Setting Up VPK, Text, and Binary-File Tools

Modding a Left 4 Dead 2 Survivor

Table of Contents > Setting Up Tools for Modding

Setting Up VPK, Text, and Binary-File Tools

There are two main groups of files -- ones that have text and can be read with a text-editing tool and those that are in special formats read in for specific applications or games, i.e. binary format.

Install VPK Tool: GCFScape

- Install GCFScape found on "Nem's Tools" website. For extracting model (and other related) files from L4D2.

Install Text and Binary-File Tool: Notepad++

Notepad++ is tool that can be used for editing both groups of files. It is mainly a text editor, but can have a plugin for hex-editing binary format. Also, Notepad++ has "language" files that allow custom highlighting to make files easier to read and edit.

Install Notepad++

1. Install Notepad++ from its web site.

Install the HEX-Editor plugin in Notepad++

1. Open Notepad++.
2. Click on Plugins > Plugin Manager > Show Plugin Manager menu item.
3. Click on Settings button at bottom-left corner of the Plugin Manager window.
4. Checkmark the Show unstable plugins box. (Sometimes the HEX-Editor plugin lists as unstable, but I have never had any issues with it.)
5. Click OK button.
6. Checkmark the HEX-Editor plugin in the list on the Available tab.
7. Click the Install button at near bottom-right.
8. Click the Close button at bottom-right.
9. You might need to re-open Notepad++ before using plugin.

Install the Valve Data Format Languages for Notepad++

1. Go to this web page: Notepad++ VDF languages
2. Download and install the custom text highlighting languages as described there.