The following list of tools needed for beginner modding
• L4D2 Authoring Tools and Source SDK
  
• a vpk extraction tool (to extract specific files from L4D2's vpk files)
  
• an image tool, such as paint net, gimp or Photoshop, for changing images (vtf files)
  
• a VTF converter tool, such as VTFEdit

The following list of tools needed for advanced modding
• a general-purpose text and binary-file tool, such as Notepad++
  
• a 3D modeling tool, such as Blender, for mesh changes
  
• a model decompiler and compiler tool
  
• a sound tool, such as Audacity, for voice/sound changes

You find the Tools on:
Steam --> Library menu --> Tools menu item



Install Left 4 Dead 2 Authoring Tools (provides HLMV and VPK tools):

• Right-click on Left 4 Dead 2 Authoring Tools
  
• click on Install Game
  
• follow the installer instructions

Start up the Authoring Tools (double-click) and an additional window open. You will see the following:




Install Source SDK (required for the MDL Decompiler tool):

• Right-click on Source SDK
  
• click on Install Game
  
• follow the installer instructions

Start up theSource SDK (double-click) and an additional window open. You will see the following:






On first start you'll get a “copying files please wait…” box come up, so be calm and wait.

A shortcut allow using HLMV (model viewer, contained in L4D2 Authoring Tools) without open up the Left 4 Dead 2 Authoring Tools. You only need to have Steam open.

• create a shortcut to "hlmv.exe"
  found (by default) in "C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\left 4 dead 2\bin\"
  
  
• match the properties of the shortcut
  - Right-click on the shortcut
  - select properties
  - select the shortcut tab ("Verknüpfung")
  
  
  
  - delete the text in the field: Target ("Ziel")
  - copy & paste into the Target field (by default):
  
  "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\left 4 dead 2\bin\hlmv.exe" -game "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\left 4 dead 2\left4dead2"

You need the VPK tool for unpacking and packing of vpk-files (addon-files).

• create a shortcut to the VPK-Tool (contained in L4D2 Authoring Tools)
  found (by default) in "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\left 4 dead 2\bin"
  
  
• change the name of the shortcut for easier recognition
  
  
• move the shortcut to a convenient location; it should be placed somewhere it is easy to reach,
  so you can drag-and-drop a folder or a vpk file onto it.
  
  for example: your "SendTo" folder or to any other folder, such as your desktop

To unpack the complete file : drag a vpk file to the vpk shortcut.
To pack: drag a folder to the vpk shortcut.

You need the Tool GFScape for looking into a vpk-file from L4D2 without unpacking it. This is useful with the game-files. You don't need to unpack the complete file. You'll be able to select and unpack single files.

Install GCFScape found on "Nem's Tools" website or use the link on this site https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/GCFScape


If you install GCFScape, make sure you associate VPK-Files with GCFScape so they'll open straight away. The files will be given icons if this has been done.

When a vpk-file is opened, the program will appear like this:

Textures must be converted to the Valve Texture Format (*.vtf) before Source can use them. The third-party tool for this is VTFEdit. It provides a graphical user interface, allows you to change a texture's properties without re-compiling it from scratch, accepts a wide range of image formats, and doesn't require the creation of script files for each and every texture.

install VTFEdit found on "Nem's Tools" website or use the link on this site
https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/VTFEdit


If you open a vtf-file you see something like this:




To convert a picture to vtf-file:
drag a picture to the VTFEdit shortcut

To extract a picture from vtf-file:
open the vtf-file with VTFEdit an export the content (File --> Export)

Notepad++ is a tool that can be used for editing both groups of files (text or binary files). It is mainly a text editor, but you can install a plugin for hex-editing binary format or a plugin in, called "language" files that allow custom highlighting to make files easier to read and edit.

• install Notepad++ found on "notepad-plus-plus" website or use the link on this site
  https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Notepad%2B%2B_VDF_languages
  
  
• Install the Valve Data Format Languages for Notepad++
  
  1. download the Valve Data Format Languages for Notepad++ by using the link on this site
  https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Notepad%2B%2B_VDF_languages
  
  2. extract the archive to %APPDATA%/Notepad++/
  %APPDATA% should automatically resolve to a full path.
  
  
• install the HEX-Editor plugin in Notepad++
  
  1. open Notepad++.
  2. klick on Plugins > Plugin Manager > Show Plugin Manager menu item
  
  
  
  3. click on "Settings" button at bottom-left corner of the Plugin Manager window
  4. checkmark the "Show unstable plugins" box
  
  
  
  5. click the "OK" button
  6. checkmark the HEX-Editor plugin in the list under the "Available" tab
  7. click the "Install" button at near bottom-right
  8. click the "Close" button at bottom-right
  9. you might need to re-open Notepad++ before using the plugin

Use a 3D modeling tool for editing meshes, texture uv-maps, and related.

• install Blender found on "blender.org" website or use the link on this site
  https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Blender
  
  
• Install the SMD and DMX import/export plugin
  
  1. download the plugin found at Blender Source Tools or use the link on this site
  https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Blender_Source_Tools
  
  IMPORTANT: don't unpack it
  
  2. Addon SMD plugin
  Blender --> File --> User Preferences --> Add-ons
  
  
  3. click on "Install from File.." button at bottom-left corner of the Blender User Preferences window
  4. checkmark the "Import-Export:Blender Source Tools" to activate the add-on
  
  
  
  5. click on "Save User Settings" button at bottom-left corner of the Blender User Preferences window to save thechangings
  
  
• You'll find a Blender 2.6 Manual here
  https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Blender#Where_can_I_learn_to_use_Blender.3F

Crowbar is a tool written by ZeqMacaw for decompiling and compiling L4D2 survivor models. There are also other tools, but the use of Crowbar is very easy and error-free.

Install Crowbar use the link on this site
http://gtm.steamproxy.vip/groups/CrowbarTool

Special Thanks to

ZeqMacaw's for his guide:
Tidbits: Modding a Left 4 Dead 2 Survivor

Splinks for his guide: Custom Survivor Replacement
http://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=142457190