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Appropriateness of asking about or posting file format information.

  1. #1
    ThomasT
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    Appropriateness of asking about or posting file format information.

    Hi!

    I am a Mac user and have the Mac version of Homeworld 2. I am currently working on developing Mac Modding tools, but have had difficulty finding information on the low-level file format of the .big file. What I want to do is be able to create archives on the Mac.

    Now, as it turns out, after a great deal of hunting all over the Internet, I finally found a limited amount of information on the file format (not in these forums, but at Source Forge). With that, and through my knowledge of Unix command line tools and also the existing RDN Homeworld 2 tools for Windows, I have deciphered almost all of the format. I can, in fact, extract the files without a problem.

    However, there is a small amount of information I still haven't deciphered that is needed to create archives (what I'm really interested in). So here are my questions:

    Is it appropriate on these forums to discuss the format of various files used by Homeworld 2? Would it be allowed to post what those formats are?

    Please note that this has NOTHING to do with cracking or warez! Someone is going to have to have a full version of Homeworld 2 to be able to do anything with these tools. Rather, this is related to extending the life of the Homeworld 2 game, and I wish to help the community on the Mac platform with that in mind.

    So, what is the policy for this? Others have written big file archiving tools, and I have yet to receive any response from them, so I am appealing to the Relic forum moderator(s) (and others in-the-know) for some guidance.

    Thanks!
    Last edited by ThomasT; 28th Feb 06 at 7:17 PM.

  2. General Discussions Senior Member Modding Senior Member  #2
    Philosophizer Locutus's Avatar
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    Go right ahead and post in Tanis shipyards.

    On behalf of the RDN moderator staff I welcome you, have fun!
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    What we have here is a case of the living dead running amok and making an administrative burden of themselves.

  3. #3
    Member darkelf's Avatar
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    What Loc said.

    It's always nice to expand the modding community.
    "We are the most civilised race in the world. We have more exquisite ways to kill than any other."
    Lord Vraneth the Cruel, master of Har Ganeth
    Formerly DarkelfLord

  4. Child's Play Donor Technical Help Senior Member General Discussions Senior Member Boardwars Senior Member  #4
    Gimme your lunch Moeney! Moe's Avatar
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    Knock yourself out. The mac community will probably build a statue of you for this.

  5. #5
    In Hibernation EarthBorn's Avatar
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    A very well formatted question, we have few people ike that here.
    Welcome to Relic Forums.

    P.S, Guys I'm back here




  6. #6
    Member Benjamin's Avatar
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    Welcome to the forums,

  7. Tabletop Senior Member  #7
    What a handsome fella AridMonk's Avatar
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    Welcome to the fora. Nice post by the way.

  8. #8
    ThomasT
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    Thanks for the positive reception!

    Thank you all for a very warm reception.

    Moe, you may be right about the statue comment, considering the scarcity of tools. I cracked up all day, every time I remembered what you said. However, I most humbly can say that the honor will be shared with all those who help me by sharing their knowledge.

    Locutus, thanks for the go-ahead. I've got some posts to make...

    Now, on to related questions. The FAQ states that the forum may have an attach feature enabled. It appears that this feature is disabled here. Am I correct? If so, then what is the best way to "persist" documents and code? For example, I'd like to document the .big file format in a PDF and post it, as well as eventually share the source code for my tool(s). In addition, I wrote a PDF describing clearly, in a way I haven't seen before here, the build hierarchy for the stock Homeworld 2 game. I would like to share this as well. Since I don't have much web space to speak of, what is the best way to present this information to the appropriate forums?

    Secondly, because of when the Mac version of homeworld 2 was released, we Mac users are coming in a bit late in the game. I solicited some help from the tool building community in the Homeworld 2 Advanced Modding Lab List of Tools sticky thread with narry a response. It seems
    The ancient tool builders have left long ago, and we who remain can but marvel at their handiwork.
    Seriously, I know I can track down (some of) the email addresses of the various individuals who created the tools. However, quite frankly they may have just "moved on" and are not even looking at these posts any more, and their email addresses may be dead or just missing. So, since some of you all may be familiar with them and know how to contact them, who amongst the moderators/administrators/staff would be the best to ask about them?

    Again, thanks for your welcome!

  9. General Discussions Senior Member Modding Senior Member  #9
    Philosophizer Locutus's Avatar
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    I would firstly recommend posting in the Tanis GD, people check it more than the modding lab.

    As to the question about attachtments, this feature is only enabled in a few specific forums. You'll either need webspace of your own, or get someone who does to host them for you. Heck, if you are making tools, you could probably even get Delphy to host them for you if you asked nicely enough. (he owns the server this forum is on, and is involved in modding)

    Also, I would recommend you talk to Zatch (another Tanis moderator) about tools.

    Glad to have you here

  10. #10
    ThomasT
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    Detailed description of the .big file format

    Locutus, thanks for the info.

    I have posted in the Relic Forum Advanced Modding Lab a detailed description of the .big file format.

    Note that I have edited this post a few times to provide up-to-date information.
    Last edited by ThomasT; 5th Mar 06 at 1:16 PM.

  11. #11
    I'm still around...

  12. Child's Play Donor Technical Help Senior Member General Discussions Senior Member Boardwars Senior Member  #12
    Gimme your lunch Moeney! Moe's Avatar
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    You'll either need webspace of your own, or get someone who does to host them for you.
    That'd be me. PM me if you need hosting.

  13. #13
    ThomasT
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    Macintosh HW2 BIG archive tool completed

    I have completed the bigar Macintosh BIG archive tool. Moe, in case you don't see my PM first, if you could please let me know how to get the archive to you. It is about 488 KB in size.

    As for anyone else reading this who happens to have a Mac, this message is for you as well. Take courage. The BIG archive tool is the start. I'll see what other tools I can create for you all.

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