kHED is a lightweight, specialized 3D modeling editor designed specifically for creating low-poly game models. It is widely used in the game development community for its simplicity, speed, and seamless compatibility with retro and modern engines, particularly Valve’s Source engine.
To build game-ready 3D assets fast using kHED, you must focus on low-poly optimization, efficient mapping, and exploiting the editor’s lightweight interface. 1. Set Up and Scale
Match Engine Scale: kHED’s base units are automatically mapped 1:1 with Hammer editor units.
Load Background Templates: Use the “Adjustable Background Images” feature to import a 2D reference sketch directly into the viewport grid.
Block the Primary Silhouette: Start with basic primitive shapes (cubes, cylinders) to nail the proportions before editing vertices. 2. Streamline Low-Poly Geometry
Cut Invisible Geometry: Delete faces that the player will never see (e.g., the bottom of a crate or the inside of a pipe) to instantly drop your polycount.
Weld Coincident Vertices: Frequently use vertex welding tools to clear duplicate vertices and avoid sloppy topological errors.
Recalculate Face Normals: Use kHED’s built-in normal tools to unify surface directions, preventing texture rendering errors in-game. 3. Fast UV Mapping & Texturing
Map Unique Segments Once: For symmetrical or repeating objects (like wooden pillars or tires), unwrap a single segment first.
Duplicate and Scale: Copy the unwrapped piece to generate the rest of the object so you do not have to unwrap everything manually.
Use Native VTF Support: kHED natively handles Valve Texture Format (VTF) files. This allows you to assign textures directly without converting your files first. 4. Rigging and Exporting
Build Simple Skeletons: Use the simple internal joint tools to assign vertex weights quickly for animated objects.
Direct SMD Export: Export assets directly to the Source SMD format without needing third-party conversion scripts.
Test the Asset: Always test the exported model directly inside your destination game engine or the Valve Developer Community tools to ensure correct scaling and collision. If you want to refine your workflow, tell me:
What game engine are you targeting (Source, GoldSrc, Unity, etc.)?
What type of asset are you building (static prop, weapon, or character)? Are you running into specific polygon budget limits? kHED – Valve Developer Community
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