VTF Layout

[wet slate]

This image is taken off a random search result on Google. I am making a weapon that needs a custom model and texture. However, the VTF is made with a playermodel, meaning that the VTF of my weapon has the torso of a playermodel connected to it. Now I thought I could just crop out the torso parts and use the remaining parts for my VTF, BUTT, after digging around a bit I saw that the VTFs of other weapons are positioned in a very specific way, such as the pic I have posted.

My question is, how do I know how to position my textures in the VTF? Or am I wrong and I could actually just cram them into one VTF in a random order?

[sturdy meadow]

This is a model you have created or did you download it? You can just ignore the parts of the vtf you won’t need

[wet slate]

This is different than the model I am using actually. I'm not so sure if I can post the one I'm working with here, author permissions and all that.

[wet slate]

When it comes to applying the VTF onto the model, do I have to apply part by part?

Sorry if it sounds dumb lol, first time doing something like that

[sturdy meadow]

Kinda? A model’s vertices has U, V data that tells the game engine which part of the texture to pick when rendering the triangle.

You can UV unwrap your model or just parts of the model in blender with the U hotkey.

[wet slate]

Ah I see

So I can just use the one with the torso attached, don't even have to edit it or anything?

[sturdy meadow]

Yeah