Studio Compiler Help Thread

[Natalya]

-- Studio Compiler Issues --

Okay for anyone interested in modeling for CS:S, CannonFodder's StudioCompiler is practically a must-have. There are some alternatives out there, but this tool is perhaps one of the most powerful and user-friendly ones available. However, the compiler can bug a lot, especially on first-installation.

With that said, this tutorial intends to cover known bugs and solutions for them. If I missed a problem that you have had with the compiler, please let me know and I will get it added to this tutorial. From here I will breakdown the bugs I have encountered with this tool by problem type.


A: Studio Compiler Will Not Run

B: Problems Decompiling Models




Section A -- Studio Compiler Will Not Run
-- Extra app ID set to 211, but no SteamappID

This is a common problem with Studio Compiler and also Source SDK. I'm not sure what causes the problem but one way of fixing it is by editing your GameInfo.txt files. In your cstrike directory you will find a file GameInfo.txt -- open it up. Near the top you will see:

ToolsAppId 211

All you need to do here is put // in front of it to comment it out. Save & Close, then try starting Studio Compiler. If that didn't solve it you might try the other GameInfo.txt for Source SDK. Go to username/sourcesdk/launcher/ and try the same steps with the GameInfo.txt there.


-- Can't load FileSystem_Steam.dll even when present in folder



This error doesn't make sense, but it only happens to me when I try to load Studio Compiler from the sourcesdk/bin folder. If you're using this tool for Counter-Strike: Source then StudioCompiler.exe needs to be in sourcesdk/bin/ep1/bin instead.


-- Can't find steam app user info.



This is another common problem. What you do here is you go to your Program Files/Steam/config folder and copy the SteamAppData.vdf file you see there. Now go to your sourcesdk/bin/ep1/bin folder and create a new folder named config if it does not exist already. Paste SteamAppData.vdf into there and try to run Studio Compiler.


-- vstdlib.dll not found.



Try copying the vstdlib.dll from your sourcesdk/bin folder to sourcesdk/bin/ep1/bin to solve this problem.




B: Problems Decompiling Models
-- Error opening .../model▄.smd



Basically what you get here is that it can't decompile the model and there is a .smd referenced with a weird name -- usually a strange character like a box or triangle at the end. This could mean one of a few things, but the main one is that the model was compiled for another hl2 mod. A possible fix that won't work every time but might work is to try opening the model's .mdl file with a hex editor. You can get one for free from google.

If you open the model and the first bit of text reads:

IDST...

This might be a solvable problem for you. Re-write it like this:

IDST,...

Studio Compiler might be able to decompile the model now. This might not work every time, but it's worth a try.



Conclusion:
That's all I have for this tutorial so far. As I encounter more problems or they are reported to me, I will update this thread. But for now I think this should be a good starting point, especially for first-time users of Studio Compiler who are discouraged because it won't run. Please let me know if something wrong is posted here, or if you have encountered a problem that I have not identified.

[DoT]

Saw this on FPSB, my problem was the 211 Error, thanks for this Nat.

Too bad i have no modeling/skinning skills or it would be put to use XD

Have a tut on porting models? Without the rigging even.

[Natalya]

Not specifically. I think I need to do one sometime soon. It's not too hard though. My Creating Custom Player Models for N00bs tutorial covers most of it.

[DoT]

Not specifically. I think I need to do one sometime soon. It's not too hard though. My Creating Custom Player Models for N00bs tutorial covers most of it.

Aint it just decompiling then recompiling under a different engine or something? S-low tried to explain it to me but i was like wtf?

[khaotik]

I have also found these steps to repair some errors in this section.

First Open Source SDK.
GO to Refresh Game Content
Then set your game type at the bottom.
As you see, it should be Half Life Episode 1 -> Counter Strike Source.
After that is complete, go to Reset Game Configuration.
Start Half Life model viewer, or hammer.
This seems to repair a few cannot find or invalid file in WinXp