That info is beyond my knowledge. I think the Source Filmmaker Discussions or Facepunch Modelling forum might be the next best place to ask.

Garry's Mod model compiler creates an MDL v48 model, and probably vertex animation using vcafile is only for MDL v49 models. No idea if Garry's Mod even supports vertex animation (besides flexes) in-game.

Thus, you should try a different game's model compiler. Check out this VDC page for more info: https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Vertex_animation

Did some testing on 3 different models. One worked, but the other 2 did not.

This 7z has the 3 SMD files I used in the tests: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1nOqs-B-ZwWPfzDxAwm7H3jcPMicyztcn

I put "fails" or "works" at the start of the file names.

I was surprised how fast they imported. I am hopeful that the two failed ones indicate a simple oversight on something.

Awesome! Thanks, I'll give it some testing as soon as I can.

I've read up on smoothing group issues both in these forums and on various Blender forums. I am convinced that it should be possible to have this plugin import a mesh that stays connected *and* keeps the proper smoothing.

I was introduced to a method that does exactly that by TFA many months ago. I have since tested the method on several models and got someone else to run his own tests. The method works.

The method is described here: https://sites.google.com/site/zeqmacaw/tutorials/importing-smoothing-groups-into-blender

Would you implement an automated form of this in the plugin? Note that there might be a need to warn the user that it could take longer to import higher-poly models.

Artfunkel, is this something I should change in Crowbar's decompiling? I have not looked at the linked models, yet, but from what you two have written, it sounds like there should be multiple VTA files.

You could try joining the Dead 4 Mods Discord server #modding channel ( https://discord.gg/4qtmzBP ), and ask about it there. Seems like there are modders there that could help with this.

I have taken a look at the files. As a test, I exported the SMD files and set up the QC to use the same file names as the exports. Then, I opened another Blender and imported the edited QC. This shows the obvious cause of the issue you described: the bones are not lined up with the mesh.

I do not know the exact changes you need to make, but I do know you need to do something like redo the weight painting, Apply Rest Pose, and/or Apply Location.

If the SMD came from a decompile, then most likely the SMD does not have all of the animation data or it is in a form that will not look correct.

Blender Source Tools does not handle VMDL files.