probably a stupid question but really annoying me..

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ub3r sold4t
11 Posts
Posted May 16, 2008
Hi.

I'm trying to make a custom decal. I looked everywhere and found out how to make them with photoshop, but dont know where to save them. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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msleeper
4,095 Posts
Admin
Posted May 16, 2008
Replied 3 minutes later
Once you create the image file, you will need to convert it to a VTF so that you can create a VMT and place it in-game. You should check out this thread or actually this one might be better for you.
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Fusion
77 Posts
Posted May 16, 2008
Replied 2 minutes later
Download VTFEdit, open up your decal (or overlay) image in it, and it will convert it to a .vtf file for you. Then all you have to do is write a .vmt file with some simple commands in it, move the two files into the right place and you're done!

More info here: http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Textures

EDIT: msleeper: you beat me to it!

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ub3r sold4t
11 Posts
Posted May 16, 2008
Replied 3 minutes later
thanks but I already have those programs and have looked around this site and others. I just don't know where to save the image.
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Fusion
77 Posts
Posted May 16, 2008
Replied 1 minutes later
C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps*YOUR_STEAM_USERNAME_HERE\portal\portal\materials*YOUR_DIRECTORY_HERE
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ub3r sold4t
11 Posts
Posted May 16, 2008
Replied 6 minutes later
Thanks Fusion. That gets me one step closer. Dont know why i dont see it in hammer now
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msleeper
4,095 Posts
Admin
Posted May 16, 2008
Replied 1 minutes later
As long as the file is anywhere in the /materials/ directory, and has a proper VMT and a valid VTF file, it should be available. You may need to restart Hammer after you have added the image if I recall correctly.
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ub3r sold4t
11 Posts
Posted May 16, 2008
Replied 4 minutes later
Whats kind of weird to me is that i had to make a material folder in the portal folder
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msleeper
4,095 Posts
Admin
Posted May 16, 2008
Replied 3 minutes later
By default those are not there, all of the game's materials and other files are packaged in the GCF.
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ub3r sold4t
11 Posts
Posted May 16, 2008
Replied 4 minutes later
well that makes me feel better then. Just wish I could figure this out.
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ub3r sold4t
11 Posts
Posted May 16, 2008
Replied 5 minutes later
I hate to double post but you guys have been a lot of help. You did answer the questions I had but apparently I need to do some more reading. Must still be doing something wrong I guess. Thanks.

Any more help or suggestions are welcome too.

EDIT: ok figured that out. One letter can really make the difference. Probably shouldnt try doing something new when I'm that tired.

Now I just need to find out how to make the back transparent so you only see what I want you to see...