Crowbar
github.com
What it is
Crowbar is a free Windows tool for modding GoldSource and Source Engine games. It can decompile, compile, and view models, as well as unpack, inspect, and search Valve VPK, Garry's Mod GMA, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines VPK, Tactical Intervention FPX, and Fairy Tale Busters APK packages. It can also pack folders into Valve VPK and Garry's Mod GMA files. Decompilation can recreate QC, mesh, animation, and procedural-bone files, while batch workflows can process a selected folder and its subfolders. Crowbar supports downloading Workshop items and publishing them for several games. The maker says Windows XP or later and .NET Framework 4 are required. Compiling models needs the game's authoring tools or SDK and its studiomdl.exe; viewing models needs authoring tools or an SDK and hlmv.exe. The latest release shown is version 0.74, dated February 2023. Help materials include guides, tutorials, reference resources, Discord, and Steam discussions.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Crowbar is a tool for modding GoldSource and Source Engine games.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Support
- The maker points users to its guides, tutorials, articles, reference materials, Discord modding channel, and Steam discussions for help.Read 4 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
- Batch processing
- Decompile and compile workflows support processing files in a selected folder and its subfolders.Read 4 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
- Build architecture
- The maker says public releases are built as Release x86 using Visual Basic in Visual Studio Community.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Decompile outputs
- The decompiler can recreate QC, reference and level of detail mesh SMD, physics mesh SMD, vertex animation VTA, bone animation SMD, and procedural bones VRD files.Read 4 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
- Game tool dependencies
- Model compiling requires the game's authoring tools or SDK and its own studiomdl.exe; model viewing requires authoring tools or an SDK and hlmv.exe.Read 4 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
- Model workflows
- It can decompile, compile, and view GoldSource and Source models.Read 4 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
- Package files
- It can unpack, view, and search Valve VPK, Garry's Mod GMA, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines VPK, Tactical Intervention FPX, and Fairy Tale Busters APK packages.Read 4 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
- Packaging
- It can pack folders into Valve VPK and Garry's Mod GMA package files.Read 4 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
- Source availability
- The Steam group links to source code, and the maker says source code has been available since version 0.19.Read 4 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
- Version
- The release page identifies Crowbar 0.74 as the latest release shown there, dated February 2023.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Windows requirements
- The requirements page states Windows XP or later and .NET Framework 4 are required.Read 4 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
- Workshop
- It can download items from Workshop and publish items to the Workshop for several games.Read 4 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
- Workshop integration
- Crowbar 0.74 added Steam Workshop publishing support for Codename CURE, Entropy: Zero 2, FIREFIGHT RELOADED, Hunt Down The Freeman, JBMod, Military Conflict: Vietnam, and Wilson Chronicles.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plans and prices
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Decompiles, compiles, and views game models.
- Unpacks and repacks several game package formats.
- Batch workflows include folders and subfolders.
- Supports Workshop downloads and publishing.
- Free to use.
Limits
- Requires Windows XP or later and .NET Framework 4.
- Model compiling needs authoring tools or an SDK.
- Model viewing needs authoring tools or an SDK.
- Latest release shown is from February 2023.
Who it suits
Crowbar suits Windows users modding GoldSource or Source Engine games who need to work with models, game packages, or Workshop items. Model compiling and viewing require the relevant game authoring tools or SDK.
Verdict
Crowbar covers model and package workflows for GoldSource and Source Engine modding, including batch processing and Workshop tasks. Check its Windows requirements and the separate authoring-tool dependencies for viewing or compiling models.
Where Specifiction places it
- Game Asset Extractors#9 of 247.8