Try Noesis

How do i make smd_bone_vis object visible and selectable so I can edit it?

You could add SWEP.ViewModelFlip = true into your lua code so it is mirrored without messing with model.

Steam/steamapps/common/<Gamename>/bin/

A full compile log would be informative

qc script must include flex controllers defined inside

https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Flex_animation

> my shape keys are not the same as they were in Blender

Would be better to see the differences.

> %eye_blink1 = eye_blink1
> %eye_blink2 = eye_blink2

You don't seem to have these flexes, but you have eye_blink. Replace those lines with:

%eye_blink = eye_blink

Also, your dmx should already include those flexes if you exported with 'Simple' flex controllers, so you don't need .vta file and vta-related stuff in qc.

Just leave default Binary 2 Model 1, this should be working.

Move the camera to the position of 1st p view and see through it as reference