YOU HAVE REVEALED THE SECRET. :O
But yes, a work-in-progress version of the model is already present in the game, and can be tested by finding your
settings.cfg file and changing:
C_USE_NEW_PLAYER_MODEL = false
to
C_USE_NEW_PLAYER_MODEL = true
This should allow skinners to get a head start, making the transition easier for players and especially helping those who do machinima. For those who bothered to read this far in the comments, consider this your reward.
Feel free to spread this knowledge around. The texture currently present ingame, the multicolored noisy grid, was a texture I was using to get the vertices of the UV map perfectly aligned with the space the skin is supposed to occupy, the space the skin template will define when it is released.
Note that there are some slight errors in the UV map present in the current build, slight inconsistencies that have been since fixed. The head, in particular, was the culprit. So while skinners can get started right now, your head will need a little adjustment later if you use the current preview model.
Also, some of the animations are already ingame for the preview model; specifically, try going into third person and then selecting your pistol. You will draw the pistol and hold it, as well as aim up and down.
And wolfboyft, I\'m not sure what you\'re referring to. I took a look at the model and it appears to be behaving normally, no sorting issues which is what it sounded like you were implying. If you\'re referring to the way the shoulder can sort of stick through the torso in the back, that\'s a vertex position and weighting issue and will be fixed.
The model available for early testing is a rough draft, so to speak, just testing to see that the model loads without unexpected issues.
There\'s nothing wrong with loading up the work-in-progress model and taking a look, so feel free. (That goes for anyone interested.) Just remember that it is an early test version and does not represent the quality of the final product.