I've never actually animated anything myself (well at least not in dota 2). I don't know how valve has their ward stuff set up because typically you would animate source models with .smd animation files and then later compile them (+ your model smd) with the QC file. However, I don't really know how I would do this for dota 2... sorry.

I'm sure there are some tutorials out there for animating models for wards.

http://i.imgur.com/ja1Nk9C.gif

You can do that by extruding. Select a face > press "e" > press "s" > left click > press "s" again to scale down > press "e" to extrude and move inwards or outwards.

You can use the cut tool (I think it's "K"). It's hard to say exactly "how" to do it. I do different things different ways depending on what I need.

My pleasure!

Take a look at Swizzle's texture guide: http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73559

Valve did mention that they would eventually get the importer to approve weapons, so we can always wait... It's just a matter of time. And frankly, TF2 doesn't seem to be at the top of Valve's priorities right now (especially with the new steam universe thing and Dota 2).

I'm not sure why they submit them anymore. Some users like SVDL who are pretty successful submit them in the slim chance that Valve might use them in bigger updates; however, if you're still trying to get your name out in the workshop, submitting weapons won't work.

Some people still make weapon skins for modding purposes, and then they later upload it to the workshop just for consistency. I had a few weapons uploaded to the workshop before the implementation of the new importer, but since then I haven't made any weapons since it would have been largely a waste of my time.

Stick to hats or misc items if you want a much better chance at getting an item shipped.

1) Don't place blame on the guide.

2) You get better with practice. Don't expect to upload your first ever model and be praised... Some people spend years doing this before getting good. Practice makes perfect. Experiment and make more things. You'll get better.

3) Lastly, make original things. There are already 8 fedoras in the game.

1) Don't waste your time making weapons. They aren't supported by the in-game importer, and Valve won't use them!

2) If you really want to anyway (which would be dumb), then you can figure out what bones you need by decompiling a spy weapon from the vpk and seeing what bones it uses. http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showpost.php?p=18003290&postcount=2

Scroll down to the FAQ that deals with weapon making.

Recalculate your normals (select all of your faces in edit mode > recalculate normals).

In the future, use imgur.com as a preferrered image hosting site.