As the title states, I'm looking for help compiling a model with custom textures already applied, so I can view it in HLMV with said textures. Here's a quick run-down of what I've done so far:
1. I extracted and modified the VTFs as I wished, and then I converted them back to VTF files.
2. To confirm they would work in-game, I tested them as just a basic TF2 mod. They worked perfectly.
3. I then used Mecha Slag's MDL Hexer to set the VTF paths of the textures I wish to replace (soldier_blue and soldier_head) and put the textures in those respective folders.
4. Because I have no way of testing a pre-compiled model in-game (I don't have a test server), I loaded the newly hexed mdl file in HLMV and set the skin to skin 1. My result is as shown below:
And so that's that. I've tried googling solutions, but all I've found are basic tutorials on making basic skin mods; like I said, I'm trying to compile a model (or hex it) with entirely new textures for use in a new Hale, so those guides have been of little use to me. If anyone can help, it'd be greatly appreciated. If needed, I'll supply my QC.
EDIT: I moved the model to download/models/freak_fortress_2/nrcv3 and re-hexed the materials (I also made proper VMTs for them), but now skin1 shows up completely invisible:
In addition, notice how it says nothing about errors loading materials or VMTs. I know this isn't how HLMV handles custom textures either, as I've previewed other custom textures in the program before and they loaded fine. Either way, I know I'm making progress, but some extra help would still be appreciated.
FINAL EDIT: I found the solution, turns out I was using a wrong-ish setup for my VMT. I was using a basic lightmappedgeneric, but I had to use a vertexlitgeneric with a bunch of other things. In the end, this is what worked for me:
"VertexLitGeneric"
{
"$basetexture" "models/freak_fortress_2/nrcvxl2/soldier_blue"
"$bumpmap" "models/freak_fortress_2/nrcvxl2/soldier_blue"
"$envmap" "env_cubemap"
"$normalmapalphaenvmapmask" 1
"$envmapcontrast" 1
"$model" 1
"$selfillum" 1
}
I'll be keeping this thread up in case anyone else has a similar problem and needs the fix, sorry if it seems like spam.
Linear Mode
