at the end of HL 1.
also Gonome = not canon etc.

I always get those names mixed up. >.< It is neither canon or non-canon though. Valve has never specifically stated that OP4 was non-canon, but I think it is so I’m treating it as such. This is just my opinion however. Either way, even if OP4 was considered non-canon down the line, I think the Gonome would still be considered the ‘next phase’ of headcrab latching. But after doomy’s comment I’m starting to think a gonome may be a bad idea for what I’m trying.

[Keresh]

You can really change how the same model looks with good textures, but if you want to add a new model then you gotta start learning how to code.

[Kaweebo]

Fuck. That’s what I fearing. I guess I’ll try it, but, if you know how to use multiple textures that’d be cool.

[geekofalltrades]

@Asharil

The whole Route Kanal in HL2 was riddled with Labsuit-Zombies, strange considering that any civvies encountered en-route, be they dead or alive, were never sporting lab gear.

Those zombies are actually wearing a white shirt and jeans, like the rebels do when they’re not in their full rebel body armor getup.

@doomyshadowsquirrels

Metrocop zombies have bullet-proof vests and would unbalance gameplay. They’d have to be used seldomly.

Not to mention that they’d mess with the visual distinction among zombies. CP zombies would make it that much harder to pick a much more dangerous Zombine out of a group.

[Keresh]

@Kaweebo

Fuck. That’s what I fearing. I guess I’ll try it, but, if you know how to use multiple textures that’d be cool.

You have to decompile the model, add the info about the new textures(location, names, how many) in the variables file. That file should be a regular text file, if I remember correctly. It’ll show up after you decompile the model. After you’ve done all that (and made proper textures) you compile the model again. And that’s it.

[FeisEater]

Read this to have different textures:
https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Texturegroup
and this for different models:
https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Bodygroup
With bodygroups you can not only replace the whole model on loading an enemy, but also have parts of the model to be assigned at random (sometimes a zombie has a healthy left arm, sometimes no arm, sometimes a decaying arm etc.)

Unfortunately you do indeed have to learn to code as you need a source code of HL2 to implement the system. You may also examine how Valve implemented the mechanic with npc_citizens, as they coded something quite different for that.

[Kaweebo]

Well I guess it’s time to learn code then. Goddamnit. Thanks for your help guys!