User created mod tools?

[Ardri]

I have been a fan of the TW series since Shogun and TW mods since Rome, but I haven't ever been committed to modding myself as it seemed like by the time I got to Rome I was already too late to take up modding it. However, since ETW is just out and I enjoy playing mods so much I figure now is as good as time as ever to start learning and figuring things out.

With that in mind I was wondering what mod tools the community here generally uses and which seem to be the best. Thanks in advance.

[pevergreen]

Theres a sticky thread over at TWC with the best unpacker, then just grab a hex editor, and you're "free" to go.

Don't expect to acomplish a lot (like new factions) yet.

[Ardri]

Thanks for the direction, and just based on my limited experience in making minor adjustments to text files on stuff like EB and the other assorted mods I have played I have very limited expectations and know it is a long and complicated process to be able to do significant modding, but we all have to start somewhere.

Edit: Seems like they have several unpackers over there in the sticky, you recommend one over the other?

[pevergreen]

The first post. It has a GUI and is able to repack, correct?

[Ardri]

I was looking at another sticky thread with a list of 10 or so mod tools, but I believe I found the one you are referencing. PackFileManager 1.7.1 by LtChambers is the one I found.

[pevergreen]

Correct, that is the best one out there right now.

[Ardri]

Ok, I'm messing around with this tool, and I have to say it is really impressive, but after I unpack a file then is that where the hex editor comes into play to open the unpacked file?

[pevergreen]

To be able to edit it, yes.

[Ardri]

I appreciate all the input you have given me. My last question is if you recommend any hex editor in particular. Seems to be a ton out there to choose from and I'm not really a fan of downloading something based on a google search.

[pevergreen]

http://niels.horn.tripod.com/hexedit/

Thats the one I use.

[Ardri]

Thanks again!

[pevergreen]

I live to serve.

[Mr Frost]

I live to serve.

In that case , I'll have the special fried rice , mongolian beef with cashews and sweet and sour pork please .

[pevergreen]

numma 69?

[Makanyane]

Beef in black bean sauce to go please..


while I'm waiting, on subject of hex editors - the one above seems to have some nice functions (like highlighting changes) - the one I've used in the past was
http://www.chmaas.handshake.de/delph...vi32/xvi32.htm
previously recommended by Muizer for editing RTW geography.db files, it does some extra bits like decoding and encoding some of the funny number formats that were used in that... not sure if any of those will crop up in ETW though.

[Legionaire]

I have problems opening PackFileManager.exe application, it mentioned "this application failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect ......"

anything which i need to do?

Thanks in advance.

[pevergreen]

Is it in its own folder?

They used to (may still do) share a commonly named file with a few other mod tools. Its best to have them all in a seperate folder.

[Legionaire]

Is it in its own folder?

They used to (may still do) share a commonly named file with a few other mod tools. Its best to have them all in a seperate folder.

What do u mean own folder? I have downloaded the packfilemanager.exe from twcentre.

[pevergreen]

Is it the latest file?

Have you downloaded any other mod tools?

[Legionaire]

Is it the latest file?

Have you downloaded any other mod tools?

Yup, version 1.1b.

No other mod.

Thanks

[Legionaire]

this software requires the .NET Framework 2.0.

How do i check if i have this in my windows?

[pevergreen]

If it is giving you that error, you don't have it.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

Download link.

[Legionaire]

Whats the diff between patch.pack and main.pack?

[pevergreen]

When the game was originally installed, main.pack contained the main files. It still does.

The way CA patch E:TW means that they add changed files to patch.pack

This means basically the original files are still in main.pack, but when you load the game, any files in a .pack folder that is labeled a 'patch'.pack (not just patch.pack) overwrite anything in an original.

In the same way, any conflicting files in a .pack labeled as a 'mod'.pack overwrite any in a patch.pack which causes a lot of mods to stop working after a patch, as new files are needed, and they arent in the mod pack.

[Legionaire]

this software requires the .NET Framework 2.0.

How do i check if i have this in my windows?

Downloaded NET Framework, but yet still couldn't opened PackFileManager.

What could be the problem??

[pevergreen]

is it still the same error?

[Legionaire]

is it still the same error?

same problems opening PackFileManager.exe application, it mentioned "this application failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect ......"

[pevergreen]

Try uninstalling/deleting reinstalling. might do something.

[Legionaire]

Try uninstalling/deleting reinstalling. might do something.

Tried, doesn't help. I have reverted to using 1st version of PackFileManager, it works but could not edit some DB files. It states "Unhandled exception has occured in your application ......

[Legionaire]

I am running on retail game v1.3.1, could this be a problem?