Custom models/skins/etc - Server-side

[Chilly]

I run a TF2 server for my clan and we try out a lot of different custom maps. I noticed the WIP thread for pl_alpine has a green cart skin that looks pretty nice. I also know Lotus Clan has a horse model on their server that replaces the cart and I've seen various HL2 critters as carts as well.

I know where to find these resources online, but I'm not sure how to implement them on our server. We have a fast download server for maps, so I'm assuming these resources need to be placed there in addition to the server itself. But where would they go and would the skins work or only the custom models? Would the fast download models/skins need to be bzipped?

I don't need my hand held through the whole process... just a general idea of where I should be looking. It would be greatly appreciated.

 

[AWESOME-O]

I assume it works the same as the css admin skins, just look for a tutorial about cs:s admin skins

 

[Chilly]

Awesome. Thanks. I'll report back once I figure it out, in case someone else is searching for this info.

 

[Crimson]

I wrote a couple plugins that do this type of thing. One changes the CTF intelligence into a birthday present. One changes rockets into bullet bill from Mario, one changes the payload cart, etc. It is very easy to do with a sourcemod plugin.

Not sure about just replacing anything on your server because the client won't download it.

 

[Chilly]

I've already forced the download using SourceMod's Download File/Folder plugin. I've also tried using the Stripper Metamod plugin to change the model, but for some reason it's just making a floating error sign. See here for more info:

http://forums.alliedmods.net/showpost.php?p=684547&postcount=223

I'm going to try swapping in a standard model and see if that works instead. If you made a plugin specifically for the payload cart, I'm sure many server admins would love that. Just allow them to specify which model should replace the cart.

 

[FaTony]

Mmmmm, stripper from Bailopan...

Anyway. Check that all custom stuff are at the right place in server. Check sv_downloadurl. Bzipping is always a good idea. Check your fast dl server. Models should be in /tf/models/ there. So this basically works same as custom maps.

 

[Chilly]

Ok.. I'll clarify. I am 100% certain that I am forcing downloads correctly from our fastdl server. I know this because I delete them from my computer, reconnect, and I watch each file download. I'm guessing either the model files are corrupt or I'm using stripper incorrectly, so I'm trying to focus my attention on those 2 things.

 

[FaTony]

After u deleted them from ur computer, connected and re dled, check if they are in correct places. If yes, read stripper documentation. Read forums, ask if any1 else tried this in tf2. I read that models in tf2 are controlled client-side...

 

[Crimson]

Get me the model stuff you want to use, ill write the plugin.

Keep in mind the model/textures cannot have the same name as the original. So make sure they are named something different, and in the proper directories. (You will probably need to get someone to change the material paths for the custom model for this to work) as most of the custom model/skins on FPSBanana are for use clientside and have the same name/directories as the original.

 

[Chilly]

I was able to get it somewhat working using the cow_reference model from 2Fort, so it was definitely the model files that were broken. The only issue was the cow isn't a solid model, which means people can't push it either (player proximity must be calculated using the collision boundaries).

For now I just rotated the default cart 180 degrees so our bomb goes backwards the whole way.

I'm going to try getting snipergen's dirtybomb model working, since that will give me a good basis for doing further custom models. Once I figure out exactly what needs to be done to get it working, I'll post the info and file links so you can make an easy plugin for other server admins to use.