Model editor
AdvancedEdit skins, materials, sequences, events, attachments and hitboxes in compiled models without decompiling.
I build the tools.
You make the game.
One IDE for GoldSrc, Source and Lambda mods. Build maps in the integrated map editor, then edit the materials, models, particles, sounds, menus and code around them, compile, test and publish without switching programs.
Windows 10 / 11
Updates itself
Essentials is free, forever
v2.10.9
Windows may show a SmartScreen warning the first time. See how
It's a Windows app
Open this page on your PC to install it.
xblah.dev/modding-tool
24 000+
downloads
805
Discord members
2019
in development since
BUILT FOR
Half-Life
Half-Life 2
Counter-Strike
Quake II
Lambda Engine
The map editor
From a single map to a total conversion, in one IDE.
The map editor sits in the same window as everything else. Pick a texture and the Materials browser is right there. Place a prop and the Model editor is one click away. Compile, play and publish from the same toolbar.
- It replaces Hammer. Four views, the tools you expect, and real-time Vulkan lighting for every engine, so you see your lights before you compile.
- Every asset one click away. Materials, models, sounds and particles open in their own editors, in the same window.
- Compile and play. A compiler with presets for beginners and full control for everyone else.
- Ship it. Pack a single map, a map pack or the whole mod, and upload to the Workshop where the game supports it.
Advanced exclusives
Editors built for the parts modders find hardest.
Particles
AdvancedBrowse every particle file, convert formats and keep the manifest in sync.
Skybox editor
AdvancedTurn an HDRI into a skybox, preview it from inside, and sample the sun and fog for your map.
Soundscapes
AdvancedCompose soundscapes with a timeline preview, mute and solo per rule.
Every editor
One tool for every part of the mod.
Mod
- Mod templates and setup Free
- File explorer Free
- Run and debug Free
Menu
- Title and icon Free
- Menu items and background Free
- Chapters Free
Maps
- Map editor Free
- Map compiler Free
- Detail props Advanced
Materials
- Materials and textures Free
- Skybox editor Advanced
- WAD editor Advanced
Models
- Model browser Free
- Model editor Advanced
Sound
- Sound browser Free
- Soundscape editor Advanced
Particles
- Particle files and manifest Advanced
Code
- Code and git Advanced
Texts
- Localization Free
- Text editor Free
Packaging
- Search paths and mounting Free
- Pack and unpack VPKs Free
Publishing
- Releases and Workshop upload Advanced
Pricing
Get the Advanced Edition.
Essentials is free for good. Advanced adds the editors below. Every paid plan unlocks all of them; higher plans add community extras.
What Advanced unlocks
8 editors, each replacing a manual step or a separate program.
Model editor
Change a compiled model without decompiling it.
- USUALLY
- Decompile with Crowbar, edit the QC, recompile, and hope nothing broke.
- HERE
- Edit skins, sequences, events, attachments, hitboxes and physics in place, and see each change on the model.
- Skin families as a grid of materials
- Animation events placed on a timeline
- Hitboxes and attachments drawn on the model
Particles
Every particle file and the manifest, in one view.
- USUALLY
- Open each PCF on its own and edit particles_manifest.txt by hand.
- HERE
- See every file and system, convert PCF versions, and keep the manifest in sync on its own.
- Files missing from the manifest are flagged
- Format conversion warns before anything is lost
- Base-game files are copied into the mod when you edit them
Skybox editor
From one HDRI to a finished sky.
- USUALLY
- Cut the image into six faces in an image editor, convert each to VTF, write six VMTs.
- HERE
- Import one HDRI, look around the sky from inside, and get the sun and fog values for your map.
- LDR and HDR versions from the same faces
- Six-face cross with drag and drop
- Sun, ambient and fog colour sampled from the sky
Soundscape editor
Hear the soundscape while you build it.
- USUALLY
- Edit soundscapes.txt by hand, then reload the map to listen.
- HERE
- Play the whole soundscape, mute or solo each rule, and watch a timeline of what plays when.
- Random volume and pitch ranges as sliders
- Listen from each position in the map
- Nested soundscapes followed and previewed
Detail props
Grass and clutter you can see before you compile.
- USUALLY
- Write detail.vbsp by hand and recompile the map to check it.
- HERE
- Pick sprites from the sheet or use models, set density and sway, and preview the result.
- Pick sprites straight from the sheet
- Density and sway per detail type
- Live preview on a ground patch
WAD editor
Edit GoldSrc textures inside the WAD.
- USUALLY
- Use a separate WAD tool and re-export after every change.
- HERE
- Add, rename, replace and fix textures in place, with palettes and sizes handled for you.
- Drop in PNG or TGA and it converts
- Bad sizes and names flagged before the map compiles
- Works with the textures your maps use
Code and git
Your mod's code, with version control built in.
- USUALLY
- Install the SDK, set up Visual Studio, and run a separate git client.
- HERE
- Install the source, build client and server, then commit, branch and push from the same tab.
- Fork the official SDK to your own GitHub
- Pick which Visual Studio to build with
- History, diffs and staging like a git client
Publish
Ship a release without a checklist.
- USUALLY
- Copy files by hand, forget a material, zip it, upload, repeat.
- HERE
- Pack a map, a map pack or the whole mod into a clean release, check it, and upload it.
- Never touches your working mod folder
- Leaves out unused and source files
- Checks for missing assets and Linux file names
Free
Essentials Edition$0
Free forever
Download free
- Access to XBLAH's Modding Tool - Essentials Edition
- Discord access - General chat
Supporter
Advanced Edition$3.49/mo
or $19.99 a year, save 52%
Get Advanced
- Full access to XBLAH's Modding Tool - Advanced Edition and incoming updates
- Discord access - General chat
- Discord access - Help with anything tool related in the support channel
Enthusiast
Advanced Edition$6.00/mo
or $59.99 a year, 2 months free
Get Advanced
- Full access to XBLAH's Modding Tool - Advanced Edition and incoming updates
- Discord access - General chat
- Discord access - Help with anything tool related in the support channel
- Early access to incoming new features and updates
- Discord access - Exclusive Enthusiast role
VIP
Advanced Edition$12.00/mo
or $99.99 a year, save 30%
Get Advanced
- Full access to XBLAH's Modding Tool - Advanced Edition and incoming updates
- Discord access - General chat
- Discord access - Help with anything tool related in the support channel
- Early access to incoming new features and updates
- Report bugs and receive early access to fixes
- Discord access - Exclusive VIP role
- Request new features
- Discord access - Access to the VIP Club
Have a promo code? Use it here.
Compare plans
| FEATURE | Free | Supporter | Enthusiast | VIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDITORS | ||||
| Essentials editors: map editor, compiler, menu, chapters, materials, packages, texts | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Detail props | Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| Skybox editor | Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| WAD editor | Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| Model editor | Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| Soundscape editor | Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| Particle files and manifest | Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| Code and git | Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| Releases and Workshop upload | Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| UPDATES AND COMMUNITY | ||||
| Access to XBLAH's Modding Tool - Essentials Edition | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Full access to XBLAH's Modding Tool - Advanced Edition and incoming updates | Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| Discord access - General chat | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Discord access - Help with anything tool related in the support channel | Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| Early access to incoming new features and updates | Not included | Not included | Included | Included |
| Discord access - Exclusive Enthusiast role | Not included | Not included | Included | Not included |
| Report bugs and receive early access to fixes | Not included | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Discord access - Exclusive VIP role | Not included | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Request new features | Not included | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Discord access - Access to the VIP Club | Not included | Not included | Not included | Included |
FAQ
Questions people ask first.
Does it replace Hammer?
Yes. The map editor replaces Hammer, with real-time lighting rendered in Vulkan for every supported engine, so you see your lights while you build instead of after a compile.
Is the free version really free?
Yes. Essentials has no time limit and no account requirement, and it includes the map editor and compiler. Advanced adds editors on top; nothing in Essentials gets taken away.
Can I use it for a commercial mod or game?
Yes. What you make with the tool is yours. Check the license of the engine and any base-game assets you ship; the Publish checks flag assets you may not be allowed to redistribute.
Does it run on Linux?
A Linux version is coming soon. For now it runs on Windows 10 and 11.
What happens if I stop paying for Advanced?
Your mod and its files stay yours, and you can keep editing it with the Essentials Edition. The Advanced editors stop working until you subscribe again.
Changelog
Updated 15 October 2026.
Stop juggling the tools.
Download the Essentials Edition and have a working mod before you finish reading the wiki.
Download for Windows