A Simple Offer

To the first man who posts and provides support for an easy-to-use, working, automatic VGUI for converting .wad files into working HL2 textures in one step, I will provide my services as a texture slave for life. I'll even write it in my custom title.

I have followed all tutorials, tried all methods, the whole nine yards, and I still cannot understand how to get a single texture to show up in Hammer and in game. Furthermore, it is beyond me as to how nobody has yet invented some program to simplify the process. Please don't tell me to use vtex or xwad, I hate them. Only after a period of days was I able to figure out how to use xwad, and even after my first successful conversion I apparently still had a long way to go before I could use my own damn textures.

I just want a damn VGUI that allows me to put in a .wad, click a button, have all the conversions and file moving and whatever done for me, and be able to see my textures in Hammer/ingame in the mod of my choosing immediately afterwards.

It may be a stupid request, and I have no doubt that I could eventually figure out how to convert textures through the method that's already there, but just bear with me. The reward is more than worth it.

For those unfamiliar with my texturing accomplishments, I have been texturing for four years, been on five mod teams over three games, and done innumerable texture requests in varied styles for several people. I can work with any material except for tile floors, which are the bane of my existence, and outdoor/terrain textures are very much my specialty.

Here are some samples for your viewing pleasure (monstrous file sizes, you've been warned):

http://www.snarkpit.com/pits/cassius/sample/

Also, see the map Fool's Paradise on my profile for a look at my textures in action.

Get coding, chaps.

This is going to sound strange but:

1) Does vtex convert PCX images?

2) Can you upload vtex.exe somewhere and post a link here?

3) Is the source for vtex.exe available in the SDK? (Is any source code available in the SDK yet?)

This sounds doable, but I don't have HL2.

PS: If posting vtex.exe is illegal, then ignore this.

Edit: I think I may be able to handle TGAs directly, but I would prefer PCX.

Ok, I dunno about 1 step, but 1 way is extracting all the textures you want to use, save them as 32bit TGA files, shuv 'em into the vtex/materials directory then start vtex, and you'll have working textures that have thier bump map thingies. Pretty straight forward- its the exact same process as making sprays cass. Don't forget that blue 255 isn't used anymore though.

It's quite a simple and easy process to convert TGAs into textures, but you're right, someone needs a GUI which can make textures (and let you choose options such as material type etc.)

thank you for posting this topic sir Cass.....ive been too much of a chicken s**t to do so myself....and until hl2 came along, i was thinking i was becoming fairly competant at texture art myself (note, i havent posted in the art forums for quite some time...) i have tried to aleviate the problem to the extent that i am able, to no avail....and i will join you in a life of "texture slavery" to the einstein who produces such a prog. i will also go so far as to once again offer my last born child to the texture gods... :smile: (shes becoming a mouthy little s**t anyway... )

Dr Brasso... :dodgy:

Er, guys? Can someone post the vtex program?

It's in the Source SDK, frag.

I'll have to try that, Myrk. If this works, I be thy slave.

EDIT: What vtex/materials folder? I'm so confused.

Editing question, m'kay, but follow the tutorial carefully- it's a bit difficult to read but I'll edit it for clarity...

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Cassius</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>It's in the Source SDK, frag.

I'll have to try that, Myrk. If this works, I be thy slave.

EDIT: What vtex/materials folder? I'm so confused.

</DIV></DIV>
I don't have HL2. Anyway, I got the file. So don't bother.

materials src or something... if you just put a tga in one of the folders, then try the program then check around until you've tried putting it individually in each folder and found one that works, then use that folder. Takes about 20 seconds to find out I found.

Myrk, I'm officially your slave.

Myrk, I'm officially your slave.

I thought you wanted to convert entire WADs ?
This
tutorial says that there's an app called xwad that does it
directly....

/me wanders off.

I see a lot of dealings between Myrk- and Casseo in #snarkpit in the near future ...

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Myrk-</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>materials src or something... if you just put a tga in one of the folders, then try the program then check around until you've tried putting it individually in each folder and found one that works, then use that folder. Takes about 20 seconds to find out I found.

</DIV></DIV>
http://www.valve-erc.com/srcsdk/Materials/materials_creation.html

YUS I HAVE A SLAVE! Mwahahhaha, I'll pack him up with the 3 souls I've collected over time...

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Myrk-</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>YUS I HAVE A SLAVE! Mwahahhaha, I'll pack him up with the 3 souls I've collected over time... </DIV></DIV>
Treat Cass nice now :wink: I look up to that guy.

Or, he looks down at you :razz: