Knowledge Base

A map in CS 1.6 is made up of several types of files, each placed in a different folder on the server. Not all maps include all files - it depends on the author.

File Type - Main file ; Extension - .bsp ; Description - Required. The map itself - geometry and structure
File Type - Textures ; Extension - .wad ; Description - Additional textures (if not embedded in the .bsp)
File Type - Sky (skybox) ; Extension - _bk, _ft, _lf, _rt, _up, _dn.tga ; Description - Sky textures
File type - Models ; Extension - .mdl ; Description - Objects in the map (barrels, boxes, etc.)
File type - Sounds ; Extension - .wav ; Description - Sound effects specific to the map
File Type - Sprites ; Extension - .spr ; Description - Visual effects

Server Folder Structure
All files are located inside the main mod folder - cstrike/:

cstrike/
├── maps/ ← .bsp files
├── models/ ← .mdl files
├── sound/ ← .wav files
├── sprites/ ← .spr files
└── gfx/env/ ← skybox textures

Step by Step

1. Get the Map Archive
Maps are usually distributed as .zip or .rar files. Extract the archive on your computer and see what files it contains.

2. Place the .bsp File
This is the only required file. It goes into:
cstrike/maps/
Example: de_dust2_snow.bsp -> cstrike/maps/de_dust2_snow.bsp

3. Place the remaining files (if present)
1. .wad files -> cstrike/
2. .mdl files -> cstrike/models/
3. .wav files -> cstrike/sound/ (keep the original subfolder structure if there is one!)
4. .spr files -> cstrike/sprites/
5. Skybox files (6 in total, named like de_sky_bk.tga) -> cstrike/gfx/env/

Important: Many archives already contain the correct folder structure. In that case, simply copy the contents directly into the main cstrike/ folder.

4. Add the map to the rotation (optional)
Open the file cstrike/mapcycle.txt and add the map name without the extension, on a new line:

de_dust2
cs_office
de_dust2_snow

5. Check that the map loads
In the server console, type:
changelevel de_dust2_snow
If the server changes the map without errors - everything is set up correctly.

Common Issues
"The server won't load the map" -> Check that the .bsp file is in cstrike/maps/ and that the name is spelled correctly.
"Clients see pink/black textures" -> Missing .wad files or models. Check the archive contents again.
"Sounds are missing or broken" -> The sound files are not in the correct subfolder. For example cstrike/sound/ambience/wind.wav, not just cstrike/sound/wind.wav.
"The skybox is black" -> The skybox files are missing from cstrike/gfx/env/.

Tip: If you're not sure which files are needed, run the map locally in CS 1.6 and check the console - it will show which files it cannot find.