UKTerrorist

Skin, Sprite and Sound Replacement

This guide is for those of you who don't particularly care for the current Counter-Strike skins, sprites and sounds. If you've ever wanted to change your skins but have no idea what the hell you're doing, listen closely.

First thing's first: before we actually do any replacing, it's a good idea to backup your original files. And to do that, we are going to take a journey deep into the depths of our Sierra folder. To find the correct folders, simply follow the directories I'm about to give you.

• Mod Version of CS: C:SierraHalf-Lifecstrikesounds, sprites, models

  Or:

• Retail Version of CS: C:SierraCounter-Strikecstrikesounds, sprites, models

Open the models folder first, you should see quite a few files and a folder named 'player', leave them alone for the time being. The numerous files are '.mdl's. What you need to do is highlight all of these files (including the player folder) and copy them to a seperate, new folder. Name it something like 'Original skins'. When you have all your model files backed up, you need to do the same with the sprites and sounds. Go to the sounds folder, there are a few folders but the '.wav' files are within those folders. Just copy all of these folders and but them in an 'Original sounds' folder. Do the same with the sprites and you are now ready to replace old files with NEW ones.

Sound exciting? It is....really. No, I'm not kidding you. Before actual replacement, it's important to know the difference between the three types of files. There are '.mdl' (models), '.wav' (sounds) and '.spr' (sprites) files. The only type of file that is a bit confusing are the '.mdls'. Because there are four variations of the '.mdl' file. The 228 has been used solely for example purposes here:

1. 'P_228.mdl' - The 'P' is the file used to display other players holding this new skin. P=player, make sense? When you see enemies running around with their guns, what they're holding is the 'P' model.
2. 'W_228.mdl' - "W" stands for world, this is the file used to show what the gun looks like on the ground after some poor shumck has died and dropped it.
3. 'V_228_R.mdl' - This is used to show what your skin looks like when held in the right hand.
4. 'V_228.mdl' - This is used to show what your skin looks like in your left hand.

Okay, we pretty much now what each kind of file is and it's purpose. So it's time to start downloading skins that you'd like to replace your old models and sprites. Here are a list of some good skin sites, ones that I frequent:

• www.cs-skins.net
• www.counterstrikecenter.com
• csnation.counter-strike.net (only a few)

And also, some nicely made sprite sites:

• cssprites.cscentral.com
• ts.steel-dragon.co.uk
• www.counterstrikecenter.com

You've picked out some skins you like and have downloaded them. You should have a Winzip extractor, but if you don't, download it. If you have weapon skins they simply go into the models folder, it will prompt you, making sure you want tooverwrite the '.mdl' files, you should say yes. Now, let's say you get a skin that replaces the GSG-9 model, you can't just drop it in the models folder, because it won't work there. You have to put it the 'player' folder and then inside the 'GSG-9' folder. It will overwrite it and then your models will work in game.

When you download hostage replacements, there are two kinds of hostages; 'hostage.mdl' and 'scientist.mdl'. Both of these files go into the models directory.

If your skin comes with sound files you should extract those too. I mean, why not? So, if it's a weapon sound it goes into 'cstrike|sounds|weapons'. Hostage sounds go into 'sounds|hostage'. Any sounds you download will go into the sound folder, then into the relevant folder thereafter.

As with models and sounds, if you download any sprite files, these will be put into ''cstrike|sprites'. These are easier to install as there are no folders in here, just a mass of '.spr' files, stick them in this folder and all should be well.

This is the last thing I'm going tell you then I'm done. The 'P_xxx.mdl' is a real annoying kind of file. Because if the gun is not the same size as the original, it causes a consistency error. If you get a skin with a bad 'P.mdl', it will say that you have a consistency error when you try to join a server.

"P_228.mdl consistency error" - This is where your backed up files come in handy. Go to 'Original skins' and find the 'P_xxx.mdl' that was mentioned in the error, and copy it into the models folders, overwrite when prompted and everything should be in order again. This won't happen the majority of the time, but it's important you know what to do when it does.

That's all I have to say about skins, sprites and sound replacement. I apologize if this guide took more time with skins than with sounds and sprites, but there was quite a bit to cover about skins. Hope your replacements go well. If you have any problems email me at da_oracle@hotmail.com.