Tutorial: XSI to Source Engine

ElysiumGX

I've written a tutorial on how to get a simple prop from XSI into the Source Engine.
This guide uses the free Mod Tool for exporting a model, and properly explains the process of compiling a model and material for Team Fortress 2. But the method can be used for any Source Engine game. I wrote this as a quick reference for myself, but it should be just as helpful for anyone new to HL2 modding. Comments, Corrections, and Cake are welcomed. Thanks.

http://willc3d.com/tutorials/xsi2source.html

Renaud Galand

Really cool ! Thx for the tutorial

MoP

Nice one, thanks for writing this up.

Rob Galanakis

Great! These things are always useful.

AnimeAngel

Awesome, thanks

Mark Dygert

Really nice info!

It would be great to see one of these for 3dsmax wunderboy's SMD exporter for 3dsmax.
http://www.wunderboy.org/3dapps.php#max_smd

ElysiumGX

Vig: This is only a simple prop with no animations. So exporting an SMD from Max should be easy enough. Create a mesh, UV map, apply an image, export as SMD model. From there, the instructions in this guide can still be followed. I'm willing to include tips for Max and Maya users if necessary.

I used the Mod Tool for this tutorial because it's freely available to everyone, with many advanced features. Only a couple years ago, hobbyist new to the mod community didn't have that. The object used in this tutorial, and the high polygon mesh used to create the normal map, were all created using it. The high poly was possible under polygon limitations because the mesh is simple.

ElysiumGX

Small correction made. Only Steam is required to be running to compile models, not Source SDK. Made changes due to this.

Also, thanks for the comments. I'm in the middle of writing the follow up to this, which will explain using simple bone animations, and triggering them in game.