Tutorial: Setting up Crowbar for Half-Life/GoldSrc Last edited 9 months ago2024-01-15 08:10:32 UTC

This short tutorial will show you how to set up Crowbar for GoldSrc engine in general, Half-Life in particular, and optionally for your mod. We will configure it to use Sven Co-op SDK's studiomdl for the compiler as it has fixes and enhancements over the original Half-Life SDK's studiomdl.

First, you need to install Sven Co-op SDK from Steam: steam://install/276160
Then download Crowbar while you wait: https://steamcommunity.com/groups/CrowbarTool
Also download and install Half-Life Asset Manager if you don't already have it. https://github.com/SamVanheer/HalfLifeAssetManager/releases
After all three is done, open up Crowbar.
Switch to the Set Up Games tab.
Ignore the top 3/5s of the page right now. Focus on the bottom 2/5.
Set up Steam executable path to the correct path. The default of C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe is usually the correct one.
Now set up the steam library macros. Make sure at least there is one macro that points to where you have Half-Life installed, and one that points to where you install Sven Co-op's SDK. For the purpose of this tutorial we'll denote the following placeholders (fill with actual values:
- <library_HL> - where you have Half-Life installed.
- <library_SCSDK> - where you have Sven Co-op SDK installed.
Now go back to the top of the page. In the drop down, navigate to Half-Life.
Fill the following entries:
1. Executable (*.exe): <library_HL>\steamapps\common\Half-Life\hl.exe
2. LibList.gam: <library_HL>\steamapps\common\Half-Life\valve\liblist.gam
3. Model compiler: <library_SCSDK>\steamapps\common\Sven Co-op SDK\modelling\studiomdl.exe
4. Model viewer: <path to HLAM.exe>
[optional] To setup a copy of the config for a different game/mod, click "Clone", then rename the entry under Name. Then adjust the entries for:
1. Executable options: Add -game <modname> where <modname> is the name of the folder containing the game/mod
2. LibList.gam: Pointing to the file of said name inside the folder above

You are now set up to use Crowbar to decompile/[re]compile models for GoldSrc. Hopefully this tutorial has been useful for you.

Remember to select the correct game setup when compiling:

Article Credits
kimilil – Original author

2 Comments

Nswthomasfan

Commented 7 months ago2024-03-24 06:32:31 UTC Comment #106084

I wonder does this Method Possibly Work with The default studiomdl from the Half-Life SDK for WON Half-Life? (Even though I have the Seven Co-op studiomdl due to it being in the Half-Life Absolute Zero Development Drive)

I'm currently trying to compile the Early Python - https://combineoverwiki.net/wiki/File:357_beta.jpg RPG - https://combineoverwiki.net/wiki/File:Rpg_view_E3_1998.png and E3 Shotgun - https://combineoverwiki.net/wiki/File:Spas_view_E3_1998.png (Which were in the 2023 HL: Source Repo Leak even though the RPG's Mesh Has been in the SDK - https://web.archive.org/web/20190612095724mp_/https://forum.facepunch.com/games/sqrb/VALVE-CUT-CONTENT-V2-1-Digging-through-Valve-s-trash-since-2003/23/#postnqcrp plus the Worldmodel) and the MP5 that was in the SDK - https://combineoverwiki.net/wiki/File:Sdk_smg_view.png with the 0.52 Alpha Textures (I'm using Overwiki Photos since I can't attach my kwn pictures unless I upload them to an external Hosting Site) but I couldn't get the MP5 and Phython to compile (e.g. the Console outputs "forcedperspective.smd doesn't exist") Even with Crowbar so I'm wondering do i need to put <library2> at the Start of the Options even if I'm compiling for the WON Version?

kimilil

Commented 6 months ago2024-04-18 15:13:34 UTC Comment #106137

^ Crowbar is only a frontend for whichever studiomdl you choose. The problem you're facing seem to be errors with the .qc file referencing smd files that doesn't exist.

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