Wiki: File Types and Formats

The following is a list of file types that are commonly found when mapping.

Extension	Name	Engines	Details
.bsp	Binary Space Partition	Goldsource, Source	This is a compiled map file that the engine will load. Compile tools turn your map in the editor into a BSP file.
.fgd	Forge Game Data	Goldsource, Source	This is a definition file used by Hammer and other editors to detect what entities are available to be used. Each game and mod will use its own FGD file, so be sure to use the correct one for your game. The name "Forge" comes from the original codename for the Worldcraft editor, now known as Hammer.
.lin	Linear Pointfile	Goldsource, Source	Compile tools will generate a pointfile when there is a leak in your map. You can open the pointfile in your editor to trace a line from the leaking entity to the outside of your map. It is recommended you use the LIN file over the PTS file, if it is available.
.log	Log file	Goldsource, Source	A log file is typically generated by compile tools or other programs to save their output to a file. You can view them in Notepad or any other text editor. If you have errors during your compile, you can check the log file for details.
.map	Quake MAP file	Goldsource	The MAP format is the format used by Quake editors and it can be used by Goldsource editors as well, though an RMF is a better option. Goldsource compile tools require a map to be in MAP format, however the editor will automatically do this.
.pnt	Pointfile	Goldsource, Source	Compile tools will generate a pointfile when there is a leak in your map. You can open the pointfile in your editor to trace a line from the leaking entity to the outside of your map, however it is sometimes difficult to follow the line. If your tools generate a .lin file, it will probably be easier to follow.
.rmf	Rich Map Format	Goldsource	RMF files are the source format of maps created by the Hammer editor. The format is perfect for Goldsource maps, however it cannot be used for any other engine. Unlike the MAP format, RMF saves groups, visgroups, colours, and other metadata that Hammer displays.
.rmx	RMF Backup	Goldsource	When Hammer saves your RMF, it first renames the existing RMF file to RMX. Think of it as a snapshot of your map from the previous save. It is not, however, a very good version control mechanism. You should store your map source files in a source control system such as SVN or Git.
.spr	Sprite file	Goldsource	This is a sprite file for the Goldsource engine.
.vmf	Valve Map Format	Source	The VMF format was created as a successor to the RMF format. Rather than RMF's binary layout, VMF uses a text based layout similar to XML or JSON. This is better for version control systems, and it aslo makes it easy for other editors to extend upon the format to add custom items.
.vmt	Valve Material Type	Source	This is a material for the Source engine. A VMT is a text-based shader definition, the actual texture is typically stored in a related VTF file.
.vpk	Valve Package	Source	This format is very similar to the PAK format used by Quake, however it is modified to match Valve's requirements. VPK files typically contain all the maps, models, materials, sounds, and other files for Source games downloaded from Steam.
.vtf	Valve Texture Format	Source	A file for that Source engine that contains image data. VTF files are referenced by a material specified by a VMT file.
.wad	WAD texture file	Goldsource	In the Quake engine, WAD stands for "Where's All the Data?", as this format stored all the different data types used by the engine. In Goldsource, however, only textures are stored in WAD files. Use Wally to edit them.

File Types and Formats Last edited 6 years ago2018-06-16 10:32:30 UTC

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