The HL Modding Thread

[Sub]

This thread is for anyone who wants a place to start learning a particular skill in regards to Half-Life modding.  I'm going to start the ball rolling by posting some tutorials and sites that I know of.  I know that some of the sections need improvement, but i'm clueless on some aspects of modding and did my best.  We have a rather talented community so if anyone here has any tips, advice, or knows a good site, by all means post it and I'll edit it into this first post.

Modeling
Modeling is used to create new characters or objects in the game world.  Modeling takes a lot of practice to become good at, but with some patience and time you’ll get there.  

One of the following programs is needed to model:

• Milkshape 3D
• 3D Studio Max [not free, but trial available]

Online Milkshape tutorials:

• http://chumbalum.swissquake.ch/ms3d/tutorials.html
• http://www.tutorialguide.net/3d_software/milkshape/
• http://www.3dlessons.com/categories/3D-Tutorials-Milkshape-3D-Tutorials.html
• http://www.webdesign.org/web/3d-graphics/tutorials/skinning-a-building-in-milkshape-3d.6309.html

Online 3D Studio Max Modeling tutorials:

• http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorials/3DS-MAX/Modeling/1
• http://www.moddb.com/tutorials/basic-hl2-modeling-tutorial

Skinning
Once a model is complete, it needs to be skinned

The following program can be used for skinning:

• Adobe Photoshop [not free, but trial available]

Online Tutorials:

• http://www.moddb.com/games/half-life/tutorials/reskinning-a-model

Animating
Program needed to animate:

• 3D Studio Max  [not free, but trial available]
• Milkshape 3D

Online Tutorials:

• http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorials/3DS-MAX/Animation/1
• http://naiteki-kensei.com/forum/maps-models-and-skins/damaera's-animation-tutorial-(3dsmax)/

Mapping
To create levels in Half-Life, you need to learn how to map.  

The following program is needed for creating maps in Half-Life:

• Valve Hammer Editor

Kong's Mapping Setup Tutorial

• http://naiteki-kensei.com/forum/maps-models-and-skins/kong's-mapping-setup-tutorial/

Totalvamp's How to create terrain and cliffs tutorial

• http://naiteki-kensei.com/forum/maps-models-and-skins/howto-create-terrain-and-cliffs/

Online Tutorials:

• http://twhl.co.za/index.php
• http://www.moddb.com/tutorials/beginners-guide-to-valve-hammer-editor
• http://www.cstrike.ro/tutorial_valve_hammer_editor.php
• http://members.fortunecity.com/1wayout/

• http://articles.thewavelength.net/384/
• http://server.counter-strike.net/maps/tutorials.php
• http://www.egir.dk/index.php?page=list_tutorials.php
• http://www.vlatitude.com/tutorials.php
• http://articles.thewavelength.net/

Sprites
Programs needed:

• Sprite Wizard
• Sprite Viewer

In addition to the two above, you need a program for creating / editing images. One of the following would do:

• http://www.gimp.org/
• Adobe Photoshop [not free, but trial available]
• Paint Shop Pro [not free, but trial available]

Online Tutorial:

• http://www.photo-sport.ch/diverts/quark/english/sprites.htm
• More to be added soon

Sounds
Creating your own sounds in Half-Life is relatively easy.

You'll need a program to edit sounds.  One of the following will do:

• Adobe Soundbooth [not free, but trial available]
• http://www.goldwave.com/

Simply rip the sound you want and replace it with the sound you want to replace.  All Half-Life sounds must be in the following format:  22KHz wma files that are MONO. No STEREO sound.  [Source on this is Grega, someone correct me if this doesn't apply to NNK]


Coding
If you're looking to code a HL mod, you're going to need to learn C++.  C++ is one of the most widely used programming language out there and was used to create Half-Life as well as Half-Life 2.  Learning C++ can seem daunting at first, but there are a lot of resources available and if you take it step by step, you'll get good enough with time.  If on the other hand you're looking to simply make some changes to NNK [whenever it's released], you're going to need to learn Pawn.  Pawn is a programming language used to create AMXX plugins.  It's a lot easier to learn when compared with C++, but I recommend learning C++ regardless.  

C++ Section
The only program needed to code is a compiler, but there are several you can choose from.  Here are some of the more popular choices:

• Microsoft Visual Studio
• Code Blocks
• Mingw

Which one should you choose?  Microsoft Visual Studio is arguably the best and most popular compiler.

Online Sites for learning C++:

• http://www.learncpp.com/
• http://www.cplusplus.com/
• http://www.cprogramming.com/tutorial.html

Books:

• Sams Teach Yourself C++ In 21 Days
• C++ Primer

I own both of these books and there both great.  Don't be fooled by the title of the Sams book, however, you can't expect to learn C++ in 21 days.  If you don't want to spend any money, I suggest going to your local library and checking to see if any books are available there.

Once you've learned C++, the following sites are good resources:

• http://articles.thewavelength.net/
• http://hlci.thewavelength.net/content/index.php [old, a lot of articles no longer up]
• http://web.archive.org/web/20070807220631/collective.valve-erc.com/index.php?area=search&game=Half-Life&category=coding

If you're looking to program for Half-Life, you can have a look around the source code for Mechmod and ESF Alpha 2.0

• http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=172737&package_id=197726&release_id=434192
• http://forum.esforces.com/showthread.php?t=11889

Pawn Section
You need amxx and a compiler, both of which can be found on the amxx homepage:

• http://www.amxmodx.org/

Online Tutorials for learning Pawn:

• http://wiki.amxmodx.org/index.php/Pawn_Tutorial
• http://www.compuphase.com/pawn/pawn.htm

[/list][/list]

[Sub]

So I added another mapping tutorial (twhl).  According to Grega, it's the only site you'll ever need.  I think the coding and mapping sections are pretty complete, but does anyone have some links for skinning, spriting or animating?

[Tom]

Coding

C++ Section
The only program needed to code is a compiler, but there are several you can choose from.  Here are some of the more popular choices:

• Microsoft Visual Studio
• Dev-++
• Mingw

Which one should you choose?  Microsoft Visual Studio is arguably the best and most popular compiler, but Dev-++ is easier to use and not bad to get started in.

Personal opinion: Dev-++ is not easier to use, but maybe that's because I've been using Visual Studio forever

Fact: Dev-++ is no longer a good IDE, in fact it's horrible for newbies to use because it's clunky, hasn't been updated in YEARS and has a lot of bugs. Not to mention how often it crashes So I would NOT recommend using Dev-++.

If Visual Studio is not to someone's liking (or they're not on Windows) I would suggest Code::Blocks, it uses the GCC, but can be configured to use Microsoft's compiler.

[xNEOx]

Online Mapping Tutorials in Spanish
http://www.hlspain.com/?ir=Maping1.php
http://www.hlspain.com/?go=maping2
http://www.hlspain.com/?go=mapping3


 

[mrpostiga]

And maya. not used why???

[Peezee]

So for modelling, what does the NNK team use? Milkshape or 3D studio max?