Model Problems (Source)

This is driving me mad, and everytime I think I'm getting somewhere, I run into another problem. Basically, compiling my models and writing the VMT works fine when the model is located in, "mysourcemod\models" and the material is found in "mysourcemod\materials\models\"

However, when the model is in, "mysourcemod\models\folder1\folder2" and the material is in, "mysourcemod\materials\models\folder1\folder2" the model won't work with either the model or material. These DO work with the above settings.

I realised it had something to do with compiling the model, so I tweaked the QC file a bit and when I compile it, the model is now found in, "mysourcemod\models\folder1\folder2" which is exactly what I wanted. I now put the materials back into, "mysourcemod\materials\models\folder1\folder2". Upon loading the model in HLMV or Hammer, all I get is a pink/black checker texture. The VMT is written correctly. THE TEXTURE WORKED WHEN THE DIRECTORY STRUCTURE WAS LIKE MY FIRST PARAGRAPH.

I don't know what I'm doing wrong. No filename/directory/vmt spelling errors. And yes, there is a reason for the folder structures. Any help or ideas would be good. This is really unmotivating to work with.

VMT FILE CONTENTS: qcratea.vmt

"VertexLitGeneric"

{

"$baseTexture" "models/folder1/folder2/qcratea"

"$model" "1"

"$surfaceprop" "metal"

}

DIRECTORY STRUCTURES:

models: mysourcemod\models\folder1\folder2

materials: mysourcemod\materials\models\folder1\folder2

Quote from R_Yell

Hmm, check the path in $cdmaterials is correct.

I just tweaked it (below) and the pink/black checkers just got smaller this time.

Quote from hessi

post your QC file plz

$modelname folder1/folder2/qcratea.mdl

$cdmaterials "models\folder1\folder2"

$scale 8

$staticprop

$surfaceprop "metal"

$body studio "qcratea.smd"

$sequence idle "qcratea_idle.smd" fps 1

$collisionmodel "qcratea_phys.smd"

Quote from e-freak

How did you compile your VTF and is it placed correctly?

VTF plugin for Photoshop. And the VTF is placed in the same directory as the VMT.

Quote from e-freak

Second: Take MoM (Model Modifier - a tool by Jodokus [Download]) and check for the linkage in the MDL. It might occur that the converter corrupts your filelinks.(...)

OK, i just tried to compile some things my self. I ran into the very same problem. The SMD-File saves the texture name it uses in your modeling software or just says: "Material". If you use MoM you can alter the "Texture" Name. Just overtype the current value with your new VMT Filename and you are good to go.

Just checked it and the file structures are correct. But I already used a hex editor to check this several times before. The texture name is also the same name is used in my software, and all of that is also correct. The only difference that did anything was tweaking $CDMATERIALS in the QC file as explained above.

Quote from hessi

open "qcratea.smd" with notepad or what ever and check if the triangles use the correct texture name too. probably something with the SMD export went wrong!

Checked them and they're also correct. =(

I don't know what I did, but I think it was the way I saved the VTF file. Something so simple cause such a hassle. Either that or because it's so late I'm dreaming. Maybe I'll know for deffinite when I wake up and see this post. Jeez... Thanks to those who helped!