VTF

Introduction

The Valve Texture Format (vtf) is the proprietary texture format used by the Source engine. vtf files are referenced in a vmt instead of being accessed directly, which allows re-use in different ways.

Creation

Vtf files are created with the tool VTFEdit, the tool can be downloaded from the official website or valve mirror.

Standard Material

Whatever option you choose, create your own, or find an image online, the image needs to follow some constraints.

1. The following image formats are supported:
2. BMP, DDS, JNG, JPEG, PNG, TGA
3. The image dimensions (width, height) should be a power of 2 since VTFEdit will force those dimensions
4. 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, ...

Creating a material can be split up into the following steps (video):

1. Find an image that you want to use as a texture
2. Open VTFEdit
3. Import an image with a supported extension
4. Click OK
5. Save as .vtf

The Final step is to create a vmt file which will use your newly made texture.

Animated Material

Creating an animated texture is a little bit more complicated, these are the steps you need to take:

1. Find a GIF that you want to use as a texture
2. Export every individual frame from the GIF and save as .tga
3. Recommended Tool: GIMP
4. How to export (gimp plugin)
5. Open VTFEdit
6. Import
7. Select all exported .tga frames!
8. Click Open
9. Click OK
10. You should see the animation play when clicking 'Play'
11. Save as .vtf

The Final step is to create a vmt file which will use your newly made texture.