What is MIME type "model/vnd.valve.source.compiled-map"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

The MIME type model/vnd.valve.source.compiled-map is used by compiled map files for the Valve Source engine. These files, like BSP, hold pre-processed level data ready for fast loading in games.
They store the map's spatial geometry, lighting details, and entity placements. This format optimizes performance during gameplay by pre-calculating complex data.

Main Use: Storing and quickly loading game level data in Valve Source titles.
Efficient Rendering: Contains pre-compiled spatial data to speed up graphics rendering and collision detection.
Game Optimization: Reduces in-game processing by handling complex geometry and lighting beforehand.

For more detailed technical insights, visit the Valve Developer Community.

Associated file extensions

.bsp

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: model/vnd.valve.source.compiled-map

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="model/vnd.valve.source.compiled-map">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');    
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {    
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'model/vnd.valve.source.compiled-map');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.bsp

FAQs

What file extension is associated with model/vnd.valve.source.compiled-map?

This MIME type is exclusively associated with the .bsp file extension. These files contain compiled map data for games running on the Valve Source engine, such as Half-Life 2, Team Fortress 2, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

How do I configure my web server to serve BSP files for FastDL?

To ensure game clients download maps correctly via FastDL, you must define the MIME type. In Apache, add AddType model/vnd.valve.source.compiled-map .bsp to your configuration or .htaccess. For Nginx, add model/vnd.valve.source.compiled-map bsp; inside your types { } block.

Can web browsers render this MIME type directly?

No, standard web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) cannot render Valve Source compiled maps. Because the browser does not recognize the binary format, it will typically prompt the user to download the file to their disk instead of displaying it.

Can I edit a file with the model/vnd.valve.source.compiled-map type?

Not directly, as this is a binary, compiled format optimized for loading speed, not editing. To modify a map, you generally need the original source file (.vmf) to edit in the Hammer Editor; however, tools like BSPSource can attempt to decompile bsp files back into an editable format.

Should I compress these files when hosting them for game servers?

Yes, it is highly recommended to compress these files using bzip2 (creating a .bsp.bz2 file) for HTTP Fast Download servers. The Source engine client automatically handles the download and decompression, significantly reducing bandwidth usage and wait times for players.

Is the model/vnd.valve.source.compiled-map type safe to open?

Generally, yes, as these are data files loaded by a game engine. However, they can contain embedded resources or scripts; you should only download and load map files from trusted servers to avoid potential exploits within the game engine's parser.

General FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.