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How to extract files from TF2

By Frying Dutchman

In this guide I will explain how you can extract texture and model files from Team Fortress 2 vpk's.
This will alow you to get to the music, voice lines, observe textures or getting models files and more assets from TF2.

Award

Created by

Frying Dutchman
Offline

Category: Modding or Configuration, Walkthroughs, Weapons, Workshop

Languages: English

Class: Demoman, Engineer, Heavy, Medic, Pyro, Scout, Sniper, Soldier, Spy

Posted

Updated

May 31, 2013 @ 7:56am

Dec 29, 2020 @ 6:39am

13,197	Unique Visitors
191	Current Favorites

Guide Index

Overview

Introduction, so what is this?

Recommended Programs

Finding and opening up the VPK's

Finding the files you need in the correct VPK

Examples of finding files

Frequently Asked Questions

Comments

Introduction, so what is this?

Hey there, If you are reading this guide you must have wondered as to how you can view the textures or models from TF2 yourself right?

Well since May the first 2013, Team Fortress 2 has switched to a new method of loading and storing files called "Steampipe". Now files are stored wihin '.vpk's', these .vpk files are also the files we'll be opening to search and extract files from the game.

So, within this guide I'll exmplain you exactly how you open up the vpks, navigate them to find what you need and extract files from them.

The uses for Extracting files

Originally posted by New Contributor:
But why would I even want to extract files from the game?

Well there are numerous answers for that, one of them is to customize items already ingame for example. Wishing to modify or customize assets to your own liking. Maybe you would prefer the sentry gun to be black and white for the teams instead?

Or more commonly it is for starting out TF2 workshoppers and contributors. Gaining access to the files ingames can help you with your own work and improve.
Perhaps you are having troubles creating your own item, maybe that wood texture just does not look right. Closely paying attention to textures already in the game could be that secret to find out what could be improved with your own textures

And if youre not really into modding it's still exciting to see what TF2 is made out of, like a big treasure hunt of mold, dust and hats!

Recommended Programs

To get started you will need a couple of programs so you can open up and view files from Team Fortress 2. Don't worry, the programs are small in size and very easy to use. Below you'll find links and information to get them.

Team Fortress 2

🎮Click here to download Team Fortress 2

To open up files from Team Fortress 2 you of course will need to have the game installed on your machine, click the link above if you do not have it.
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GCFScape

💾Click here to download GCFScape[www.tophattwaffle.com]

What is GCFScape?
GCFScape is a program which you can use to open up and explore archive files such as .GCF and .VPK files. These are the file formats Source packs it game data.

If you are interested in more information about the program have a look at the Valve Developer Wiki here
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VTFEdit

💾Click here to download VTFEdit[www.tophattwaffle.com]

What is VTFEdit?
VTFEdit is a program where you can view and edit VTF and VMT files, these are the file formats Source Engine uses for its textures.

If you are interested in more information about the program have a look at the Valve Developer Wiki here
▪

Anything else?

For this guide you do not need anything else, we are only going to locate the files and open them up. But maybe some cool music wouldnt hurt.

After you are done downloading and installing the programs you can proceed to the next step below.

Finding and opening up the VPK's

After you have succesfully installed the programs from the previous step it is time to proceed and open up GCFScape. Once you open up GCFScape you should be greeted by the following empty screen:

Now navigate to 'File' in the top left corner and click on 'Open'
Alternatively press "Ctrl+O" on your keyboard.

Now this should have opened a new window where you can explore the contents of your computer.
Navigate trough the following:

Steam
- steamapps
  - common
    - Team Fortress 2
      - tf

As you can see above I have my Steam installed on my E: drive, yours could be on a C: or D: drive.
Once you've succesfully navigated trough the folders you should be in the 'tf' folder.
In this folder you'll find various other folders and if you scroll down you'll find the .vpk files.
Succes! You're halfway there!

Now, there are four vpk files that end with '_dir'
Each contains an aspect of TF2's content, these are the following:

tf2_misc_dir.vpk
tf2_sound_misc_dir
tf2_sound_vo_english_dir
tf2_textures_dir

Now open up 'tf2_misc_dir.vpk' and you are done, you've safely opened up a vpk and should have a window similair to the following image below:

Finding the files you need in the correct VPK

Now that you know where to find the VPK files and how to open them, you might be wondering which you need to open to find the files you need.

The following paragraphs shall explain what is inside each VPK.

💾 tf2_misc_dir.vpk

Contains the following:

Model files
VMT files ( Material files for textures only, see 'tf2_textures_dir.vpk' for image files.)
Particles
Scripts

This VPK contains model files for the game. Such as the weapons, playermodels or other props.
This VPK also holds the VMT files for textures, to get the actual texture files you need:"tf2_textures_dir"

▪

🎨 tf2_textures_dir.vpk

Contains the following:

Textures

This VPK contains all the texture files in the game. All the images used for weapons, playermodels or the environment. Their corresponding material properties are found in: "tf2_misc_dir.vpk"

▪

🎵 tf2_sound_misc_dir.vpk

Contains the following:

Sounds, Music

This VPK contains all the ambient sounds, music, weapon sounds and various other sounds from the game. If you're looking for the voice lines the classes say, you'll need to open up:"tf2_sound_vo_english_dir.vpk"

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🔊 tf2_sound_vo_english_dir.vpk

Contains the following:

Voice lines

This VPK contains all the lines the classes say such as Scout's witty lines or Spies visits to Scouts mother. If you're looking for the various sounds you hear in the game you'll need to open:"tf2_sound_misc_dir.vpk"

Examples of finding files

💾 Example 1: Extracting the models for the Black Box
For this you'll need to open: 'tf2_misc_dir.vpk'