What is a .VMAP_C file?
A .VMAP_C file is a special type of computer file used by certain video games, like DOTA 2 and a game called Robot Repair. These games are built using something called the Source 2 engine, which is a tool that helps game developers create and run their games. The ".VMAP_C" part of the file name tells you that this file is a compiled map file. This means it contains a detailed design of a game's world, including where things like paths, bases, healing spots, defensive structures, places where characters can get power-ups, neutral monster areas, shops, and other important parts of the game are located.
To make a .VMAP_C file, game developers start with a .VMAP file, which is like a blueprint or a draft of the map. They use a program called Hammer Editor to turn this blueprint into a .VMAP_C file, which the game can then use. Think of it like turning a sketch into a detailed painting that can be displayed in a gallery. Once the map is compiled into a .VMAP_C file, it's packed into a .VPK file, which is a kind of container that the game can open and use.
If you're interested in making or changing maps for games that use the Source 2 engine, you would use the Valve Hammer Editor. This tool is part of something called the Source SDK and the DOTA 2 Workshop Tools. With these tools, you can create your own game worlds or modify existing ones. After you're done designing your map in the Hammer Editor, you have to compile it, which is a bit like saving your work so the game can use it.
The programs that can open .VMAP_C files include Valve DOTA 2, the Valve Hammer Editor, and the Valve DOTA 2 Workshop Tools. These tools are specifically designed for working with games that run on the Source 2 engine.
The introduction of .VMAP_C files came with the launch of the Source 2 engine, replacing the older .BSP files used by the previous version of the engine. While DOTA 2 is the most common game you might associate with .VMAP_C files, other games that run on the Source 2 engine can use them too. So, if you're into game development or just like to tweak your gaming experience, these are the files and tools you'd be interested in.
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