Half-Life 2 (Xbox)/Modding Guide

== Half-Life 2 Modding Guide for the Original Xbox ==
This page is for the Original Xbox Version of Half-Life 2 (Xbox).
==File Structure==
*Retail disc layout
D:\
:default.xbe - (Runs HL2 with file checking.)
:hl2_xbox.xbe - (Runs HL2 without file checking.)
:GameMedia
::zip0_xbox.xz_ - (Extracts zip0_xbox.xzp to Y: or X:.)
::zip0_xbox_(language).xz_ - (Extracts zip0_xbox_(language).xzp to Y: or X:.)
:Maps
::All the standard HL2 SP BSP files. - (Extracts loaded and cached maps to Y: or X:.)
:Sound
::Music
:::HL2 music files in WAV format from source sounds.gcf
:::Stingers
::::More music from source sounds.gcf
:LoaderMedia
::Demo_Attract.xmv - (Gameplay demo video.)
::install.txt - (Dictates what copies over to Y: or X: partition.)
::loader.xpr - (Xbox Packed Resource a structure and file-format used by the Microsoft XDK.)
::Title_load.xmv - (Half-Life 2 intro video.)
::Valve_leader.xmv - (Valve intro video.)
*Save layout
E:\TDATA\45410091\
:hl2
::hl2x
:::cfg
::::continue.cfg - (holds game continue status in binary.)
::::xboxuser.cfg - (Xbox version of config.cfg.)
:::maps
:::SAVE
::::_transition - (Save file at transition point.)
::::autosave - (Save file at autosave.)
::::<map name>.hl# - (Game Saves.)
*Cache layout
Y:\ or X:\
:hl2
::hl2x
:::maps
::::loaded and cached maps - (Extracted from D: partition.)
:::save
:::zip0_xbox.xzp - (Extracted from zip0_xbox.xz_ in D: partition.)
:::zip0_xbox_english.xzp - (Extracted from zip0_xbox_english.xz_ in D: partition.)
:LoaderMedia
::Title_Load.xmv - (Extracted from D: partition.)
:version_235.txt - (copy of install.txt from D: partition.)
==File Types==
*Executable Format
:.xbe - (Xbox Executable)
*Archive Format
:.xz_ - (compressed archive(JCALG1 compression))
:.xzp - (uncompressed archive similar to a VPK.)
*Texture Format
:.xtf - (Xbox Texture File is the Xbox Equivalent to the VTF. Includes Preload Image as holdover till full res image is loaded from HDD)
*Physics Format
:.phx - (Xbox Physics File is the Xbox Equivalent to the PHY. Removing Text section for data values)
*Video Format
:.xmv - (Xbox Media Video is the Xbox version of the .wmv / Windows Media Video.)
*Audio Format
:.wav - (Xbox Wav Format is the Xbox version of the .wav / Shedding the RIFF spec for a preload friendly spec. Check out public\xwvfile.h in Source SDK 2006)
*Save Game Format
:.hl# - (Unique Game Save format that is used instead of SAV E.g. .hl1, .hl2, .hl3 Ect.)
*Script Format
:.xcd - (Xbox Script File is the Xbox version of a VCD file.)
==Compiling Maps==
*Installation
The unofficial Source SDK 2005 tools provide a drop in replacement of VBSP, VVIS, VRAD for Source SDK 2006. 
Located in the directory <Install Location>/steamapps/common/SourceSDK/bin/ep1/bin/
*VBSP
Requires the -xbox flag. Also note due to limitations -luxelscale may need to be changed in order to fit lightmaps
*VVIS
Does not have a -xbox flag, if added will fail to build vis data.
*VRAD
Requires -xbox and -exportLightmaps. If it fails to pack lightmaps follow by changing the Luxel Size
==Necessary Programs==
*FTP (File Transfer Protocol) Software
:FileZilla - (FileZilla is a free cross-platform FTP application.)
*File Editing Software
:Notepad++ - (Notepad++ is a text and source code editor.)
:Lynx - (Lynx is an exporting and injecting tool used for modifying the .xzp archives.)
:Crowbar - (Crowbar is a model compiler/decompiler for GoldSrc and Source.)
*Texturing Software
:Paint.net - (Paint.net is a free raster graphics editor program.)
: - (Adobe Photoshop is a raster graphics editor developed and published by Adobe Inc.)
:GIMP - (GIMP is a free and open-source raster graphics editor used for image retouching and editing.)
:Noesis - (Noesis is a multitool program that just about anything from viewing .xtf textures to mocap "Motion capture" animations.)
:VTFEdit - (VTFEdit is a GUI frontend for the functions contained within VTFLib.)
*Modeling Software
:Blender - (Blender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software toolset used for creating visual effects, 3D printed models, motion graphics, and computer games.)
:GMax - (GMax is based on Autodesk's 3ds Max application used by professional computer graphics artists.)
:Softimage - (Autodesk Softimage, or simply Softimage is a discontinued 3D computer graphics application, for producing 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling, and computer animation.)
:kHED - (kHED is a simple freeware 3D modeling editor designed for low-poly modeling.)
:Maya - (Autodesk Maya, commonly shortened to just Maya, is a 3D computer graphics application that runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.)
:3DS Max - (Autodesk 3ds Max is a professional 3D computer graphics program for making 3D animations, models, games and images.)
:Modo - (Modo is a polygon and subdivision surface modeling, sculpting, 3D painting, animation and rendering package.)
:Lightwave - (LightWave 3D is a 3D computer graphics program developed by NewTek.)
:Cinema 4D - (Cinema 4D is a 3D software suite developed by the German company Maxon.)
:Fragmotion - (FragMOTION is a powerful 3D modeler used for the creation and animation of characters.)
:MilkShape 3D - (MilkShape 3D is a small modeling and animation software package.)
:Source SDK - (Legacy Source SDK still includes "-xbox" for compiling models. Does not create create correct v47 MDL)
*Mapping Software
:Valve Hammer Editor - (Valve Hammer Editor is the official mapping tool for the GoldSrc and Source.)
:Sin Episodes SDK - (Sin Episodes SDK is Required for creating BSP Version 19 maps.)
:Source SDK '2005' - (In progress fork of Source 2006 aiming to restore XBOX tools. VBSP and accessories are currently available here.)
== See also ==
* Half-Life 2
* Half-Life 2 (Xbox)
* Half-Life 2 Credits
* Modding for Half-Life 2
* Level design for Half-Life 2
* Texturing for Half-Life 2
* Modeling for Half-Life 2
Category:Valve GamesCategory:Console Games