How to rename object names?
 

Hello,
I am modifying the game (and RA) to my liking and wonder how I can rename existing platforms/objects.

Example:
In the loading section it always annoys me that some weapons have their correct Nato designation, while others are just called "sunburn" or "mine" etc.

I'd love to give each their correct designation. But how?

There's 2 ways to do that.

1 - Delete the object, go to the respective 3d object and rename it. Create the object again with the new name.
Note: You can't rename a 3d object while it's linked to an object.
Also deleting an object also deletes other records on other tables that are linked to it so you'll also need to recreate them later.

2- Open the following database files in a Hex Editor and change the names there: 3dobject.e3d, entity.eed, object.eod

I prefer and always use method number 2, cause in the end it's just faster.
But it's more risky of breaking the database!

Hope this helps...

That's what backups are for, so method 2 sounds good to me. However, I have no experience with hex, can you recommend a tool I could use?

I use MiTec Hex Editor.

EDIT:
When renaming database objects, you also have to update the links in the USNIData.grp, otherwise you'll end up with broken links in the USNIData to the objects and 3d objects.

Yeah I already had that in mind since I'm re-building the USNI library completely as well - thanks for the heads up though!

Will try the suggested tool today, hope it is rather easy to use.