Wall Worm
Wall Worm is a script and tool developer focused on 3ds Max and various Max-related pipelines. Historically, Wall Worm was devoted soley to optimizing the Source Engine asset pipeline. The Wall Worm toolset itself is a Source-only toolset. However, many new tools are generic in nature (for any game engine, VFX, VIZ, etc), such as the CorVex plugin and most other new tools.
See the official Autodesk blog feature about Wall Worm developer Shawn Olson, Wall Worm and Black Mesa: From Black Sheep to Black Mesa and Beyond.
Common Destinations
Wall Worm tools allow you to create assets for Source in a way that was not possible before. You can build models, textures and levels inside one environment (3ds Max) and compile them straight into Source. Wall Worm tools have been used in the pipelines of many games including Dear Esther, Black Mesa and by designers of CS:GO Operation maps and many more.
Wall Worm works in collaboration with other 3ds Max/Source developers to help enhance all the tools available to designers and mod teams.
Featured Articles
On the Grid
Information and videos on using the grid in 3ds Max for Source Engine Level Design.
Exporting Correct Smoothing on Models
Understanding Smoothing Groups and Explicit Normals
Discussion on smoothing groups and explicit normals and how they relate to Source.
Latest Articles
Exporting CAT and Biped Models
Export your CAT or Biped rig from 3ds Max into the Source Game Engine with Wall Worm.
VMF Importer
You can use Wall Worm to import a VMF into 3ds Max. This allows you to bring in your Hammer project into 3ds Max.
Source Shader Settings
Control many Source VMT parameters directly inside 3ds Max.
Understanding Wall Worm Displacements
Overview on working with displacements in 3ds Max for the Source Game Engine.
Hitboxes and Bone Properties
The bone tools allow you to give specific bones artbitrary surface properties, set mass bias and create hitboxes and hitbox groups.
Using the IK Tab
Articles pertaining to the IK functions in Max and how they translate into settings for Source Game Engine models.
Displacement Texture Scale Sometimes Incorrect
Understanding Displacement Blend Texture Scale
This page explains one cause for displacement materials to be scaled incorrectly in Source as well as the solution. You should use bitmaps of equal dimensions in both materials controlling the Blend material.
Exporting a Level from 3ds Max into Source
Brush Geometry, 3D Skybox, 2D Sky, Animated Textures
Video tutorial and sample file on exporting a 3ds Max scene into a Source VMF file with Wall Worm.
Brush Materials and Decals
A beginning to end example of making and exporting brush materials and decals.
A video and sample file to show you how to export textures, brush materials, decals and a simple level from 3ds Max into the Source Game Engine.
DXF Importer
You can import a DXF scene into Max. This allows you to transfer the basic level design from Hammer to Max.
