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SPECIFICTION
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Crowbar

steamcommunity.com

Free plan Windows
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Spec score 7.8 #8 of 24 in Game Asset Extractors

What it is

Crowbar is a free modding tool for working with GoldSource and Source models and game packages. It can decompile MDL and related files into QC, SMD, and other related files, and can compile models when the game’s authoring tools or SDK and Crowbar’s studiomdl.exe are available. Viewing models likewise requires the game tools or SDK and Crowbar’s hlmv.exe. For archives, Crowbar can unpack, view, and search Valve VPK, Garry’s Mod GMA, Bloodlines VPK, Tactical Intervention FPX, and Fairy Tale Busters APK files. It can pack folders into VPK and GMA packages and supports batch extraction. Workshop functions allow downloading and publishing items for supported games. Game setups can link a game folder to its compiler, viewer, and package tools. On Windows, file associations and drag-and-drop can open VPK, QC, MDL, and folder inputs. The requirements page lists.NET Framework 4 and Windows XP or later, or Linux or Mac OS with a way to run a.NET Framework program. Crowbar is listed at free; donations are optional.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Crowbar is a modding tool for decompiling, compiling, and viewing GoldSource and Source models.Read 7 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
Support
The group directs users to its guides, tutorials, discussions, and Dead4Mods Discord for help with using the tool and discussing its development.Read 7 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
Compilation requirement
Model compiling requires the game's authoring tools or SDK and its own studiomdl.exe.Read 7 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
Distribution
The group links to a 7Z download and says to unzip it with 7-Zip.Read 7 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
Game tools integration
Game setups can specify a game's folder and its model compiler, model viewer, and package packer or unpacker.Read 7 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
Model decompiling
It decompiles MDL and related files into QC, SMD, and related files, with support for a stated range of MDL versions.Read 7 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
Model viewing requirement
Model viewing requires the game's authoring tools or SDK and its own hlmv.exe.Read 7 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 files.Read 7 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
Packing
It can pack folders into Valve VPK and Garry's Mod GMA package files.Read 7 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
Platform requirements
The requirements page lists Windows XP or later, or Linux or Mac OS with a way to run a .NET Framework program, plus .NET Framework 4.Read 7 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
Source code
The requirements and features page says source code has been available since version 0.19.Read 7 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
Windows integration
Crowbar can be configured to open VPK, QC, MDL, and folder inputs through Windows file associations and drag-and-drop.Read 7 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
Workshop
It can download items from Workshop and publish items to the Workshop of several games.Read 7 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
Workshop support
Release 0.74 added Workshop publishing support for Codename CURE, Entropy: Zero 2, FIREFIGHT RELOADED, Hunt Down The Freeman, JBMod, Military Conflict: Vietnam, and Wilson Chronicles.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Crowbar Free No paid plans stated; donations are optional Read 7 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com

Every Crowbar plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Decompiles MDL files into related model formats
  • Unpacks and searches several game archive formats
  • Packs folders into VPK and GMA packages
  • Supports Workshop downloads and publishing
  • Source code has been available since version 0.19

Limits

  • Model compilation requires game tools or an SDK
  • Model viewing requires game tools or an SDK
  • Requires .NET Framework 4
  • Distribution is a 7Z download

Who it suits

Crowbar suits game modders working with GoldSource or Source models, archives, and Workshop items. Users compiling or viewing models need the game’s authoring tools or SDK as well as the relevant Crowbar executable.

Verdict

Crowbar covers model and archive tasks for GoldSource and Source modding, with Workshop support as well. Check the tool and platform requirements before relying on its compiling or viewing functions.

Where Specifiction places it

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