How to setup TrenchBroom for Half-Life, Opposing Force and other mods

1. Get fgd files - zhlt.fgd, HalfLife.fgd, halflife-op4.fgd (optional), fgd of your mod and place in - TrenchBroom\games\Halflife

Place fgd files

2. Create new file - all.fgd (or any other name) with this lines:

@include "zhlt.fgd"
@include "HalfLife.fgd"
// @include "halflife-op4.fgd" <- uncomment if you want to create maps for Opposing Force
include additional mod files here too

all.fgd file

3. Launch TrenchBroom -> Open preferences... -> Half-Life -> Select Half Life directory (nor valve, not gearbox, just root directory of HL). Apply, OK.

4. On "Select Game" screen - select "Half Life", map format - "Valve"

5. Map editor will be opened. Click "Entity" on top right corner. Select on bottom - External -> Browse, choose our all.fgd file.

caption text

That's all for HL!

For Opposing Force and other mods

6. For OpFor click on "Map" at top right corner, at bottom select in MODS -> gearbox, click 2 times. For other mod select your mod and click 2 times

That's all for OpFor \ mods

Setting up compiling tools

In TrenchBroom:
Select "Run" -> "Compiling tools"
Click on plus icon and setup like on screenshot.

Commands list:

Name: Standart
Working directory: ${MAP_DIR_PATH}

Export Map
${WORK_DIR_PATH}/${MAP_BASE_NAME}.map

Run Tool
path to CSG -> example F:/J.A.C.K. HL1/compile_tools/sdHLCSG_x64.exe

Run Tool
path to BSP -> example F:/J.A.C.K. HL1/compile_tools/sdHLBSP_x64.exe

Run Tool
path to VIS -> example F:/J.A.C.K. HL1/compile_tools/sdHLVIS_x64.exe

Run Tool
path to RAD -> example F:/J.A.C.K. HL1/compile_tools/sdHLRAD_x64.exe

Optional - deleting temp files:
Delete Files
${WORK_DIR_PATH}/${MAP_BASE_NAME}.ext

Delete Files
${WORK_DIR_PATH}/${MAP_BASE_NAME}.log

Delete Files
${WORK_DIR_PATH}/${MAP_BASE_NAME}.prt

Delete Files
${WORK_DIR_PATH}/${MAP_BASE_NAME}.wa_

Troubleshooting

If at stage 5 you have errors like this:

Failed to parse included file: At line 1753, column 222: Expected '[', but got ':' (raw data: ':') (line 1753)

Check your fgd files for things like

@SolidClass = worldspawn : "This is the world entity. Each map can only contain one, and it's automatically created for you." : "http://twhl.info/wiki.php?id=162"

and delete

: "http://twhl.info/wiki.php?id=162"

that will do the trick

If editor is too bright for you or you want it to be like JACK
View -> Preferences -> View -> Brightness to 0
Layout - four Panes

By the way you can change view by clicking space in editor.

*To get familiar with TrenchBroom - you can watch some tutorials from @dumptruckds on Youtube. *

de_dust3

Commented 4 months ago2024-07-28 22:31:34 UTC Comment #106272

As of version 2024.1 (released march 4th), they've changed how WADs are managed.

From the github release:

WAD files are now managed by clicking on the wad property of the worldspawn entity. Selecting this property will show a list of WAD files below the entity property table. Use the buttons below the list to manage the wad files.

Admer456

Commented 4 months ago2024-07-29 20:04:53 UTC Comment #106275

Oh right I should probably update that. A simple screenshot change + edit the relevant paragraph a little bit.

Wertyartiom

Commented 3 months ago2024-08-12 16:07:28 UTC Comment #106296

Nice tutorial

Tutorial: Setting up TrenchBroom for Half-Life and its mods Last edited 1 year ago2023-05-22 22:10:58 UTC

How to setup TrenchBroom for Half-Life, Opposing Force and other mods

For Opposing Force and other mods

Setting up compiling tools

Troubleshooting

3 Comments