Crowbar vs OpenMW-CS
Crowbar
steamcommunity.com
OpenMW-CS
openmw.orgSide by side
| Figure | Crowbar | OpenMW-CS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Modding Tools | 7.8 (#10) | 8.5 (#3) |
| Distribution | The group links to a 7Z download and says to unzip it with 7-Zip. | The downloads page lists official releases for Windows, macOS, and Linux and names OpenMW 0.51.0 as the latest release. |
| Purpose | Crowbar is a modding tool for decompiling, compiling, and viewing GoldSource and Source models. | OpenMW-CS is an editor that allows users to edit or create mods or original games. |
| Support | The group directs users to its guides, tutorials, discussions, and Dead4Mods Discord for help with using the tool and discussing its development. | The FAQ directs users with problems using compatible mods to Discord, IRC, or the forums for help. |
Plans
In their own words
Crowbar
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.
OpenMW-CS
OpenMW-CS is a free editor for making or changing mods and creating original games. Its editing tools cover files, world and mechanics data, characters, and assets, with record filters and a cell view. The editor supports plugin and script editing, mod packaging, and ESM, ESP, .omwgame, and .omwaddon formats. The project says OpenMW can run original games made with OpenMW-CS; those games do not require Morrowind. Playing Morrowind does require a legally owned copy, because OpenMW does not include its content or assets. Official releases are listed for Windows, macOS, and Linux, alongside distribution channels including Windows Chocolatey, Linux distribution repositories, and Flathub. The manual is intended as both an introduction and a reference, including for people familiar with Morrowind modding, but cautions that OpenMW-CS remains in development and the manual does not cover its shortcomings. Mods requiring MWSE, MGE XE, or MCP are incompatible because those tools modify the original Morrowind executable. The source code is released under the GNU General Public License version 3.