The error might be caused by using completely different skeletons in the "stolas.smd" and "output.smd" files. I can easily see this by opening both in something like WinMerge or Notepad++ and looking at the "nodes" section near the top of each file.

Thanks for the bug report. I will attempt to fix this for next release.

WORKAROUND: Delete the addon.json file before opening Crowbar.

Using Crowbar 0.71, I unpacked and decompiled the breen model found in Garry's Mod. All files were created, including the mesh SMD files.

For your experience, maybe not all the model files were unpacked, or maybe the Crowbar settings were not set to decompile all files.

Suggestion 1:
When unpacking a model from a Source engine VPK, make sure to grab all files with same name. For example, the breen model in Garry's Mod is made up of 5 files, not just the MDL file:
Suggestion 2:
When decompiling, click the "Use Defaults" button first to make sure all files will be decompiled.

Please read and follow this to make a good bug report: https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/groups/CrowbarTool/discussions/1/540744475032019971/

Without that info, no one can help. None of us can read minds or see your computer system.

To fix the error, give the $model a name (any name will do; it is not be used in-game or anywhere else in the file).
In other words change line 5 from: to:

I was mistaken in my last post where I said the workaround is to set the 64-bit gmad.exe in Set Up Games tab. The game setup has no effect on which gmad.exe is used for Publish.

You get access to the 64-bit gmad by using a different branch of Garry's Mod via Steam Library > Garry's Mod > Properties > Betas. The branch/beta is probably "x86-64". You should not need any beta code; just select the branch and wait for it to update. This adds a Win64 folder to the "GarrysMod\bin" folder. Make backup of "GarrysMod\bin\gmad.exe" (this is the 32-bit version). Copy "GarrysMod\bin\Win64\gmad.exe" (64-bit version) to "GarrysMod\bin" overwriting existing gmad.exe, if needed. Crowbar should then be calling that gmad.exe.

If you want to switch back to the main branch, choose "None" from the betas/branches list and wait for it to update back to main branch.

And, before you ask ... yes, I have already changed Crowbar for next release to automatically use the Win64 version if it exists. And no, I do not know when the next release will be.

Thanks for the reply.

I knew about your tool, but figured it would help me to understand how to mod CSGO manually. I'll check it out.

Both of the other issues you mention here, I have already worked on the last several days. The "buffer issue" is really just a "QC cutoff" issue, and I know the cause; I am considering the options of how to fix it. The missing $bodygrouppreset issue has already been fixed and should be in the next release.

Is this bug still occurring?

If so, how do I mod CSGO to see a recompiled model (for debugging)? I have set up a special mod folder with gameinfo.txt, the copied "panorama/fonts" folder and copied "scripts\items\items_game.txt" file. CSGO opens with the shortcut set up to use that mod folder.

I tried viewing the recompiled awp view model in the main menu Inventory awp Inspect, but none of my material or texture changes showed up, so not sure if I have the correct model or if the Inspect option would not show the issue.

You should probably have asked in the Garry's Mod forum because the error is due to the gmad tool that Crowbar calls to create the GMA file to upload. You should see that indicated in the Publish log.

I am not sure, but I think the error means the file is too big for gmad to work with, possibly because it is the 32-bit gmad being used. If this is the case, the workaround is to set the 64-bit gmad.exe in the Garry's Mod game setup in Crowbar's Set Up Game tab.

Not sure what you are doing, but Crowbar only writes to an SMD file when it is decompiling.