Hi all.
As requested by AppleJack, I have created a quick tutorial on how to import custom pictures and covert them into textures.
Where can I find awesome pictures for textures?
CLICK HERE AND SAVE IT
To convert a picture into a texture, you will need the following program:
- VTF Edit - http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/index.php?c=178
There is a way to do it through photoshop, but I find VTF edit is easier to use and powerful for creating the VMT files.
How it works
When a picture is converted, it is changed into 2 files. a VTF (Valve Texture File) and a VMT (Valve Material File).
The VTF is the actual picture itself, where as the VMT dictates how the texture interacts with the world. An example of that would be a metal texture. Hammer/CS:S will not know that the texture is metal, unless the VMT tells hammer that it is.
How to import/save the picture
Open up VTF Edit.
Click file > Import
Select your file, then a screen like this will come up.
Leave the settings as is and click ok.
The texture will appear in the window.
Simply click File > Save As and navigate to your materials folder in steam.
Steam/Steamapps/UserName/counter-strike source/cstrike/materials/
It is recommended to create a new folder to host custom textures so they are easy to find. Example, I normally create a folder depending if its a metal or wood texture etc.
Now that you have saved your texture, you are halfway done!
How to create the VMT
On VTF Edit, click Tools > Create VMT
You should now see this screen like this:
Click on the Options tab
You should now see this screen:
Where it says Surface 1, click the drop down and select how you want the material to respond.
Example: If it is a brick texture like mine, click Brick. If its metal, click Metal.
There are other options but that will be covered in a future tutorial.
When you are happy, click Create AND SAVE IT IN THE SAME FOLDER AS THE VTF!
(If it says there is one existing already, overwrite it)
Once saved, you are done.
Reload hammer and the texture will be there!
Hope this tutorial helped. Feedback is appreciated
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