I'm finding source an absolute pain to work around, Valve didn't make it easy. Thanks to Source being Source, I've decided to make an engine switch, now this is a very idiotic idea, but I've been considering switching to a patched Leak engine. Why? Because everything I could ever need is pre-made in the beta engine, apart from models and maps. Now, there's multiple patches, all of which are amazing, such as LeakNet, Megapatch and The Axel Project. The Axel Project attempts to make the engine more like the retail, however, LeakNet fixes broken files and restores the old engine.
It's just an option, but a viable one.
you can also use Coterminus when it will be realesed.if you dont know Coterminus is a hl2 mod that adds old hl2 beta weapons,npc and models to retail.i think will come out with some kind of sdk to add new maps with these new features. but the mod hasnt been realesed yet., so don't change your idea for now.(im not a Coterminus and i dont know when Coterminus will come out)
I'm well aware of Coterminus, however I do appreciate your help. I believe it will support an SDK, for now I'm going to use Megapatch plus LeakNet.
I certainly would support an engine switch [especially leaknet, that project is the bee's knees]. Fairly hard to beat authenticity when recreating something. I hope this project fares well, given that what little i have seen looks quite nice.