Half-Life: Alyx VConsole Commands for VR Developers and Modders

by Kent Bye, Voices of VR Podcast

Posted on April 20th, 2020. (Last updated April 21st, 2020)

This is a guide meant for VR developers and modders to use some of the VConsole commands and 2D tools for navigating Half-Life: Alyx for the purpose of modding and exploring the experiential design of this VR experience. The experience is best when experienced in VR, but there are some things that are actually easier and better to do in 2D if you're intention is to analyze how some of the maps and experiences were put together.

You need to add this to you Properties (Right Click on HL:A), and then "Set Launch Options" -console -vconsole -dev

LAUNCH HL:A and then hit the ` key (i.e. the ~ key, but without the shift)

This will bring up the VConsole where you can run commands

How to use the Cheat console https://gameranx.com/features/id/194871/article/half-life-alyx-how-to-use-the-cheat-console-console-commands-guide/

God mode & Weapons

Enable cheat codes

sv_cheats 1

Invincible

god

Be invisible to enemies, so they don't bother you when debugging

notarget

All weapons

impulse 101

All upgrades

impulse 102

All ammo

sv_infinite_ammo 1

Never reload

sv_infinite_clips 1

get SMG early

give item_hlvr_weapon_rapidfire

Take damage, but not die.

buddha

Look at the game logic and trigger points -- Unpack sound cues, and other functions on objects.

ent_messages_draw 2

FLY THROUGH WALLS w/ Mouse & Keyboard - HMD is disabled

Enable flying around

vrfly_enabled 1

Get hands out of the way:

vrfly_nohands 1

change flying speed

vrfly_speed 250

Jump back to VR

vrfly_enabled 0

DEVELOPER MODE for in VR

Link: https://steamah.com/half-life-alyx-how-to-open-the-in-game-developer-menu/

Enemies ignore you

notarget

Query the properties of any item -- Hard to delete these and can get clutter, but super fascinating. Use with Developer Tools

ent_text

SHOW COMPUTER CODE TRIGGERS

Enable showing functions being run & triggers

ent_messages_draw 2

Disable showing functions being run & triggers

ent_messages_draw 0

good to show the map triggers

showtriggers_toggle

PHYSICS

Draws Physics collision mesh for all models

cl_ent_vcollide_wireframe

Where are you at in a map like a virutal GPS or Metaverse Positioning System

Show current x, y, z coordinate

cl_showpos 1

Show current map

cl_showfps 1

GREAT FOR SEEING OVERVIEW OF MAP AREAS

Performance intensive, but see all of the trigger boxes - Helps map out pathways of a map when flying around

showtriggers_toggle

ENEMIES

enemies don't follow you - disables them - notarget is awesome!!!

notarget

See enemey AI path

ai_path_draw 1

PLAYER LOCATION

Get your current location

getpos

Set location

setpos 72.4312 4059.9707 84.0000

TOGGLE LIGHTING - Use in conjunction with Developer Mode in VR

Turn off lighting on objects - Goes dark

mat_fullbright 1

Turn lighting back on

mat_fullbright 0

Gives you an in-world spherical probe to measure the lighting in a scene. Works best in VR

cl_lightquery_debug 1

See the lighting volume and lightprobe *.vtex source file

r_light_probe_volume_debug_colors 1

HIGHLIGHTs indirect lighting (jumps out)

r_indirectlighting 0

Ruturn to balanced lighting

r_indirectlighting 1

Turn off direct lighting

r_directlighting 0

SOUND

List all soundscape entities on that current level

sv_soundscape_printdebuginfo

...
-------- SOUNDSCAPE ENTITIES -----
- 0: a2_train_yard_main x:1485.3621 y:-1786.7152 z:61.8798
- 1: a2_train_yard_post_crash x:72.4312 y:4059.9707 z:84.0000
----------------------------------

lists all sounds loaded within a scene

soundlist

] soundlist
( 4b) 143616 : sounds\weapons\rapid_fire\wpn_rapid_fire_fire_lfe_01.vsnd
( 4b) 190672 : sounds\weapons\rapid_fire\wpn_rapid_fire_fire_tail_01.vsnd
( 1b) 603725 : sounds\ambient\startup\amb_startup_metal_09_l.vsnd
( 4b) 544068 : sounds\weapons\shotgun\wpn_shotgun_fire_tail_04.vsnd
( 1b)  90993 : sounds\ambient\nature\amb_c17_crow_caw_11.vsnd
( 4b) 116512 : sounds\weapons\pistol\wpn_pistol_fire_lfe_03.vsnd
...
( 1b) 301227 : sounds\ambient\startup\amb_loading_screen_end_impact_01_rs.vsnd

L( 1b) 813697 : sounds\ambient\startup\amb_startup_wind_lp_01_r.vsnd ( 1b) 474696 : sounds\ambient\startup\amb_startup_metal_02_ls.vsnd ( 1b) 553743 : sounds\ambient\startup\amb_startup_metal_07_r.vsnd Total: 70.41 MB

Lists all sound files played in a soundscape

soundinfo

SDL Audio Device: ### OS_Default_Device
Channels:	2
Bits/Sample:	32
Rate:		44100
Active Voices: 9
0: sounds\ambient\startup\amb_startup_metal_02_l.vsnd (80000033 :: 80000047)  [2.8s]
1: sounds\ambient\startup\amb_startup_metal_02_r.vsnd (80000034 :: 80000048)  [2.8s]
2: sounds\ambient\startup\amb_startup_wind_lp_01_l.vsnd (8000001e :: 80000025)  [48.6s]
3: sounds\ambient\startup\amb_startup_wind_lp_01_r.vsnd (8000001f :: 80000026)  [48.6s]

Dump Current soundscape index (0-225) -- Full list down below

soundscape_dumpclient

Client Soundscape data dump:
  Position: 1908.16 1229.62 37.66
  soundscape index: 131
  entity list index: 1
End dump.

Displays the name of a sound effect whenever it plays

snd_new_visualize 1

Examples of how to search through closed captioning transcripts

cc_findsound "russell" cc_findsound "Alyz" cc_findsound "<" cc_findsound "."

LISTS ALL CLIENT SOUNDSCAPES in alphabetical order

sv_soundscape_printdebuginfo

LISTS ALL CLIENT SOUNDSCAPES in assigned number order (clustered in the same scene) (226 total)

cl_soundscape_printdebuginfo 1

------- CLIENT SOUNDSCAPES (226 total) -------

0: train_yard_combat
1: warehouse_alarm
2: peeling_paint_main
3: cavern_creepy_sizzle_lp
4: creepy_amb_lp_01
5: excavation_caverns_01
6: creepy_hallway_01
7: a2_pistol_skylight
8: a2_pistol_skylight_intro
9: a2_pistol_skylight_outro
10: a2_pistol_traincar
11: a2_pistol_traincar_transition
12: a2_pistol_traincar_transition_02
13: creepy_trainyard_interior_01
14: a1m1_intro_intro
15: a1m1_follow_scanner_intro
16: generator_puzzle_01
17: a3_tenements_falling_debris
18: vort_puzzle_chimes_first_room
19: vort_puzzle_chimes_main_room
20: vort_puzzle_random_main_room
21: vort_puzzle_random_first_room
22: vort_puzzle_water
23: vort_puzzle_wet
24: vort_puzzle_first_room
25: vort_puzzle_main_room
26: vort_puzzle_main_room_big
27: vort_puzzle_sanctum
28: automatic
29: automatic_dialog
30: e3_techdemo_gmanspeaking
31: e3_Techdemo_02
32: e3_Techdemo_03
33: e3_Techdemo_05
34: e3_Techdemo_06
35: e3_end
36: Nothing
37: GenericIndoor
38: GenericOutdoor
39: cabin
40: cabin_outdoor
41: test_tvset
42: test_funny_noises
43: smalltown_sounds
44: smalltown.util_train_horn
45: streetwar.util_combine_atmosphere
46: streetwar.util_rubble
47: streetwar.util_sirens
48: streetwar.util_light_sirens
49: streetwar.util_zombie_infested
50: streetwar.util_light_combat_atmosphere
51: streetwar.util_heavy_combat_atmosphere
52: streetwar.util_muffled_light_combat
53: streetwar.util_light_combat
54: streetwar.util_medium_combat
55: streetwar.util_heavy_combat
56: streetwar.util_drips
57: streetwar.util_fardrips
58: streetwar.general_indoor_light_combat
59: streetwar.general_indoor_medium_combat
60: streetwar.general_indoor_heavy_combat
61: streetwar.general_outdoor_light_combat
62: streetwar.general_outdoor_medium_combat
63: streetwar.general_outdoor_heavy_combat
64: streetwar.rooftop_heavy_combat
65: xen_foliage_01
66: a0_startup_main
67: distant_construction_int
68: distant_construction_ext
69: distant_hl_activity_int
70: distant_hl_activity_ext
71: a1_futuretrain_passby_01
72: a1_brick_warehouse_int
73: a1_lab_train_car_int
74: a1_intro_boxcar_passbys
75: a1_intro_boxcar_start
76: a1_intro_boxcar_stopping
77: a1_intro_boxcar_arrive
78: a1_intro_boxcar_ext
79: a1_intro_sscape0
80: a1_intro_int1
81: a1_intro_int_hahn
82: a1_intro_ext1
83: a1_intro_rooftop_main
84: a1_intro_street_level_main
85: a1_intro_street_level_main_02
86: a1_intro_02_main
87: a1_intro_02_point_source
88: a1_intro_02_bad_side_of_town
89: a1_intro_02_lab
90: a1_intro_m1
91: a1_intro_ext_rooftop
92: a1_lab_ext
93: a1_intro_citadel_reveal
94: a1_test
95: a2_pistol_basement
96: a2_pistol_traincar
97: a2_pistol_main_base
98: a2_pistol_main
99: a2_pistol_main_traincar
100: a2_hideout_basement
101: a2_hideout_point_source
102: a2_hideout_main_base
103: a2_puzzle_room_base
104: a2_hideout_main
105: a2_hideout_puzzle_room
106: a2_hideout_puzzle_sanctum
107: a2_quarantine_vents_and_lights
108: quarantine_outside_base
109: quarantine_chimes_int
110: quarantine_outside
111: quarantine_basement
112: quarantine_transistion_basement
113: quarantine_basement_transition
114: quarantine_entrance_ext_wood_building
115: train_yard_traincar_int
116: train_yard_ext_base
117: train_yard_ext_addins
118: train_yard_subterranean_base
119: a2_trainyard_underground_main
120: a2_trainyard_underground_transition
121: a2_trainyard_exterior
122: a2_trainyard_exterior_deep
123: a2_trainyard_exterior_deep_transition
124: a2_pistol_steam_pipes
125: a2_pistol_vents_and_lights
126: a2_pistol_chainlink
127: a2_pistol_skylight_debris
128: a2_headcrabs_tunnel_vents_and_lights
129: a2_headcrabs_tunnel_main
130: a2_drainage_main
131: a2_train_yard_main
132: a2_train_yard_post_crash
133: tenement_block_01
134: a3_tenements_small_room
135: a3_tenements_banging
136: a3_tenements_lobby_lights_steam
137: a3_tenements_interior_base
138: a3_tenements_interior_01
139: a3_tenements_interior_02
140: a3_tenements_basement_lights_vents
141: a3_tenements_basement
142: a3_tenements_subbasement
143: a3_tenements_small_room_xen
144: a3_tenements_basement_xen
145: a3_tenements_basement_hall
146: a3_tenements_bathroom
147: a3_tenements_interior_small_room_transition
148: a3_tenements_interior_test
149: a3_tenements_mixed_01
150: a3_tenements_interior_03
151: a3_tenements_interior_04
152: a3_c17_processing_plant_base
153: a3_c17_processing_plant_exterior
154: a3_c17_processing_plant_start
155: a3_c17_processing_plant_construction
156: a3_c17_processing_plant_post_construction
157: a3_tenements_interior_base_quiet
158: a3_tenements_interior_rooftop_base_01
159: a3_tenements_interior_rooftop_scary_01
160: a3_tenements_interior_rooftop_open_area_01
161: a3_tenements_interior_rooftop_scary_hallway
162: a3_hotel_rooftop_attic
163: a3_tenements_interior_rooftop_scary_multilevel_room
164: a3_tenements_interior_rooftop_scary_puzzle_room
165: a3_tenements_exterior_combine_bridge
166: a3_tenements_warehouse
167: a3_tenements_subterranean_01
168: a3_station_street_greenhouse
169: a3_tenements_subterranean_tall_room
170: a3_station_street_sub_basement
171: a3_station_street_ext_base
172: a3_station_street_ext
173: a3_station_street_int_ext_transition
174: a3_station_street_vents
175: a3_station_street_lights
176: a3_underground_pit_basement
177: a3_underground_pit_subbasement_base
178: a3_underground_pit_subbasement
179: a3_underground_pit_ext_base
180: a3_underground_pit_ext
181: a3_underground_pit_int_ext_transition
182: a3_underground_pit_hotel_int
183: a3_tenements_warehouse_int_base
184: a3_tenements_warehouse_hall_base
185: a3_tenements_c17_skylight_base
186: a3_tenements_warehouse_int
187: a3_hotel_street_exterior
188: a3_hotel_street_main
189: a3_distillery_exterior
190: a3_distillery_main
191: a3_distillery_tunnels
192: antlion_caves_main
193: a4_c17_antlions_start
194: a4_c17_antlions_main_01
195: a4_c17_antlions_spillway_ext
196: a4_c17_antlions_int_ext_transition
197: a4_c17_ext_base
198: a4_c17_antlions_ext_city
199: a4_tanker_yard_main
200: a4_c17_antlions_main_02
201: a4_water_tower_main
202: a4_water_tower_exterior_tower
203: a4_water_tower_end_building
204: a4_water_tower_post_collapse
205: a5_strider_debris_and_destruction
206: a5_strider_building_traincar_base
207: a5_strider_building_subterranean_01
208: a5_strider_building_subterranean_traincar
209: a5_strider_building_02_debris_and_destruction
210: a5_strider_building_02_subterranean_01
211: a5_strider_building_03_subterranean_01
212: a5_strider_building_subterranean_02
213: a5_strider_building_interior_base
214: a5_strider_building_interior_01
215: a5_strider_building_interior_02
216: a5_strider_building_interior_03
217: a5_strider_building_interior_04
218: a5_strider_building_interior_05
219: a5_strider_interior_exterior_01
220: a5_strider_falling_debris
221: a5_vault_start
222: a5_vault_end_hallway
223: a5_ending_start
224: a5_ending_garage
225: a5_ending_space
PLAYING DEBUG SOUNDSCAPE: -1 []
CURRENT SOUNDSCAPE: 131 [a2_train_yard_main]

Navigate to the different World Maps

map startup
map a1_intro_world
map a1_intro_world_2
map a2_quarantine_entrance
map a2_pistol
map a2_hideout
map a2_headcrabs_tunnel
map a2_drainage
map a2_train_yard
map a3_station_street
map a3_hotel_lobby_basement
map a3_hotel_underground_pit
map a3_hotel_interior_rooftop
map a3_hotel_street
map a3_c17_processing_plant
map a3_distillery
map a4_c17_zoo
map a4_c17_tanker_yard
map a4_c17_water_tower
map a4_c17_parking_garage
map a5_vault
map a5_ending

CORRESPONDENCE OF CHAPTERS, SCENES, AND SOUNDSCAPES

CHAPTER #1: ENTANGLEMENT

map a1_intro_world

83: a1_intro_rooftop_main
84: a1_intro_street_level_main
85: a1_intro_street_level_main_02
84: a1_intro_street_level_main