How to open SHSim.act file?

[treblesum81]

I've zeroed in on this file as containing some information and variables that I'm going to need to change for a project that I'm working. From the looks of it, the file is somewhat similar to the .dat, .sim, etc files, but I've not had any luck getting it open for me to work in it. If anyone has had any experience working here, or at least any ideas about it, please share.

Thanks

[Sailor Steve]

Skwasjer's S3D should do the job.

[Madox58]

You'll need a hex editor.
:yep:

[treblesum81]

Skwasjer's S3D should do the job.

I already tried that... its an unsupported file format.

You'll need a hex editor.
:yep:

This much I was able to figure on my own, but I've never been a wiz-kid with hex editors, so I don't really know what I'm looking at. I also found that, since the file seems to be multi-layer like many of the S3D format files, I can find the base information I need, but all of the variables and settings below that are all gibberish. I guess if anyone can manage some help or direction here, I would really appreciate it.

[Ducimus]

Skwasjer's S3D should do the job.

No it won't, and i believe this is by design.

You'll need a hex editor.
:yep:

Yup.


Just as an FYI, amongst some modders i know, editing the ACT file is tantamount to hacking an exe, and crosses an ethical line. Personally, I don't really have a firm stance on it either way, so i don't really give a crap, but it's something to be aware of as posting edited ACT files could raise a fuss.

[Hitman]

But not all ACT files are the same? The map terrain colours is also contained in an ACT file in SH3, and I don't think anybody would consider changing it a hack? :hmmm:

[Madox58]

The .act files are much like a .dll file.
Somethings can be changed but it's trial and error.
With little returns for the most part.
I did manage to get the freaking birds to do some weird things.
But that was not what I'd call a success!
Most seem to be directors to the main dll files,
with information for use by Kashimer or other in-house tools.

[skwasjer]

You cannot distribute the ACT files. And S3D only opens game content-files.

[Seeadler]

With Dependency Walker you can take a look inside a ACT file and see the functions the file exports (like a DLL)
http://www.dependencywalker.com/

http://s3.directupload.net/images/100608/temp/3gygla7h.png (http://s3.directupload.net/file/d/2184/3gygla7h_png.htm)

[treblesum81]

Just as an FYI, amongst some modders i know, editing the ACT file is tantamount to hacking an exe, and crosses an ethical line. Personally, I don't really have a firm stance on it either way, so i don't really give a crap, but it's something to be aware of as posting edited ACT files could raise a fuss.

You cannot distribute the ACT files. And S3D only opens game content-files.

Figures... I finally find a way to accomplish something I've been having trouble with and it leads me straight to a place where I can't share if I want to...

[Captain J. Borne]

Figures... I finally find a way to accomplish something I've been having trouble with and it leads me straight to a place where I can't share if I want to...

I'm going to release a multiplayer mod that allows U-Boats to be played in multiplayer/lan. :)