How to open SHSim.act file?

treblesum81 · 06-06-10, 02:02 PM

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 · 06-06-10, 02:16 PM

Skwasjer's S3D should do the job.

06-06-10, 02:25 PM

You'll need a hex editor.

treblesum81 · 06-06-10, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Skwasjer's S3D should do the job.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by privateer

You'll need a hex editor.

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 · 06-07-10, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Skwasjer's S3D should do the job.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by privateer

You'll need a hex editor.

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 · 06-07-10, 04:10 PM

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?

06-07-10, 08:28 PM

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 · 06-08-10, 02:26 AM

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

Seeadler · 06-08-10, 06:20 AM

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/

treblesum81 · 06-08-10, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducimus

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skwasjer

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 · 05-01-11, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treblesum81

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.

06-06-10, 02:02 PM	#1
treblesum81 Frogman Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 308 Downloads: 71 Uploads: 0	How to open SHSim.act file? 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

06-06-10, 02:16 PM	#2
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Skwasjer's S3D should do the job. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

06-07-10, 04:10 PM	#6
Hitman Pacific Aces Dev Team Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Spain Posts: 6,109 Downloads: 109 Uploads: 2	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? __________________ One day I will return to sea ...

06-08-10, 02:26 AM	#8
skwasjer The Old Man Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Netherlands Posts: 1,549 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 3	You cannot distribute the ACT files. And S3D only opens game content-files. __________________ S3D - Silent 3ditor (v0.9.9) - S3D homepage - Open sourced S3D file parser API's - SUBSIM thread SH5 mods: Speech Recognition for SH5 \| Digital UI Clock Tutorials: [TEC] Import/export 3D models to/from game using S3D [TEC] How to work with the model viewer in S3D - VIDEO

06-08-10, 06:20 AM	#9
Seeadler Pacific Aces Dev Team Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Northern Germany Posts: 1,096 Downloads: 169 Uploads: 0	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/ __________________ -- Vapor-ware is always easier to sell because there's no limit what it can do!

06-06-10, 02:25 PM	#3
Madox58 Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	You'll need a hex editor.

06-07-10, 08:28 PM	#7
Madox58 Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	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.