Crowbar
Crowbar is a free Windows tool for modding games built on GoldSource and Source Engine.
What Crowbar is
Crowbar is a free Windows tool for modding games built on GoldSource and Source Engine. It can decompile, compile, and view GoldSource and Source models, and it can unpack, inspect, and search several game package types: Valve VPK, Garry's Mod GMA, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines VPK, Tactical Intervention FPX, and Fairy Tale Busters APK. It can also package folders as Valve VPK or Garry's Mod GMA files. Its model decompiler can recreate QC, mesh, animation, and procedural-bone files, while batch workflows process files in a chosen folder and its subfolders. Crowbar can download Workshop items and publish them for several games. It runs on Windows XP or later and requires .NET Framework 4. Model compiling needs the game's authoring tools or SDK and studiomdl.exe; viewing models requires authoring tools or an SDK and hlmv.exe. The latest release shown is version 0.74, dated February 2023.
Good
- Free plan with no paid tiers stated
- Handles several game package formats
- Supports batch compile and decompile workflows
- Can download and publish Workshop items
Watch out
- Requires Windows XP or later and .NET Framework 4
- Model compiling requires game authoring tools or SDK
- Model viewing requires authoring tools or SDK
Who it suits
Crowbar suits Windows users working with GoldSource or Source Engine game models, packages, or Workshop content. It is also relevant to modders who need batch model processing or package repacking.
Verdict
Crowbar brings model workflows, package handling, and Workshop functions together for GoldSource and Source Engine modding. Check its Windows and game-tool requirements before relying on its model viewing or compiling features.
Plans and prices
From Crowbar's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Crowbar | Free | No paid tiers stated; donations are optional |
The facts
Each one read from Crowbar's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Batch processing
- Decompile and compile workflows support processing files in a selected folder and its subfolders.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Build architecture
- The maker says public releases are built as Release x86 using Visual Basic in Visual Studio Community.checked 4 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 4 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Model workflows
- It can decompile, compile, and view GoldSource and Source models.checked 4 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Packaging
- It can pack folders into Valve VPK and Garry's Mod GMA package files.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Crowbar is a tool for modding GoldSource and Source Engine games.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Source availability
- The Steam group links to source code, and the maker says source code has been available since version 0.19.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker points users to its guides, tutorials, articles, reference materials, Discord modding channel, and Steam discussions for help.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Version
- The release page identifies Crowbar 0.74 as the latest release shown there, dated February 2023.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Workshop
- It can download items from Workshop and publish items to the Workshop for several games.checked 4 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 4 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Windows requirements
- The requirements page states Windows XP or later and .NET Framework 4 are required.checked 4 Oct 2026
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