Now that VPK files exist, can we just include custom content with a .vpk?

[Nightscout]

Everybody that was mapping before SteamPipe remembers packing their custom materials/models/other content into the bsp map file itself. To get the custom content to display in games like Garry's Mod properly, that usually was the best way to do it.

But now that .vpk's are being used by games to load content, is putting your custom content in a VPK a much more stable and easy way to include it?

I guess my real question is:
Would I just have to throw the folder with all my map's custom stuff and directories into a VPK file,
and put said VPK file in the root of the folder that I'm going to make the .gma?

Sorry if you have to read that more than once to understand what I'm saying.

[Stiffy360]

for garrysmod, I'm actually not sure if you can use vpks, you can try it by sticking the vpk in garrysmod/garrysmod/custom

games like CSS and TF2 work with vpks, but I'm not sure if servers can work with them for fastdl.

[Nightscout]

[QUOTE=Stiffy360;44671118]for garrysmod, I'm actually not sure if you can use vpks, you can try it by sticking the vpk in garrysmod/garrysmod/custom

games like CSS and TF2 work with vpks, but I'm not sure if servers can work with them for fastdl.[/QUOTE]

The reason I'm concerned that this might not work is that there isn't a custom folder in the garrysmod dir. I could see if it works if I make one though.

Also, good call on the servers possibility, I don't wanna alienate any hosts! I'm thinking just putting it in the materials and sound folders might be the best way for now.

[Stiffy360]

You can add one, you have to do that for CSS and TF2 as well.

[wazanator]

Concerning servers, yes and no.

I do not believe a server can directly host vpk files for download, however through the use of the workshop it can. Take a look at L4D2, you can't host a vpk on your server but if you set it up so your server directs players to the workshop if they try to join without the campaign then they do endup downloading the vpk.

So assuming you are mapping for L4D2 it should be fine but for games like TF2, CSS and Gmod I do not believe it will work.

[Nightscout]

[QUOTE=wazanator;44672979]Concerning servers, yes and no.

I do not believe a server can directly host vpk files for download, however through the use of the workshop it can. Take a look at L4D2, you can't host a vpk on your server but if you set it up so your server directs players to the workshop if they try to join without the campaign then they do endup downloading the vpk.

So assuming you are mapping for L4D2 it should be fine but for games like TF2, CSS and Gmod I do not believe it will work.[/QUOTE]

GMOD has a workshop tho... I'm confused by what you mean now :L