Welcome test subject to Aperture Science!
Here are the applications you need to start testing:
Applications:
Portal 2, of course
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
VTF Plugin for GIMP
vpk.exe (To make the pak01_dir that you will need later on into a .vpk file)
VTFEdit (On Setup, tick both boxes for it to associate with both .vmf and .vtf files)
GCFScape (To open up .vpk files)
RAD Video Tools (To make a image/video into a .bik video file so the mod can read it and it will show up on main menu)
Any Text Editor (I use Notepad++)
Any File Explorer (Just use Windows Explorer XD)
And... Let's see... That's actually it for now. Let's continue onto Part 2 now.
(Making your mod playable)