How to Make Custom c arms for Custom Model

Step by Step Guide to Making a Custom c_arms for a Custom Model

By Clamcy
If the custom model does not have a c_arms, it would be the default Kleiner arms.

Before You Begin

Make sure you know how to use the Blender 2.7 application as in this guide, there will be Blender tasks that may and might need to take place.
Blender 2.7 Fundamentals Playlist
Do go through this YouTube playlist by the offical Blender Youtube Channel on Blender 2.7 Fundamentals.
It consists of 41 videos, ranging from 2 to 16 minutes duration per video.

Installation - What you will need to have for this guide

Blender 2.79
Do make sure to check the Requirements
Blender Source Tools 2.10.2
There is no need to unzip this.
VTFEdit
c_arms Model
Crowbar
Unzip using 7zip.
It is recommended to go through the tutorials on these addons before proceeding down this guide.
Blender Tutorial Video

Blender Setup

Open Blender
Go to File > User Preferences... > Add-ons > Install Add-on from File...
Find and Click on Blender Source Tools 2.10.2
Tick the box, Save User Settings and Close Blender User Preferences

Getting the Model File from Addons

If you have not, Open Steam > Library > Garry's Mod > Workshop > Search for a Model > Subscribe to the Addons
Make sure the model you are using is not a ragdoll but a playermodel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oet1SJ3yhE0
Watch this video as a reference but it might be outdated or not the optimized way.
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\GarrysMod\bin\gmad.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\GarrysMod\garrysmod\addons
Run gmad.exe and drag the .gma file into gmad.exe window. A new folder would be created.
If this does not work, try clicking on the .gma file and the folder should be created.[1][2]
Open Crowbar > Decompile tab > In MDL input, Browse for .mdl in the recently created folder. In Output to, set the Work folder. > Click Decompile

Model Importation

Open Blender > File > Import > Source Engine > Go to the Work Folder path > Click on ref.smd file > Import SMD/VTA, DMX, QC
You are done with this part if you have ref.smd file. If there is no ref.smd file, you have to follow the instruction below:
File > Import > Source Engine > Go to the Work Folder path > Click on every .smd file and leave out .qc & physics.smd > Import SMD/VTA, DMX, QC
Delete the skeleton: To the right, select only the skeleton and move your mouse over to the Viewport. Press X to open and press D or click to delete the skeleton.
Grouping the meshes: So, you should have only the meshes now. While your mouse is in the Viewport, Press A to select all the meshes. Press Ctrl + G to group them together. Press Ctrl + J to join them together.
Change from Object Mode to Edit Mode.
Separate the hands. -oops, that is all I know.[Imzcared]-

Amiya model

List of bones

If there is ref.smd file, process below.
Next is to delete some of the bones.
Here is the list of the bones that you shouldn’t delete:

ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Clavicle
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_UpperArm
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Forearm
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Hand
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Finger0
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Finger01
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Finger02
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Finger1
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Finger11
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Finger12
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Finger2
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Finger21
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Finger22
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Finger3
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Finger31
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Finger32
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Finger4
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Finger41
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Finger42

ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Clavicle
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_UpperArm
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Forearm
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Hand
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Finger0
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Finger01
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Finger02
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Finger1
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Finger11
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Finger12
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Finger2
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Finger21
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Finger22
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Finger3
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Finger31
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Finger32
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Finger4
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Finger41
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Finger42

ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Thigh
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Calf
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Foot
ValveBiped.Bip01_R_Toe0
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Thigh
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Calf
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Foot
ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Toe0
ValveBiped.Bip01_Spine4

Skeleton Example

Deleting the body

After that starts deleting the body but keeps the arms.

Example of hands model.

After that make sure the pose the arms if there are rigging issues

Miku Hands

Next, export your c_arms and then open the c_arms blend

If you see this text screen it’s found click the

text editor.

and then change it into 3d view

Miku hands and skeleton we will use.

As you can see there are the skeleton arms we will use for our custom c_arms

Posing and applying Miku's skeleton to custom arms

Pose your arms in the same pose as the miku_append_reference don’t worry to get a perfect size just pose it the same pose as the miku_append_reference arms model.

Amiya hands posing with Miku hands

After that, you need to apply the armature or change the object into to miku_append_reference skeleton

Armature modifier

And then select your custom skeleton and also the custom c_arms and then press space, search apply object transform this is to make sure to not make the model come back to their original position and check all the little box in your bottom left screen.

Object property

Select your mesh and go to edit, if it’s back to its original position then you need to redo the process of applying the object transform

After that delete the miku_append_reference mesh and also your custom skeleton, and then try to pose your arms to see if it’s a problem.

IMPORTANT pose your model before export.

To reset the rotation, scale, and position, press alt+r to reset the rotation, alt+g reset location, alt+s reset scale. Go to pose mode, select all press A, and then set the start frame to 0, end to 1, and current frame to 0. Press I and click LocRotScale go to the Miku skeleton that we just use and then rename it to idle.

Item property

Hit export

QC

	Next, open your qc and type this as the following.

$modelname "path_name\name_of_mdl.mdl"

$bodygroup "hands" { studio "Model_name.dmx/smd" }

$surfaceprop "flesh"

$contents "solid"

$cdmaterials "material_path"

$sequence "idle" "anims\idle.dmx" { fps 30 }

$includemodel "weapons/c_arms_animations.mdl"

Example:

$modelname "amiya\arknights\clancy\arms\amiya_arms.mdl"

$bodygroup "hands" { studio "Amiya_Arms.dmx" }

$surfaceprop "flesh"

$contents "solid"

$cdmaterials "model\amiya\arknights\clancy\"

$sequence "idle" "anims\idle.dmx" {

fps 30 }

$includemodel "weapons/c_arms_animations.mdl"

Crowbar

After that open crowbar go to compile Click Qc input, search your qc and done. And then Output change it to subfolder and compile

Crowbar

After compiling click Use in View and view your arms.

Compiling model with crowbar

After that click options and center view, next, go to sequence and change the animation that you prefer

Animation test in HLMV

Ok, almost there but we need to do some Lua so create a Lua file and copy this code in your Lua file

Lua

In the Lua file copy and paste this code to your Lua file and make sure to save it!

player_manager.AddValidHands( "Name your model what you want", "path/mdl_name.mdl", 0, "00000000" )

Example: player_manager.AddValidHands( "Arknights - Amiya", "models/amiya/arknights/clancy/arms/amiya_arms.mdl", 0, "00000000" )

Example folder path

After that you want to organize your folder something like this, make sure the folder is in the correct path otherwise the engine will not read it.

Folder example

Example:

$modelname "amiya\arknights\clancy\arms\amiya_arms.mdl"

Folder path example.

So the Lua folder is where is the Lua file located, the materials folder where is the textures and materials or Vtf and Vmt, and the models where is your model is located.

Run Gmod

Ok, copy your folder into the steam\steamapps\common\GarrysMod\garrysmod\addons and paste it run the game, and enjoy! ^-^