How to install content packs or other custom content

Yrr

An Actual Deer
aa
Sep 20, 2015
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There are two ways to install custom content for use in hammer, and I'm going to attempt to explain the hows and whys of each here.

XNb4xPu.png


For the purposes of this, we're going to assume that the content pack is a root folder containing materials, models, etc subfolders. This is the standard structure for custom assets but you may find some that are two folders deep or just the models/ or materials/ subfolders. Hopefully you can figure out how these steps apply to those.

Adding To TF/Custom

UWW0Jqz.png


Pasting the root folder into tf/custom is by far the easiest method, and makes organisation of assets easier. It is also easier to maintain as, when a content pack is updated, you can simply delete the old version and add the new one.

The downside to this method is that certain packing tools won't find the custom folder automatically, and the assets will need to be located manually. This is not a problem if you are using CompilePal, CompilePal will find these assets regardless.

Merging With TF/

PdGpLDi.png


Pasting the subfolders into the tf/ folder, merging the models folder with tf/models, the materials folder with tf/materials, etc is the old-school method, it is also considered the more "professional" method by some. Doing this ensures the assets are all in the same place, and thus are easily located by packing programs such as VIDE.

The downside of this method is that assets become substantially more difficult to organise. Being mixed in with all the other custom assets makes it harder to trace the origin of, update or delete an asset, if you haven't been keeping a list of what assets belong to what packs/authors.


Hopefully you find this useful and figure out which method of installation is right for you.
 
Last edited:

kidwhix | tipofthehats

L1: Registered
Sep 11, 2016
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0
Neither worked for me, I installed compilepal but I dont understand how it works. Could I get a walkthrough on how to do it for compilepal?
 

DrLambda

L69: Teeheehee, Member
aa
Feb 18, 2015
458
475
Neither worked for me, I installed compilepal but I dont understand how it works. Could I get a walkthrough on how to do it for compilepal?

Compilepal can do both of the methods described above. I'd advise using the custom folder. You open the map in Compilepal, choose your compile option, click on "PACK" and click the checkbox in the middle of the page that pops up. All custom content will now be packed into the map.
 

FunkEdge

L3: Member
Jan 14, 2017
143
59
I can't find tf/models. I found materials but not models
 

Diddybot

L1: Registered
Mar 8, 2017
8
0
Now that I have the .zip downloaded, where do I extract it to? I was unable to find an installation guide.
 

Pocket

Half a Lambert is better than one.
aa
Nov 14, 2009
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Translation: The creators couldn't be assed to make an installer for it.
 

LocalVeemo

L1: Registered
Apr 14, 2021
16
0
I've used method one, but the content pack's prop libraries show everything as an error. What went wrong?
 

Izotope

Sourcerer
aa
May 13, 2013
698
764
I've used method one, but the content pack's prop libraries show everything as an error. What went wrong?
Two possibilities:
1. You may have installed the Content Pack incorrectly.
2. The Content Pack may be incorrectly assembled.
In both cases it's fixed by moving the files to the correct place, could you share a screenshot of the directories for the pack so we can rule out causes?
 

LocalVeemo

L1: Registered
Apr 14, 2021
16
0
Upon going back into Hammer, the issue seems to have fixed itself, although now I want a plugin that fixes that horrible 'box-to-model' view distance, I really wanna see that zeppelin.

Still, it's a good idea to share the files incase the problem shows it's ugly head again.

upload_2021-8-16_9-23-24.png


upload_2021-8-16_9-44-25.png
 

Yrr

An Actual Deer
aa
Sep 20, 2015
1,308
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Upon going back into Hammer, the issue seems to have fixed itself, although now I want a plugin that fixes that horrible 'box-to-model' view distance, I really wanna see that zeppelin.
You may simply have not relaunched hammer for it to load the assets.

Anyway you can change the render distance for models by opening Tools>Options and clicking on the 3d Views tab