Troubleshooting Missing Texture

MISSING TEXTURE? Seeing PINK and BLACK or PURPLE and BLACK CHECKERBOARD texture? Read this to solve the problem.

1. A material name (VMT file name), ignoring the extension, is listed for each triangle in an SMD file. It's the <material> shown on the VDC reference page for SMD file.
2. VMT must use the correct shader for models. Generally, for models it is "VertexLitGeneric" (case-insensitive, with or without double-quotes). VDC page for VMT file
3. VMT's $basetexture points to VTF file (the actual texture graphic data file). Take special note about using a relative path. VDC page for $basetexture
4. QC file lists folders where VMT files can be found via the $cdmaterials lines. Take special note about using a relative path. VDC page for $cdmaterials

Although the above 4 things are the only ways a texture could be missing, perhaps another perspective would help. Check out these guides:

- How Valve Materials Work [Shows SFM (Source Filmmaker) and Blender, but applies to any Source-engine game and any 3D editor.] (Image and description by Pte Jack)
- My Model has CheckerBoarded Textures, How Do I Fix It??? (Guide by Pte Jack)