The mystery of the model "props_am\checkpointdesk.mdl" - erased from existence?

General Development Source 1
#1

So, in my map there is a desk using model “props_am\checkpointdesk.mdl”.

If anyone’s wondering, it’s the desk with blue battry on it, bottom right. This picture is from the old version of the map, taken circa late 2015.

I was shocked to find that Hammer was unable to find this model this morning.

At first, I assumed they (developers) changed the model name. Sadly, I looked around the model viewer for quite a long time, primarily props_am folder. Alas, no trace of model could be found in the model viewer.

It’s not like I changed the model name recently either; my old VMF file from April 3rd 2016 still point toward this model. This VMF is from before the Surface Tension update. (pic below)

The bms_models_dir.vpk also do not contain said model. (pic below)

The recent Surface Tension patch notes do not mention the removal of this model. I had assumed the model was removed from the game without mention. I mean, such things happen. However, things got more interesting when I decided to roll back to old version of Black Mesa (and get the model file out).

This models VPK file is one from 2015, pre-December Update (CU2, if I remember correctly). Surprisingly, there still is no trace of this model. What’s going on?

I am quite baffled. How is it possible the model is not in 2015 version of the game, if I indeed had played the game and could see the model well back then?

I’m not computer expert - I’m just a humble mathematician. If anyone can shed a light on this problem, please help me solve this mystery. Computers are weird. Maybe I’m missing something. Maybe answer is very childish-ly easy. But I really do not get what might be the problem.

P.S. Yeah, I could just use another model for the desk. But the mystery’s been holding me off from the work. Beside, as a level designer you know how much it is painful to change structure of the room after it’s been settled down.

#2

Sorry to hear that. But keep it up! I am really anticipating you’re work XD

#3

Do you know if it appeared anywhere in a canon map, and/or do you have a better picture of it? I get the feeling I’ve seen this prop before, but have nothing concrete.

#4

The plot thickens…

I looked in my backup of the v0.2.1 files, and the prop is there.

Maybe Steam didn’t download the files properly when you rolled back to the cu2 update. Have you tried verifying the game cache?

#5

I had that feeling too, unfortunately, the props you see in AM are different from what I’m looking for. You can see that the model I use is straight I shaped. There isn’t such desk used in AM. The model name “checkpointdesk.mdl” extremely implies it’s used in a checkpoint room of some sort, but the checkpoint room use brush based desk. I were able to find the model and the texture for this desk, however. So that’s good.

So I re-downloaded the file again… and you are right. It really was in the models VPK this time! I’m not sure what happened when I rolled back the first time. Maybe I really should have checked it twice.

The mystery still remain, however. Because like I said, this model did not disappear for Surface Tension update. It disappeared the morning I posted this article. I don’t remember any updates that day.

Ah, who cares. I got the model back and that’s whats important. Thanks man!

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.