recompiled model not finding textures

Ive tried a few different combinations whilst editing the .qc file trying to point it to the materials in hl2mp/materials/models/<mapname><modelname>

They are the original vmt and vtf from the cstrike gcf, I have edited the vmt to read currently:

VertexLitGeneric
{
    "$basetexture"    "models\<mapname>\<modelname>"

}

That points to the abovementioned folder setup, right?

So the qc file has been edited to read

$cdmaterials "models\<mapname>\<modelname>/"
// Model uses material "<texturename>.vmt"

where "models" is relative to the "materials" path in any structure, ie subfolder.

Every time I restart Hammer to look, it shows checkerboard on the model...Am I missing something syntax-wise or what's going on?

Alright i fought my way out of this wet paper bag. My vmt was missing the actual .vtf name, which is the same as the folder it sits in, so it was pointing to a nonexistent file. yay