Source Multi-Tool user guide

The user guide for Source Multi-Tool

Where to acquire latest build

Get the latest build from the release section on the official group here

How to install

Open the zip folder and extract the SDKLauncher folder to your desktop MAKE SURE THE FGD FOLDER COPIES OVER AS WELL.

How to use the Hammer Editor feature

Source Multi-Tool automatically checks for what Source Engine games you have installed as well as their Authoring tools. If you have both (or in the case of older games like HL2 and TF2 just the game) it will list it in the Game/Mod drop down list pictured below


Choose the game or SDK you wish to map for then click Hammer editor



Hammer or the authoring tool will now launch

How to use custom config

Custom config is a special feature that lets you mount whatever content you want to load up in hammer as well as allowing you to choose which fgds you wish to use.

Requirements:

• Source SDK 2013 Multiplayer must be installed and ran once

Setup:

Click Setup Custom Config


The custom config setup menu will now open up.


On the right you have fgds you can use, if you want to add more copy/paste them into the fgd folder and restart Source Multi-Tool. FGDs are the files hammer uses to figure out what entities you can place in hammer (THIS DOES NOT MEAN PUTTING THE HL2 FGD IN WITH TF2 WILL ALLOW YOU TO SPAWN NPCS THEY STILL RELY ON THE GAMES CODE).



On the left you have content you can choose to mount. If you do not have the game the content will not mount even if you check mark it. You can select as many as you want but keep in mind it will make load times longer. Source mods option mounts all your source mods you have installed in the sourcemods folder in steam/steamapps. HL2 is automatically mounted and can't be unselected due to the way customConfig works.



Below both of these you have the directories options. VMF location sets where you want by default to save vmfs.



When you are done setting things up click save

Back on the main menu choose custom config at the bottom of the drop down list next to Game/Mod then click Hammer Editor to launch hammer.

At the bottom there is a button labeled "Open Custom Asset Folder". Click this to open up the custom asset folder for customConfig. In here you can put your VPKs in order to mount even more content. See the VPK creator if you want to make a VPK.

NOTE: DO NOT USE THE RUN GAME AFTER COMPILING OPTION IN HAMMER YOU WILL CRASH

Garrys Mod custom config example

This is an example of what your config could look like if you are setting up for Garrys Mod

How to mount custom textures for Source Multi Tool

VPK creator

If you are not sure what a VPK is please read this for more information but the short answer is it is like creating a zip file but made by Valve for use with Steam and the Source Engine. VPK's are primarily used for packing custom content into a single file so that isn't loosely spread around. VPK's also work wonderfully with customConfig as it can mount all VPKs that are put in it's custom folder.

How to use VPK creator:

1. Create a folder on your desktop and name it whatever you want the vpk to be called.

2. Inside this folder create the following folders as needed:

• "models" (if your vpk is to contain models)
  
• "materials" (if your vpk is to contain materials)
  
• "sound" (if your vpk is to contain sounds)

and so on.

3. Place the content in the correct folders.

This is very much like putting custom assets into any Source game. See the example picture below


Note the file path at the top.

4. Choose the settings you want. If you are not sure what to choose go with Source SDK Base 2013 multiplayer (BE SURE YOU HAVE IT INSTALLED THOUGH). If your files in question are over 100mb it will split the VPK into multiple parts.

5. Drag the folder from your desktop on to Victors face

6. Wait as Victor works his magic

7. The VPK(S) will be wherever your original folder was

And that's it now you can mount custom assets easily or distribute your L4D2 campaign/addon.

Alternative

ChromeAngel over on ModDB has made a really good alternative to my program called Mod Maker, if my tool is not working out for you give his a shot!

http://www.moddb.com/members/chromeangel/blogs/mod-maker-v-190

[Wazanator]

I would like to do a fresh take on it at some point! Working on some other Source Engine related material I hope to be able to share soon :)

XBLAH did make a much more improved version of my tool but he does require I think a $1 per month on his patreon to use it.

[taurtiscirlan]

Are u going to ever update this tool again?

[re]

I keep getting this error despite having source sdk installed: FileNotFoundException: Could not find file 'c:\program files (x86)\steam\steamapps\common\Source SDK Base 2013 Multiplayer\bin\GameConfig.txt'.

[Ectozen]

it always says "you need access" when i try to download release 1.02

[Wazanator]

It does not, havent updated this tool in years

[name8828]

does this work for hammer++?

[xbox360]

how to make .vpk for gmod?

[xbox360]

cs go vpk supported?

[☯]

There is no SDKLauncher folder

[StealthMode℠™©®]

I will stick with known groups releases.
Like the actual SDK, and Hammer.
As well as the bases from 2k6, 2k7, 2k13.