BSPZIP

BSPZIP is a command-line tool that allows arbitrary files to be embedded within a BSP. When the map is being loaded the files will be mounted as if they were present in the game's real content folders.
While it is usually a good idea to BSPZIP content, there are times when it can cause problems and other times when it won't work at all (e.g., for Maplist Thumbnails). When this happens, a resource list can be used instead.
== Usage ==
BSPZIP is found at "common\<gamename>\bin\bspzip.exe". It performs several functions:
=== Adding a List of Files ===
The most common function. There are two related commands:
 -addlist <input bsp> <file list> <output bsp>
 -addorupdatelist <input bsp> <file list> <output bsp>
Include file extensions. The former command packs all files in the list, the latter (untested, Orange Box only) packs only those that have changed since the last operation.
The "file list" is a .txt file containing this pattern:
 internal_path/file1
 external_path\file1
 internal_path/file2
 external_path\file2
 ...
* Internal paths (relative paths) are the location the file will take within the BSP; e.g., materials/metal/new_steel.vmt.
* External paths (absolute paths) are the location of the file to be packed, e.g., C:\Users\Public\our_maps\materials\metal\new_steel.vmt.
For example:
 materials/foo/bar.vtf
 D:\Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Source\cstrike\custom\stuff\materials\foo\bar.vtf
 materials/foo/bar.vmt
 D:\Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Source\cstrike\custom\stuff\materials\foo\bar.vmt
 sound/lorem/ipsum.mp3
 D:\Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Source\cstrike\custom\stuff\sound\lorem\ipsum.mp3
=== Adding a Single File ===
The same principle as above, but without a file list.
 -addfile <input bsp> <internal path> <external path> <output bsp>
=== Viewing and Extracting Files ===
If you have an archive tool installed that is able to look inside BSPs, it's better to use that. If you don't, these are the commands you need:
 -extract <bsp file> <output.zip>
 -extractfiles <bsp file>
 -dir <bsp file>
=== Handling Cubemaps ===
Should be self-evident:
 -extractcubemaps <bsp file> <output folder>
 -deletecubemaps <bsp file>
== Testing ==
There are situations where files won't be loaded from BSP files correctly. As time goes on, they become fewer in number, but it's always worth checking regardless. The easiest way to do so is moving all of the embedded content out of the game's folders—or even better, not storing it there in the first place.
== Compression ==
Repacking allows you to compress your map using to save hard drive space and download times. To repack a map and compress it, these commands are used:
 -repack -compress <bsp file>
To decompress repacked maps, run the same command but ommit the -compress command:
 -repack <bsp file>
== GUIs/Replacements ==
The following GUI tools are often preferred to BSPZIP directly, and they may aid you in determining which files need to be packed into your map.
* 
* Packbsp
* 
* 
* 
* 
* (2020) - This app allows you to embed a folder with your files into BSP file, repack (compress and decompress) and can save different map configurations. It uses bspzip for the actual packing.
* BspZipGui(2016) - The app allows you to embed a folder with your files into BSP file in just a few clicks. It uses bspzip for the actual packing.
* - Automatically detects content that is used in the map and packs it. It has a GUI as well as a command line interface which makes it easy to add as a compile step in Hammer.
* QuickPack - This script quickly finds and packs all dependencies in a map. For models with different skins, it only packs used skins to save file space.
* - This includes a post-compiler which automatically finds and packs custom content, and adds entities to control auto-packing.
== See also ==
* Resource list (Alternative method to push content to users)
* GCFScape (Read-only tool for inspecting BSP contents)
Category:Official Source Tools