Installing the Mod Tools
From Infinity Ward Community Wiki
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Get the Mod Tools Archives
CoD4 Mod Tools are available as a ZIP archive from a number of locations. The list of download sites is here. Be sure to get the main archive (cod4mw_modtools_v1.zip) and any patches (e.g., cod4mw_modtools_v1.1_update.zip, etc.). As of this writing (3/27/08), there is only the main tools archive and the v1.1 patch.
The main tools archive is over 600MB, so if you need something to do while that's dribbling in over your 56k modem, why not...
Back up your Game Install!
Basically, we're just going to make a copy of the entire CoD4 install directory. This will require about 7GB of additional space, plus you're going to need another GB+ to install the Mod Tools and of course you'll need work space on your drive after that. So if you don't have that much space available on your hard drive, you should obviously skip this step and just keep your fingers crossed.
Either way, backing up your game is optional but it may save you having to completely reinstall CoD4 if something gets messed up. I know - that never happens when using unsupported tools... 8^) but still...
- First, make sure you've updated / patched your game to the most current version (1.5 as of this writing).
- In Windows File Explorer, locate the install directory for the game. By default, this is
[drive]:\Program Files\Activision\Call of Duty 4 - Modern Warfare. Right-click and select Copy.
http://maps.giantcity.net/img/CopyTheGameDirectory.jpg (not allowed to upload files at the moment, so just click)
- Locate the directory where you want to paste the copy. It's probably best to place this outside the Program Files directory. My
E:drive has lots of space, so I'll paste intoE:\GameDev. Right-click the directory where you want to put the copy and select Paste.
This copy will take a while, since it's a lot of stuff. When done, you should have a (backup) copy of your game install.
http://maps.giantcity.net/img/PastedIntoNewLocation.jpg
Install the Mod Tools
You can install the Mod Tools and patches to your original game directory or into your backup copy. I'll be putting mine into the backup copy on the E: drive. If you want, you can put yours directly into your game installation directory - just adjust drives and directory names below accordingly.
Using WinZIP or WinRAR, open the cod4mw_modtools_v1.zip archive. Before extracting, you should double-click on and read the readme.txt file in the root directory of the archive. This contains critical information about the patch level needed for your game install, video requirements, etc. It also contains a shorthand installation procedure, which works fine if you choose to follow it.
- In WinZIP:
- Select Actions / Extract from the main menu.
- Navigate to your original game installation directory, or the backup you just made.
- Ensure that the Use folder names checkbox is CHECKED.
- Click the Extract button.
http://maps.giantcity.net/img/WinZIP-Extract.jpg
- In WinRAR:
- Select Commands / Extract to the specified folder from the main menu.
- Switch to the Advanced tab and be sure the Extract relative paths radio button is selected.
- On the General tab, navigate to and select your original game installation directory, or the backup you just made.
- Click OK.
http://maps.giantcity.net/img/WinRAR-Extract-2.jpg | http://maps.giantcity.net/img/WinRAR-Extract-1.jpg
The extraction will take a while. Hey, it's over a GB of stuff you're getting - for free! - so be patient.
You may get some popup warnings about overwriting existing files. Click Yes or Yes to All for these.
Install the Patch(es)
Install any patches the same way you extracted the main Mod Tools archive. Again, click Yes or Yes to All for any popup warning messages about overwriting existing files.
If you're using Vista (rotsa ruck!) you may have to open the patch archive in WinZIP or WinRAR and drag / drop the patched files directly into the directory containing the originals.
Run a Test
To be sure everything is set, create the program shortcuts as instructed in the INSTALLATION section of the readme.txt file. You can copy those to your desktop for easy access. Then perform the steps in the RUNNING THE TOOLS section. See the compile tools getting started page in this wiki for more details.
Run COD4CompileTools using the shortcut you created. Select the mp_test map from the list and click the following buttons in sequence (let each task finish): 1. Compile BSP, 2. Compile Reflections, 3. Build Fast File and 5. Run Selected Map.
If you installed the Mod Tools to a brand new install of the game (or a backup of a fresh install), you may need to create a player profile, in which case step 5 may error out the first time. Just try it again and it should work, taking you into a lone multiplayer map containing the busted-up Chinook helicopter. Quit and exit the (test) game.
If the above doesn't work as described, then you missed or messed up a step somewhere and you'll have to go back through the steps to figure out which.
Next Steps
Now that you have the tools installed and functioning, where do you go to get started if you're not an experienced mapper/modder? Try the How-To Resource Listing page.
