Exporting Maps

Source 2 Viewer can export maps in two ways: as glTF for use in 3D software like Blender, or decompiled to .vmap for editing in Hammer Editor.

Finding Maps

Maps are stored as .vmap_c files inside VPK archives or as standalone VPK files.

• Official maps: Each map is stored as its own VPK file (e.g., de_dust2.vpk) in the game's maps/ directory. Inside the VPK, the map data is at maps/<mapname>.vmap_c alongside a maps/<mapname>/ folder containing world nodes, entities, cubemaps, and other dependencies.
• Workshop maps: Stored as individual VPK files in Steam's workshop directory, which can be opened directly with Source 2 Viewer

WARNING

Some games include map files with a _vanity suffix (e.g., de_dust2_vanity.vmap_c). These are truncated versions used for main menu backgrounds. Use the version without the suffix instead.

Previewing Maps

Double-click a .vmap_c file to open the 3D map viewer. The viewer renders the full map with textures, props, and lighting.

The map viewer uses free-flight camera by default. Move the mouse to look around, and use WASD to move. Hold Alt+drag to orbit around a point, Shift+drag to pan, and scroll to adjust movement speed.

Press X to toggle walk mode, which enables FPS-style movement with collision and gravity. Click on objects in the scene to select and inspect their entity properties.

Export to glTF

Use this workflow when you want to view or render the map in Blender or other 3D software.

1. Open the map's VPK file in Source 2 Viewer
2. Navigate to the .vmap_c file
3. Right-click and select Decompile & Export
4. Choose glTF as the format (GLB is also available but has a 2 GB size limit)
5. Select a save location and click Save

The export includes:

• Map geometry (brushes and meshes)
• Textures (exported as PNG files alongside the glTF)
• Props and models placed in the map
• Basic material information

TIP

Map exports can be large. For a typical CS2 competitive map, expect the export to produce hundreds of texture files alongside the glTF.

Importing into Blender

1. Open Blender
2. Go to File → Import → glTF 2.0 (.gltf/.glb)
3. Select the exported map file
4. The map imports as a single scene with materials and textures applied

Decompile to .vmap

Use this workflow when you want to open the map in Hammer Editor for editing or study.

1. Open the map file in Source 2 Viewer
2. Right-click the .vmap_c file and select Decompile & Export
3. Choose vmap as the file type
4. Save to your Workshop Tools addon content directory (see folder structure below)
5. Launch Hammer Editor through Workshop Tools and open the decompiled .vmap

Folder Structure

The exported .vmap file and its dependency folder must be placed correctly inside your addon content directory. Your folder structure should look like this:

Counter-Strike Global Offensive/content/csgo_addons/your_addon/
└── maps/
    ├── cs_office.vmap
    └── cs_office/
        └── <map dependencies>

The .vmap file sits right next to its matching folder, both inside maps/ in your addon content.

WARNING

If a maps/ folder was exported alongside your .vmap file, you may need to move the .vmap file inside that maps/ folder. Exporting outside addon content may not work as expected.

DANGER

Do not use a decompiled map as your first mapping project if you are new to mapping! Decompiled output is messy and does not resemble how real .vmap files are made. Learn the basics of Hammer Editor first.

WARNING

Map decompilation is not a perfect round-trip. The output will be imperfect:

• Models will be merged by material across the map
• Parts of the skybox mesh might be missing
• Collision will be merged into one mesh using special materials
• The map will lack lightmap resolution volumes
• Hammer meshes will be triangulated

The decompiled map is useful for learning and reference, but should not be expected to recompile identically.

Prerequisites for Hammer

To open decompiled maps in Hammer, you need the game's Workshop Tools installed:

1. In Steam, right-click the game → Properties → DLC
2. Enable and install the Workshop Tools DLC (available for CS2, Half-Life: Alyx, etc.)
3. Launch the Workshop Tools and create an addon if you haven't already
4. Save your decompiled .vmap into the addon's maps/ folder

Batch Map Export

For exporting multiple maps or automating the process, use the command-line utility:

Source2Viewer-CLI -i "maps/de_dust2.vpk" -o "exported/" -d

See the command-line utility guide for more options.

Limitations

• glTF export includes geometry, textures, and props but not lighting, game logic, or navigation meshes
• vmap decompilation may produce maps that don't compile perfectly due to data loss in the decompilation process
• Very large maps may take significant time and memory to export