In my previous two guides on how to mod Dota 2, I explained how to edit the in-game text and sounds. Now, in the first of this 2-part episode, I'll explain how to edit the drab Dota 2 logo on a red background that shows up when the game is loading to something more interesting to look at, as well as test out any background you're hoping to add to the Steam Workshop to make sure that it looks good before you start.
BEFORE WE START, HOWEVER:
Dota 2 is free to play. This means that the only way Valve can make money from it is if you support them by buying items, including loading screens. Doing this will give money directly to the people who make the content you enjoy, and will pay the artists, programmers, and engineers who created them. Please consider how much you enjoy this game, and set a budget accordingly. How much is the game "worth" to you?
Please do not use this guide to pirate loading screens that are already in the game. Although, at the time of this guide's creation, the loading screens that you can purchase are few and far between, pirating any loading screens that are already in the game will cut down on the sales of that item, and discourage any other talented artists from putting their own loading screens on the Workshop.
I repeat: Only use this guide to create original content and/or content unavailable in the game.
Without further ado, let's continue.
Starting Out
Recommended Tools
In this guide, we will be editing images. I will be using Adobe Photoshop, but many free alternatives can be used to achieve the same results. I recommend http://www.getpaint.net/ orGIMP[www.gimp.org] if you are on a budget and not an artist. Please note that if you are using Windows, the default Paint program loaded will likely not be sufficient for our purposes.
A useful tool for viewing images and not necessarily editing them is IrfanView[www.irfanview.com]. This program can be set to load many, many different filetypes, including Valve's proprietary texture filetype.
Dota's loading screens are .VTF files, standing for Valve Texture Format. If you wish to edit or create these specific types of files, you will need the appropriate plugin for your photo editing program, which can be found on Valve's developer wiki. We will also use VTFEdit in this guide. Another note: the VTF plugin for Photoshop does not work with the 64-bit version of Photoshop. You will have to have the 32-bit version installed to edit it directly, but it is unlikely that you will need to do that.
If you would like to dig through Dota's file structures to see what you can edit on your own time, I recommend using GCFScape[nemesis.thewavelength.net]
As always, run an unfamiliar file that you've downloaded from the internet through a virus scanner before opening it.
VPK Override
We'll be replacing files in Dota's file structure, so first we'll need to go into Dota 2's launch options and enter -override_vpk so the game knows where to look.
I also use -novid to remove the Valve logo at the game's startup. It's not needed for this walkthrough.
In this guide, we will be editing images. I will be using Adobe Photoshop, but many free alternatives can be used to achieve the same results. I recommend http://www.getpaint.net/ orGIMP[www.gimp.org] if you are on a budget and not an artist. Please note that if you are using Windows, the default Paint program loaded will likely not be sufficient for our purposes.
A useful tool for viewing images and not necessarily editing them is IrfanView[www.irfanview.com]. This program can be set to load many, many different filetypes, including Valve's proprietary texture filetype.
Dota's loading screens are .VTF files, standing for Valve Texture Format. If you wish to edit or create these specific types of files, you will need the appropriate plugin for your photo editing program, which can be found on Valve's developer wiki. We will also use VTFEdit in this guide. Another note: the VTF plugin for Photoshop does not work with the 64-bit version of Photoshop. You will have to have the 32-bit version installed to edit it directly, but it is unlikely that you will need to do that.
If you would like to dig through Dota's file structures to see what you can edit on your own time, I recommend using GCFScape[nemesis.thewavelength.net]
As always, run an unfamiliar file that you've downloaded from the internet through a virus scanner before opening it.
VPK Override
We'll be replacing files in Dota's file structure, so first we'll need to go into Dota 2's launch options and enter -override_vpk so the game knows where to look.
Editing, converting, and saving
First things first, find or create your own image. In this example, I will be using the Dire wallpaper created by Perfect World when they announced that they would be publishing Dota 2 in China, available here[imgur.com]. Any image will work, but I recommend that the picture's resolution is at least what you plan on running Dota 2 at. I run my game at 1600x900 resolution, so using this picture will not produce any unwanted stretching or pixelation.
First things first, open the image up in your choice of image editor. Then, make any edits of your choosing.
Then, save it as a .TGA file somewhere where you'll be sure to find it later.
If it asks you what resolution you'd like to save it at, just choose the default or 24 bits/pixel with no compression.
After you've saved it, open up VTFEdit, and under File, choose Import. You can also press Ctrl+I (as in Imogen) to bring up the same menu. There, choose the .TGA file you just created.
Then, you may be faced with a daunting window asking you for things you don't understand. If you don't know what any of it means, just copy the settings I used:
The Source engine knows what it means, don't worry.
VTFEdit will then load in the picture as a .VTF file. No editing will need to be done here, all you need to do is to go to File and then choose Save As... and save the .VTF file somewhere you'll be able to find it.
First things first, open the image up in your choice of image editor. Then, make any edits of your choosing.
Then, save it as a .TGA file somewhere where you'll be sure to find it later.
If it asks you what resolution you'd like to save it at, just choose the default or 24 bits/pixel with no compression.
After you've saved it, open up VTFEdit, and under File, choose Import. You can also press Ctrl+I (as in Imogen) to bring up the same menu. There, choose the .TGA file you just created.
Then, you may be faced with a daunting window asking you for things you don't understand. If you don't know what any of it means, just copy the settings I used:
VTFEdit will then load in the picture as a .VTF file. No editing will need to be done here, all you need to do is to go to File and then choose Save As... and save the .VTF file somewhere you'll be able to find it.
Putting it in-game
Now, we'll need to find where the file we're going to replace is. As of the time of the last edit to this guide, Dota 2 keeps its default loading screen at \Steam\steamapps\common\dota 2 beta\dota\materials\console (If it's not already there, create one). If they ever decide to move it, simply use GCFScape to open up Dota 2's pak01_dir.vpk file, and search for it there.
Here, you'll see the .VTF and .VMT script files for all of the loading screens currently in-game. You can safely ignore the .VMT files, the defaults will do their jobs.
You may notice that there are many different loading screens here, and none of them are explicitly labeled as being the default. As different events roll by, Valve will change the file names without actually changing what the loading screen looks like, so there will unfortunately be some guess-work involved in where to save it and name it. As of the last edit of this guide the current loading screen name is dashboard_loading_embers.vtf . Rename your .vtf file to that, and place it in the \Steam\steamapps\common\dota 2 beta\dota\materials\console folder. Note that if you have you file browser set to not show what file type it is, it will just be "dashboard_loading_embers". If it's not showing up, this is the most likely culprit.
(Note: Valve sometimes changes the file name during special events. Most of the time, it's embers, but if you are currently viewing this during an event, load up GCFScape to find out what the current loading screen is called.)
Through the year, there's been several other names used for it during special events like Frostivus.
And finally, as always, load up your copy of Dota 2 as a test to see if your edits have worked.
Worked for me, how about you?
You may notice that there are many different loading screens here, and none of them are explicitly labeled as being the default. As different events roll by, Valve will change the file names without actually changing what the loading screen looks like, so there will unfortunately be some guess-work involved in where to save it and name it. As of the last edit of this guide the current loading screen name is dashboard_loading_embers.vtf . Rename your .vtf file to that, and place it in the \Steam\steamapps\common\dota 2 beta\dota\materials\console folder. Note that if you have you file browser set to not show what file type it is, it will just be "dashboard_loading_embers". If it's not showing up, this is the most likely culprit.
(Note: Valve sometimes changes the file name during special events. Most of the time, it's embers, but if you are currently viewing this during an event, load up GCFScape to find out what the current loading screen is called.)
And finally, as always, load up your copy of Dota 2 as a test to see if your edits have worked.
Credits
All screen captures were created by me.
Dire wallpaper made by Perfect World.
Awesome Ursa picture made by Spacedad.
Photoshop made by Adobe.
Steam and Dota 2 made by Valve.
If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or constructive criticism, please leave a comment.
If you're someone with an expertise who would like to collaborate with me on this project, message me on Steam.
For more support, check out http://www.reddit.com/r/dota2modding
If you work for Valve or otherwise have some manner of grievance with this guide or its contents, please contact me through official channels and I'll see if I can edit it to your satisfaction.
Other guides in this series:
Modding Dota 2: Episode 1: Editing the In-Game Text
Modding Dota 2: Episode 2: Editing Sounds and Testing Custom Announcers
Coming soon (Valve time): Modding Dota 2: Episode 3.2: Editing Character Textures
Modding Dota 2: Episode 4: Editing Item and Skill Icons
Dire wallpaper made by Perfect World.
Awesome Ursa picture made by Spacedad.
Photoshop made by Adobe.
Steam and Dota 2 made by Valve.
If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or constructive criticism, please leave a comment.
If you're someone with an expertise who would like to collaborate with me on this project, message me on Steam.
For more support, check out http://www.reddit.com/r/dota2modding
If you work for Valve or otherwise have some manner of grievance with this guide or its contents, please contact me through official channels and I'll see if I can edit it to your satisfaction.
Other guides in this series:
Modding Dota 2: Episode 1: Editing the In-Game Text
Modding Dota 2: Episode 2: Editing Sounds and Testing Custom Announcers
Coming soon (Valve time): Modding Dota 2: Episode 3.2: Editing Character Textures
Modding Dota 2: Episode 4: Editing Item and Skill Icons
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