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Before you do anything:

This tutorial continues on where part 2 ended. So we assume you've got some sort of mod folder. You can use your $INSTALL_DIR\valve folder too but I recommend caution if you do so.

How to modify game strings

What's a string?

A string is a line of text mostly. In the HL menus they are "Start a new game" or "Load a new game" and so on. In other words the descriptions of the buttons.

How do I modify them?

First we need to find out what the strings are. It's all in file package 1 available in the download custmod_03.zip. Within that directory is a file called HL_Res.RC. I recommend using a program that handles Resource template files for this. However text editors such as Notepad are capable of opening them but it will be a bit harder to acquire values then. Opening the HL_Res.RC (Using a program capable of resource templates) will look like this:

If you have a resource template capable program

First of all: Ignore the ID.

To find the line you wish to modify: You need to know what the line is. Then select find from the edit menu and write in that particular line.

Next create a file called strings.lst inside your mod's gfx/shell directory. Open it using a text editor. Now find the line you wish to edit. Look at it's value. Then write it's value first and then within " your text " write your text.

Example: 189 "Charge up Steinin's incomplete mod".

Start the mod and see if it has changed.

You don't have a resource template capable program?

If you don't have a resource template capable program you can use text editors. First open up the HL_Res.RC. Now the ID suddenly becomes important. Note that no values are written if you view in text editors. The values are stored in an external file called resource.h. That's a file generated by MS developer studio. Open up resource.h too. Find the line in HL_Res.RC as described above. Copy the ID ("Ctrl + C") from the HL_Res.RC, you can recognize an ID by the IDS_ . Go to resource.c. Choose find from edit and paste in the line ("Ctrl + V"). Then note the number next to the ID. That number is the value written in the resource template. Write it down in the strings.lst as described above. <String Example>

Making a console background and a loading screen.

I have described this earlier in a topic on the forums. However, that only created the same picture for the Conback and the loading screen. Now we want separate pictures. For this purpose, Master of Puppets and I have set up things to be as easy for you as possible.

You will need to open file package 2 found in the download custmod_3.zip.

Find a picture for the console background and one for the loading screen. Make sure they meet the following criteria:

The pictures must be:

• 320 x 200 pixels
• 256 colors or 8 bit
• BMP format

Name the files:

• The console background to console.bmp
• The Loading screen to Loading.bmp

Create the following folder: C:\console. Copy qlumpy and cached.ls from the file package 2 into C:\

Run command prompt and type the following: C:\qlumpy cached.ls.

You should get a new file called cached.WAD in C:\, copy it your mod's folder.

Run your mod with console and see if the console background has changed. If successful, run HL again, this time without console. Start a new game. Has the Loading screen changed? It should have.