Dota 2 Wiki uses icons and values extracted from Dota 2's game files. This is also a useful way to get attributes of newly released or hard-to-get cosmetic items.
VPK Tools
Windows
To open Dota 2's .vpk game files, all you will need is GCFScape.
The default installation for Dota 2 will place files at C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\dota 2\dota (or C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\dota 2 beta\dota if the game was installed during the beta). Navigate there in GCFScape and open pak01_dir.vpk. Once you have opened the vpk file, you can see directories and files. Once you have found what you want inside GCFScape, right-click and extract to the desired location on your computer.
macOS
To open .vpk files on macOS you'll need to download Gridmount.
The Dota 2 game files are located at ~/Library/Application Support/Steam/steamapps/common/dota 2 beta/game/dota. Double click the file pak01_dir.vpk and Gridmount will automatically mount the file as a virtual drive.
When you're finished, remember to unmount pak01_dir.vpk again, by either right clicking it and selecting "Eject" or by simply dragging the icon over the trashcan on the bottom right of the Dock.
Linux
Currently, there is no independent software for linux to open a .vpk file. However, there is one on windows, known as GCFScape
Do you have wine? Yes/no
If "Yes", install GCFScape (you'll be needing .NET Framework 4.0+ in your wine to run it) through that.
I'd recommend Winetricks, as it can easily help with the requirements for it. But keep in mind that it isn't officially supported by WineHQ.
Your Dota 2 game files are located in ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/dota 2 beta/game/dota.
Warning
Set it as a default application for the files you want upon completion of installation. Since .steam as a folder is a system file and isn't visible by default to the file browser available in wine.
Useful locations inside pak01_dir.vpk
Cosmetic item data
/scripts/items/items_game.txt
This is where all the cosmetic item attributes are defined—rarity, slot, hero, associated custom animations or effects, default gems, etc. You can also see contents of sets and treasures.
Cosmetic item icons
/panorama/images/econ
Most cosmetic item icons. Loading Screen icons are the same icon as the set icon
/panorama/images/cursor_pack
Custom cursor item icons.
Interface customizations
/panorama/images/loadingscreens
.vtf files of loading screens in their original resolution. Use VTFEdit to view/convert.
/panorama/images/huds
Image files for HUD skins.
/panorama/images/emoticons
Emoticon image strips.
Hero and Announcer Audio
/sounds/vo
All voice acting for heroes and announcer / mega-kill packs can be found here in their respective sub-directories.
Game assets
/panorama/images/heroes/panorama/images/items
Hero icons, item icons, and ability icons can be found in their respective folders. Custom ability and item icons can be found here too.
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\dota 2 beta\dota\resource\dota_english.txt
Another one that is not actually inside the .vpk file. Game strings
Resource file
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\dota 2\dota\resource
Item names and descriptions can be found here.
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