If a model is invisible, try to reboot Source FilmMaker, make a new session (without loading a map), open the model browser, select the model, close the model browser (without spawning the model into the session, only previewing it), then immediately look at the console (by clicking "Windows" > "Console" at the top of Source FilmMaker). Please copy and paste the last 10-15 or so lines here.

As for the maps, when you load them, do you get an error about missing "HDR" or something?

@Zappy Yes, I do believe the error said something about an HDR.

In that case, the map does not have high dynamic range ("HDR") lighting compiled into it, which Source FilmMaker pretty much "requires" to look right. You can get around it by right-clicking the viewport, disabling lighting, right-clicking the viewport, and re-enabling lighting, but you'll still be pretty limited in many lighting-related regards, I think.

Engee Ackbar64 lähetti viestin:

copy the materials, models, lua, etc

As an aside, don't bother copying Lua - it's a scripting language that SFM doesn't support.
(I guess it won't do any harm, but there's still no point in keeping it in your SFM folder).

As a late update on my situation, I've sort of gotten the maps to work, but if I try to check out an invisible model, I noticed that the model doesn't have a wireframe but still has a collision model. Additionally, the console says something like:
Failed to load models/!
Binding uncached material "potterywheelpanelwireframe", artificially incrementing refcount

Any indication what that could mean when trying to load up an invisible model?

Try copying and pasting the 5 or so lines before and (if applicable) after those two lines you just posted.

After I open up the invisible model or when I try to load it?

Refer to comment #1 of this thread to find out when.

Zappy lähetti viestin:

If a model is invisible, try to reboot Source FilmMaker, make a new session (without loading a map), open the model browser, select the model, close the model browser (without spawning the model into the session, only previewing it), then immediately look at the console -

This is what I had on my console so far:
Initializing python...
Registering sfm import module into python
1> Running script...
Unknown command "mp_waitingforplayers_time"
NET_GetBindAddresses found 10.0.161: 'Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265'
Opened Steam Socket client(0): listen socket handle ( 1 )
Opened Steam Socket server(1): listen socket handle( 65538)
Network: IP 01.0.0.0.161, mode MP, dedicated No
Port client = 27005
Port server = 27015
Port hltv = 27020
Stopping All Sounds...
Steamworks Stats: Received CLIENT session id: 1432401866525
CreateEvent: event 'show_class_layout' not registered.
CreateEvent: 'show_class_layout' not registered.
Not playing a local game.
Binding uncached material "potterywheelpanelwireframe", artificially incrementing refcount
MDLCache: Failed load of .VVD data for corrin.mdl

Dunno what this long string of code is supposed to indicate though.

Engee Ackbar64 lähetti viestin:

- MDLCache: Failed load of .VVD data for corrin.mdl -

This is the very line you're looking for. This line means the model files have to be located at/as
-/SourceFilmmaker/game/[folder]/models/corrin.mdl (and .vvd and .dx90.vtx)

So in short, the MDL file shown in that error is the path the model should be located at, starting at
-/SourceFilmmaker/game/[folder]/models/

(Most commonly, people get errors from having it in -/models/models/- instead of just -/models/-.)

@Zappy So, should I move the .mdl file directly into the models folder? And does that same process also apply to certain models that don't appear on the actual model menu in SFM? (Just another thought that popped up in my head)

Engee Ackbar64 lähetti viestin:

- So, should I move the .mdl file directly into the models folder? -

No. But in this specific case, you should move the .mdl and .vvd and .dx90.vtx files directly into the first "models" folder. (The .vvd and .dx90.vtx files are both just as important as the .mdl file, and they all have to be at the correct place.)

Engee Ackbar64 lähetti viestin:

- And does that same process also apply to certain models that don't appear on the actual model menu in SFM? -

If they give an "MDLCache: Failed load of .VVD data for [path].mdl" error in the console, then make sure the .mdl, .vvd and .dx90.vtx files are located at
-/SourceFilmmaker/game/[folder]/models/[path].mdl (and .vvd and .dx90.vtx)
I tried my best to explain this in my previous post, but of course, without examples, it can be confusing. So... Here are some examples of .VVD errors, and where the files would go:

MDLCache: Failed load of .VVD data for spaceship.mdl
This error means the model files should be located as -/game/[folder]/models/spaceship.mdl

MDLCache: Failed load of .VVD data for player/hwm/scout.mdl
This means the model should be at -/game/[folder]/models/player/hwm/scout.mdl

MDLCache: Failed load of .VVD data for models/ratchet.mdl
This means the model should be at -/game/[folder]/models/models/ratchet.mdl

Any occurence of an .mdl file here should be accompanied by a .vvd and .dx90.vtx file at least.

I hope these examples explain the meaning of the error to you well enough.

Models often have .phy, .dx80.vtx and .sw.vtx files too. These are mostly unneeded by Source FilmMaker, but can be with the .mdl file if you want.



...Or if the models don't give an error in the console despite not showing in the model browser, but they do have a wireframe if you enable that option, and they do show up normally in the map itself when spawned, they just use some material parameters the model browser doesn't like a lot. Don't worry too much about that.

@Zappy That's my problem, please help me

Failed to load models/f_anm.mdl!
Failed to load models/!
Binding uncached material "potterywheelpanelwireframe", artificially incrementing refcount
MDLCache: Failed load of .VVD data for players/trish_una.mdl
Failed to load models/!
Failed to load models/m_anm.mdl!
MDLCache: Failed load of .VVD data for models/mush/mush_pm.mdl

@Zappy I studied everything carefully, tried different variations of your solution, but it didn't help(((

Осенний БОБА lähetti viestin:

- MDLCache: Failed load of .VVD data for players/trish_una.mdl -
MDLCache: Failed load of .VVD data for models/mush/mush_pm.mdl

These lines say that these models' MDL, DX90.VTX, and VVD files must be located at...
-/SourceFilmmaker/game/[folder]/models/players/trish_una.[extension]
-/SourceFilmmaker/game/[folder]/models/models/mush/mush_pm.[extension]
(With "[folder]" being any active search path.)