Using hammer without steam or tf2

darley

L1: Registered
Dec 17, 2015
4
1
This might sound ridiculous, and likely is, but is there any way to use hammer without having steam, tf2, or any other source game on my computer?

I do have a computer with all of the game files on it, and the reason that don't have those two on this computer is because it is a school computer where everything to do with games is blocked.

Could I simply transfer the files from computer to computer using a USB drive? ( Because that has worked before with other files) or do I need to do something more complicated. Also, what files would need to be transferred? I think I already have all of the .vpk and necessary .dll files, but I know i'm missing something important.

If this question is just downright crazy or if there is a possible way for this to work, please let me know, for I am very new to mapping and this corner or the tf2 community in general.

Thanks!
 

killohurtz

Distinction in Applied Carving
aa
Feb 22, 2014
1,016
1,277
This question was discussed in the Steam group chat, and while nobody has tested it yet or come up with a definitive answer, we did think it might be possible.

First, you're probably going to need the entire base game, minus the stock maps, on your USB drive - I'm going to estimate that's between 10-15 GB, so a 16 GB drive would be your safest bet. Second, you'll need to configure Hammer to read the new file paths by editing the directories listed in GameConfig.txt (found in the Team Fortress 2/bin folder). There is a good chance TF2 will not be able to launch without Steam installed, though, so you may not be able to test any maps you compile in-game. Other than that, I don't see any reason this wouldn't work.
 

darley

L1: Registered
Dec 17, 2015
4
1
Ok thank you so much for the help :3
I'm going to try it soon and post my results
 

darley

L1: Registered
Dec 17, 2015
4
1
You cannot launch your map without steam installed and logged in, you'll get a "CD Key authentication invalid for internet servers" error.
Yes I know, I plan to make the map during the day on my school computer and test the map at night on my other one.
Btw, thanks for the mapping videos you made, it really got me into this kind of stuff :3