XBLAH's Modding Tool

is an Integrated Development Environment written by XBLAH to improve modders productivity and quality of life.
The IDE includes features like mod creation, map editing, compiling and decompiling, model compiling, editing and decompiling, material editing, soundscape editing, vpk packing and unpacking and general scripting and automation.
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= Features =
 is organized in different dashboards depending on which role you have in the mod development. There are dashboards available for mod leaders, level designers, material designers, model designers, sound designers, programmers, animators, and particle designers, each one with a specialized toolset in that field.
== Game ==
;Create a mod
:Creating a bare-bones mod usually requires more than just creating a liblist.gam or a gameinfo.txt. Mods based on and games can be created with the using an intuitive interface, that creates all the required files and directories. mods are also supported. (See documentation).
;Refresh Mods
:In case you manually added or modified any mods for the current game, you can refresh the mod listing. (See documentation)
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - Create a mod v1.17.0.png|Creating a mod
== Modding ==
;Run a Mod
:You can run mods straight from , without having to restart Steam when you create or install a new mod. supports lots of different run modes. It contains basic presets for each game, and you can add new ones. (See documentation)
;Open the Mod Folder
: provides a shortcut to the selected mod folder, proving itself useful in case you need to modify any files manually. (See documentation)
;File Explorer
:All the files mounted into the game info can be previewed with in the File Explorer. The File Explorer replaces the GCFScape as the ultimate file browsing tool, since it will mount all the VPKs and loose files according to the game info, to show the modder a comprehensive list of files. This relieves the modder of having to browse vpks individually, and the integrated features of the tool usually dismisses the necessity of extracting the files from the vpks, since they can be accessed natively by double-clicking the file (or right-clicking for more options). (See documentation)
;Deleting a Mod
:You can delete the selected mod in case you don't want to work with it or have it anymore. (See documentation)
Image:XBLAH's_Modding_Tool_-_Modding_-_Run_-_Expert_Mode.png|Running a Mod
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - Modding - File explorer.png|File Explorer
=== Mod Configuration ===
;Game Info
:The mod information can be edited with through a comprehensive UI without requiring the modder to mess with text files. It includes all the major keys of and . (See documentation)
;Mounting Game Assets
:The mod mounted content can be edited with , pointing to directories and VPKs in the desired order, without the risk of messing the game info. (See documentation)
;Managing Chapters
:Chapters for single-player games can be created with through an UI. The modder can easily create new chapters, select the chapter images, chapter background images, the first map of the chapter, the background map, and the tool will do the dirty work of creating the required vtfs, vmts and scripts. It gives the option to automatically blur the background images, so the modder can just take a screenshot of the background map and the tool will apply the usual blur. This replaces the need of saving VTFs, creating chapter images with weird proportions, and so on. (See documentation)
;Starting maps
:For games, you can set the map that will be run when you start a new game and the map that will run when you start the training section. (See documentation)
;Menu Items
:Main menu items can be added, modified or removed with based on a provided list of options. (See documentation)
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - Game Info v1.17.png|Game Info
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - Content Mount v1.17.png|Mounting content
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - Chapters v1.17.0.png|Single-player Chapters
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - Starting maps v1.17.png|Starting Maps
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - Menu Items v1.17.png|Game Menu Editor
=== File Management ===
;Packing Files Manually
:Instead of distributing loose files, you can select the files you want and pack them into a VPK. The selected files will be automatically deleted after they are packed into the VPK, cleaning up your mod folder. The VPK will be saved under . (See documentation)
;Pack Subdirectory under 
:Instead of manually packing files into a VPK, you can select a folder under the directory and it will convert all the Unpacked Files into a single VPK. You will have the option to delete the Unpacked Files. (See documentation)
;Unpacking Files
:You can quickly convert mounted VPKs into Unpacked Files, to help during the modding process. All the files in the VPK will be extracted to the mod folder, and you will have the option to delete the VPK. (See documentation)
;Clean Temporary Files
:Before shipping the mod, the provides the modder with a list of unnecessary files, which can be removed with the push of a button. (See documentation)
;Remove Duplicates
:The tool will list all the files that have the same name, relative directory and content and are mounted at least twice, and will give you the option to delete the extra Unpacked Files with a single button click. (See documentation)
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - Clean Files v1.17.png|Cleaning Files
Image:XBLAH's_Modding_Tool_-_Pack_Files_Manually_v1.17.png|Packing Files Manually
Image:XBLAH's_Modding_Tool_-_Pack_Custom_Folder_v1.17.png|Pack Subdirectory under 
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - Unpack Files v1.17.png|Unpacking Files
== Animations ==
;Scene Editor
The Source Choreography Editor will be automatically configured if ran through the , patching the missing icons. For compatible games, Scene Maker will be installed and run instead. (See documentation)
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool v1.17 - Scene maker.png|Scene Maker
== Maps ==
;Map Editor:
: and will be automatically configured if ran through the . will be installed and configured for compatible games. will be installed and configured for compatible games. (See documentation)
;Compile Maps
:Maps for can be compiled through the tool. The tool will list and explain the most common options for compiling, making it as intuitive as possible. (See documentation)
;Decompile Maps
:Compiled maps for and can be decompiled through the tool. The tool will list all the mounted maps, both the loose files and the ones inside the VPKs. You will be able to decompile the maps without having to extract them beforehand. (See documentation)
;Open the Prefabs Folder
: provides a shortcut to the selected game's Prefabs folder, proving itself useful in case you need to modify any files manually. (See documentation)
;Extract Used Assets
:You can select in and it will list you all the required assets for the selected files, showing you to which pack or loose folder they belong, and giving you the option to copy what you want to a separate folder under . By default, it will select all the files not located inside , but you can extract the files from the on the go, if you want to, in case you are using assets from games not everyone own. (See documentation)
;Building Generator
: comes with a Building Generator for Source. The tool includes some example files, and users can create their own templates. (See documentation)
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool v1.17 - Hammer++.png|Map Editor
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - Compile Maps v1.17.png|Compiling Maps
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - Maps - Decompile.png|Decompile Maps
Image:XBLAH's_Modding_Tool_-_Assets_Copier_v1.17.png|Extract Used Assets
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - Building Generator v1.17.png|Building Generator
== Materials ==
;Material Editor
: can be used to create and files. It can also be used to generate normal maps. (See documentation)
;WAD Editor
: can view, edit and create files. (See documentation)
;Details Editor
:The detail props files can be created or edited using the . The editor shows a preview of the detail props, showing both sprites and props, and is integrated with the File Explorer to make it really easy to create new detail props. (See documentation)
;Skybox Editor
:Skyboxes can be created straight from image files with the using an intuitive interface, that creates all the required vtfs and vmts. All you have to do is select each cubemap face, preview it, and save. It has a built in 3D previewer to check if the skybox is seamless, and supports the regular square skyboxes and the clamped ones. It will also give you the ideal settings for , and for each sky. (See documentation)
;Extract Used Assets
:You can select VMTs in and it will list you all the required assets for the selected files, showing you to which pack or loose folder they belong, and giving you the option to copy what you want to a separate folder under . By default, it will select all the files not located inside VPKs, but you can extract the files from the VPKs on the go, if you want to, in case you are using assets from games not everyone own. (See documentation)
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool v1.18.1.1 - Material Editor.png|Material Editor
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - WAD Editor v1.15.png.png|WAD Editor
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - Detail Editor v1.18.1.png|Details Editor
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - Skybox Editor v1.17.png|Skybox Editor
== Models ==
;Decompile Models
:Compiled models for and can be decompiled through the . The tool will list all the mounted models, both the loose files and the ones inside the VPKs. You will be able to decompile the models without having to extract them beforehand. (See documentation)
;Extract Used Assets
:You can select MDLs in and it will list you all the required assets for the selected files, showing you to which pack or loose folder they belong, and giving you the option to copy what you want to a separate folder under . By default, it will select all the files not located inside VPKs, but you can extract the files from the VPKs on the go, if you want to, in case you are using assets from games not everyone own. (See documentation)
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - Decompile Models.png|Decompiling a Model
== Particles ==
;Generate the Particle Manifest
:A manifest file is required for rendering particles in-game. The Particle Manifest file can be generated automatically with , based on all the particle files mounted in the mod. (See documentation)
;PCF Version Converter
:Generated particle files will have different formats depending on the base game. These files can be converted to a compatible file format with . (See documentation)
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - PCF Version Converter.png|PCF Version Converter
== Scripts ==
;Localization Editor
:Localization strings can be added and edited through an intuitive UI with . (See documentation)
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - Localization.png|Localization Editor
== Sounds ==
;Soundscape Editor
:Soundscapes can now be easily created or modified using . The UI provides an intuitive way to create new soundscapes, using the integrated file explorer. This allows the user to browse all the files mounted ( and loose files), let the user preview the files individually and let the user preview how the whole soundscape is gonna play in-game. (See documentation)
;Generate the Soundscape Manifest
:A manifest file is required for playing soundscapes in-game. The Soundscape Manifest file can be generated automatically with , based on all the soundscape files mounted in the mod. (See documentation)
;Generate the Game Sounds Manifest
:A manifest file is required for precaching sounds in-game. The Game Sounds Manifest file can be generated automatically with , based on all the game sound files mounted in the mod. (See documentation)
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - Soundscape Editor.png|Soundscape Editor
== Options ==
;Steam Libraries
:The libraries used by the games and mods in the tool are automatically set if you have a legit Steam installation. Keep in mind the libraries set here are only used by the tool, and the games and mods will still use their gameinfo to mount their contents. (See documentation)
;Discord Presence
:By default, the tool lets your Discord friends know what you are working on. If you want privacy, you can set up what is shown on Discord. The options are to show the game and mod you are working on, only the game you currently have selected, or show nothing. (See documentation)
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool - Steam Libraries v1.17.png|Steam Libraries
Image:XBLAH's Modding Tool v1.17 - Discord Presence.png|Discord Presence
= XBLAH's Modding Tool for Teams =
VIP Patrons are eligible to create a team of up to 10 members to use the . Additional members can be added by increasing the pledge by $1/member.
To create a Team, the VIP Patron must register using the same email used to pledge on Patreon. The team members must register too, although they are not required to have a Patreon account. The Team Manager then can add the members to the available slots.
= External links =
* XBLAH's Modding Tool page on Modding Assets.net
* ModDB - Last free version (1.13)
* Patreon page
Category:Third Party Tools
Category:Third Party Source Tools
Category:Third Party GoldSrc Tools
Category:Non-Steam Applications